Aussie 7s ace hoping to play rivals NZ in Hong Kong final

Australia versus New Zealand is one of the greatest rivalries in rugby.

Rugby fans will never forget Jonah Lomu running down the wing during the ‘Game of the Century’ in Sydney, or the incredible battles shared between the neighbouring nations on the sevens field.

History is made each and every time these teams go head-to-head, and this year has been no different in sevens.

Reigning World Series champions Australia started the new season with a stunning Cup final triumph in Dubai, as they outclassed New Zealand 26-19.

Sevens ace Madison Ashby was named the Player of the Final, as the Australians began their title defence with a statement victory.

But New Zealand responded in Cape Town, as they beat the Aussies in that Cup final – and they didn’t stop there.

New Zealand have won four Cup finals in a row, which included another trans-Tasman decider in Vancouver.

Sitting atop of the World Series standings, the Black Ferns Sevens have shown their class this season. But the Australians are eager to bounce back.

Sevens has returned to Hong Kong for an historic weekend, with the Women’s World Series making a stop at the traditional home of the sport for the first time.

History will be made, and Australian Madison Ashby wants to do it against the Kiwis.

After beating Brazil 43-5 on the opening day, Ashby told RugbyPass that she’s hoping to play New Zealand in “the final game” of the event.

“For any team here the goal is to win at the end of the day but for us I’ll take one game at a time,” Ashby told RugbyPass.

“Hopefully New Zealand’s the final game for us but to win here in Hong Kong will be, like I said before, (it would be) an amazing feeling.”

Australia put on an attacking clinic at Hong Kong Stadium on Friday morning.

Sarah Paki opened the scoring in the second minute, before Ashby danced through the Brazil defensive line en route to the tryline.

Maddison Levi and Charlotte Caslick both crossed for doubles, while rising star Teagan Levi also added a five-pointer to the scoreboard.

“It was a good start from the girls. We went out there, executed well,” she added.

“It’s a bit hot, even though it’s raining it’s a bit muggy out there.

“We just talked about execution, using the wet weather to our advantage. Brazil were really good at pushing the ball out of their ruck.

“Also our restart, I think that’s what let us down a tiny bit there. Instead of catching it we can bat it back a bit and use the wet weather to our advantage.

“My dad always tells me and my coaches always said, ‘Look up in front of you, the space is always there.’

“So for me to score a first try in Hong Kong for the first ever women’s tournament to be joined into this (is amazing).”