Black Ferns win Hong Kong Sevens, ABs fourth
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Defending champions New Zealand edged out fierce rivals Australia 19-14 in the women’s final to once again reaffirm their status as the best side in the world.
An eagerly-awaited clash saw the Black Ferns Sevens secure a fourth straight title in Hong Kong and maintain their recent dominance over Australia.
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It was another close-fought affair but New Zealand were worthy victors in a game which saw the brilliant duo of Jorja Miller and Maddison Levi both get on the scoresheet again.
After their sixth title of the season, Player of the Final Risi Pouri-Lane said: “To come here and play in a final at the home of Sevens Rugby – in such an iconic stadium has been an awesome privilege.
“The girls showed grit and heart and it took a whole squad effort.”
With Valladolid the next World Championship event on May 29-31, 2025 Player of the Year Miller was looking forward to another challenge.
“We love these finals – they’re the moments we live for.
“We want to keep improving and stay unbeaten in Valladolid next month – and hopefully win another title at the end of it.”
The two most dominant teams with the most storied rivalry in the women’s game both came into the final on the back of five straight wins over the weekend.
Mahina Paul – on her 25th birthday – broke from deep to open the scoring before Miller claimed centre stage, a role she seems born for, with New Zealand’s second try.
She collected a fine pass from Jaymie Kolose to race under the posts for her 41st try of a remarkable season.
Australia hit back through Isabella Nasser to make it 14-7 at the break but they lost Teagan Levi to the sinbin for a high challenge on Miller and Kelsey Teneti soon grabbed New Zealand’s third try.
Maddison Levi claimed her seventh Hong Kong try – and the 261st of her career – in the last minute but Australia fell short.
Meanwhile the All Blakcs Sevens finished fourth beaten by eventual winners South African in the semis 26-14.
Tristan Leyds’ long-range score set the Blitzboks on their way to a third straight win against New Zealand for the first time since 2018.
Sebastiaan Jobb, Shilton van Wyk, Ryan Oosthuizen added further scores before New Zealand scored twice late on through Akuila Rokolisoa and Michael Manson.
In the bronze playoff Spain edged out New Zealand 32-28 to claim a podium placement after a game for the ages.
Spain, who were already guaranteed to recorded their best-ever finish in Hong Kong, assumed early control when Tobias Sainz-Trapaga crashed over in the right corner.
He then outstripped the New Zealand defence on the opposite flank to race clear for a brilliant individual second before Roberto Ponce went over for a third.
The All Blacks Sevens scored through Akuila Rokolisoa, Brady Rush, Roderick Solo and Sam Clarke but Spain kept on coming and touchdowns from Anton Legorburu Anso (two) and Josep Serres saw them home.