Black Ferns Sevens start SVNS Singapore title defence with 64-0 blitz

The Black Ferns Sevens have started their quest for a third consecutive HSBC SVNS Singapore title with a stunning 64-0 win against Great Britain, with Braxton Sorensen-McGee among the try-scorers during the opening-round blitz.

Carissa Norsten delivered some match-winning heroics for Canada in the first match of the event at the National Stadium, with the 2023/24 SVNS Series Rookie of the Year flying down the right edge to score in a 29-24 extra-time triumph over France.

It was then time for the defending champions to take the field, with Risi Pouri-Lane leading the New Zealanders out. New Zealand took out the opening tournament of the 2025/26 campaign in Dubai before falling to arch-rivals Australia in the Cape Town decider in December.

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Katelyn Vahaakolo dropped the ball practically over the try line, which kept the scoreline at nil-all in the opening stages. Great Britain turned defence into attack, racing up the field and almost scoring a try of their own.

Jazmin Felix-Hotham showed desperation in defence, making what was ultimately a try-saving tackle, before the New Zealanders turned over possession. Jorja Miller ended up touching down for the opening try of the contest in the second minute, racing away downfield.

New Zealand took the lead with that score and never looked like surrendering their advantage, as the points began to pile up on the scoreboard. Vahaakolo made amends for the earlier drop with a five-pointer in the fourth minute, and then Sorensen-McGee got on the scoresheet.

Mahina Paul and Pouri-Lane ran in a try each before the break, with the SVNS Series powerhouse taking a relentless 31-point lead into the half-time huddle. New Zealand showed no signs of slowing down early in the second term as well.

Courtney Greenway was shown a yellow card a minute into the second half, which saw Great Britain go down to six players for a couple of minutes. Vahaakolo completed a double in the eighth minute, with Sorensen-McGee adding the extras.

Paul, Olive Watherston and Kelsey Teneti raced away for one try each in quick succession, with the scoreboard reading 55-0 with about one minute left. Sorensen-McGee had the last point-scoring say with an effort in the final play of the match.

World Rugby’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year converted her own try. It was New Zealand’s 10^th try of the Pool B encounter, as they started yet another title defence on the SVNS Series with a spectacular result in Singapore.

Coach Cory Sweeney has named a strong New Zealand travelling squad for SVNS Series stops in Singapore and Perth. Pouri-Lane and Miller share the leadership responsibilities as the team’s captain and vice-captain respectively.

Stacey Waaka adds big-game experience to the group, as a two-time Olympic gold medallist and a dual Rugby World Cup winner. Paul, Maia Davis, Alena Saili, Dani Mafoe, Jaymie Kolose, Felix-Hotham, Sorensen-McGee, Watherson, Teneti and Vahaakolo round out the squad.

The Black Ferns Sevens are in Pool B along with Paris Olympic silver medallists Canada, France and Great Britain. Australia headline the other group that includes three impressive sides in Fiji, Japan and the USA.