New Zealand power into Hong Kong Sevens semis as four-peat bid continues

Three-time reigning Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens champions New Zealand are through to the semi-finals at this weekend’s event, with captain Risi Pouri-Lane and Jorja Miller among the try-scorers in a 32-5 win against Spain.

SVNS 1 champions New Zealand started the World Championship Series with an unbeaten 3-0 run in Pool A, which saw them finish with a +86 points difference. New Zealand defeated SVNS 2 qualifiers Brazil, Japan and Fiji to book their place in the knockout rounds.

The Black Ferns Sevens conceded an early try to Spain, before piling on 32 unanswered points in another dominant performance at Kai Tak Sports Park. With the quarter-finals now in the books, the New Zealanders turn their focus to a semi-final showdown with Canada on Sunday.

On the other side of the draw, Australia remain in the title race after beating Fiji 45-5 in the final women’s fixture on day two. The Australians will take on a confident French outfit for a spot in the big dance, after they claimed a 22-12 win against Japan.

Canada and the USA faced off in the first quarter-final, with both teams triumphing in recent meetings between the North American rivals. Olivia Apps was the match-winner for Canada in an extra-time thriller in Singapore, but the USA won the most recent meeting.

The USA hadn’t beaten Canada in a quarter-final since 2020 in Glendale, and that streak would ultimately continue. Charity Williams raced away for a double, with Savannah Bauder scoring Canada’s only other try.

Canada took a 7-0 lead into the half-time huddle, before Arianna Ramsey hit back for the USA. But that’s when Bauder and Williams stepped up with match-defining efforts, as the Canadians claimed a hard-fought 19-7 win.

Fans then waited to see who Canada would face in the final four, with New Zealand taking on SVNS 2 qualifier Spain in the next fixture. Spain struck first through Carlota Caicoya, but it was one-way traffic from there as the New Zealanders took control.

Kelsey Teneti, Miller and Pouri-Lane crossed for one try each, as the Black Ferns Sevens took a 12-point advantage into the break  It was a similar story during the second term, starting with Pouri-Lane’s second try in the 10^th minute.

Maina Paul and Stacey Waaka capped off another big win for the Black Ferns Sevens with a five pointer each. New Zealand won five of six events during the SVNS 1 campaign, and have kept their hopes of a four-peat of Hong Kong Sevens titles alive so far.

France were the next team through to the Cup semi-finals, booking their place in the next stage with a clinical performance against Japan. Japan controlled possession early but a turnover saw France strike immediately,

Anne-Cecile Ciofani and Lilou Graciet both got on the scoresheet during the first seven minutes, with France leading 10-0 at the break. Both teams scored 12 points during the second term, which saw France set up a semi-final against either Australia or Fiji.

Maddison Levi overtook Portia Woodman-Wickliffe on the all-time SVNS Series try-scoring charts with an early against Fiji. Levi flew down the wing, touching the ball down less than 40 seconds into the quarter-final.

Levi crossed for another try soon after, as the Australians took a commanding 26-point advantage into the break. It was more of the same in the second term, with Teagan Levi among the try-scorers during a statement performance.

Women’s semi-finals at Hong Kong Sevens

Canada vs New Zealand at 1:14 pm on Sunday

France vs Australia at 1:37 pm on Sunday

Men’s semi-finals at Hong Kong Sevens

New Zealand vs South Africa at 2:00 pm on Sunday

Spain vs Fiji at 2:23 pm on Sunday