On Sunday, April 19, New Zealand completed four-peat at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens after securing a 19-14 win against Australia. Captain Risi Pouri-Lane led the Black Ferns Sevens to win the Kai Tak Sports Park title after being named the Player of the Final. This was the seventh Cup Final that the Ferns have clashed against Australia. New Zealanders had won silver in the SVNS Cape Town last December.
The Black Ferns Sevens were named the HSBC SVNS Series regular season champions. Both New Zealand and Australia were unbeaten in the pool play and resulted in convincing wins in the knockout rounds. Meanwhile, France had defeated Canada for third place by 31-7.
In the game, Madison Ashby made a long-range pass to co-captain Isabella Nasser in the infield. The New Zealand team recorded some penalties early in the match, while the Australians took around 40 seconds to cross the halfway line.
The Australians had controlled their possession for two minutes before the knock-on from Kaitlan that got the Black Ferns Sevens with their first attack of the decider game. They threw the ball going left to right and back again while trying to break through the defense. The New Zealanders then struck first with Mahina Paul attempting a long-range goal.
Paul’s fast footwork got the Sevens about 50 metres to the house for the opening points. Meanwhile, Pouri-Lane added from right in front, and the team gained momentum ahead in the match. Two-time Olympic gold medallist Stacey Waaka broke downfield while getting chased by Shave. She however, managed to stay alive in the game through a pass.
RugbyPass Women’s SVNS Series MVP Jorja Miller remained composed while staying close to the line. Maddison Levi attempted a try-saving tackle.
Australia striked back through their co-captain. Nasser got the ball inside the defensive 22 before spotting a gap. Australia went down to six players for some minutes following the second-half restart. Teagan Levi got a yellow card. The Black Ferns Sevens on the other hand, settled up a set-piece play.
Olive Watherson was stopped from a try-saving tackle by Heidi Dennis but Tia Hinds got over the ball to win a penalty. Soon after Pouri-Lane wins a penalty at the breakdown. She took a quick tap inside the red zone, and passed the ball to Miller who then gave it to Kelsey Teneti for a five-pointer. The conversion attempt however got sailed off the posts, and New Zealand were holded off at 12 lead with less than five to play.
A last minute try from Maddison Levi at the touch down made it a one-score game, but the Sevens claimed the win.
