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The All Blacks Sevens made history on Sunday night as they ended nine years of heartbreak and disappointment with a Cup final triumph at the esteemed Hong Kong Sevens.
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It was their first title in Hong Kong in almost a decade, and clearly it meant the world to the players.
New Zealand have made winning a habit this season, but there’s something special about Hong Kong – for rugby fans and players all around the world, this event is high on their ‘must do’ lists.
Legendary players including the likes of Christian Cullen and Jonah Lomu have plied their trade at the spiritual home of sevens, while modern day gladiators continue to make their mark.
The All Blacks extended their lead at the top of the World Series with a hard-fought 24-17 win over Fiji in the Cup final last weekend.
After sneaking past France in a thrilling semi-final, the men in black booked their place in the big day at Hong Kong Stadium – their first decider in seven years at the prestigious event.
But as the sports adage goes, nobody remembers second place. The All Blacks were there to win, and it doesn’t get much bigger on the sevens circuit than a final against Fiji in Hong Kong.
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New Zealanders Cody Vai, Sione Molia and Leroy Carter crossed for first half tries, as the team raced out to a commanding 19-nil lead.
But Fiji refused to throw in the towel – and looked a chance of completing an incredible comeback, although New Zealand managed to hang on.
The significance of their historic achievement began to sink in as the referees whistle brought an end to the titanic tussle.
Later, with a medal around his neck, All Blacks Sevens co-captain Dylan Collier described the event as the “Mecca of the World Series.”
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“It’s the pinnacle of the World Series behind the Olympics and that which have just come in, but before that this was the Mecca of the World Series,” Collier told RugbyPass.
“It’s awesome just for me personally. I started in 2015 and made a couple of finals but to finally win it, it’s awesome.
“It’s right up there, like you said, especially being the captain and the group of boys we have, we’ve got a real young group and they’re the future of our team.
“For me it’s to try and lead from the front and show them the way and to show them how good it is to win.”
The All Blacks overcame an incredibly tough draw to win it all in Hong Kong.
After starting their campaign with a 29-5 win over fallen giant Kenya, New Zealand defeated rivals South Africa and Ireland to top Pool D.
But it didn’t get any easier for them in the knockout rounds.
New Zealand registered a convincing 24-10 win over the high-flying Los Pumas – a team who beat the kiwis in a Cup final in Hamilton earlier this year, and currently sit second on the World Series.
World Series juggernauts France fell painfully short of an incredible semi-final win over the All Blacks, who charged into the previously mentioned final with confidence and belief.
“It’s unbelievable. We put in so much effort over the weekend or even the week leading up to get things right,” he added.
“We started really well in this final and we put them under a lot of pressure and managed to hold on.
“That’s just them, you can never take them lightly no matter how far you’re up.
“We’re just lucky the time ran out and we managed to get the win in the end.”
The All Blacks Sevens are back in action this weekend in Singapore, but they’re in an incredibly tough pool.
New Zealand have been draw in Pool A alongside South Africa, Australia and Hong Kong China.
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments