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Why New Zealand’s Shiray Kaka gave Hong Kong Sevens medal to young fan
One of the most iconic moments from the 2015 Rugby World Cup final didn’t even happen during the match. After captain Richie McCaw lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in triumph, and with the All Blacks walking around the field, Sonny Bill Williams gifted his medal to a young fan.
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Williams’ generosity in handing over what every professional rugby player aspires to receive will echo throughout the history of the sport’s most prestigious event. It was an unexpected exchange that has undoubtedly inspired many to dream big.
But that’s just one example. There have been countless moments in the almost 10 years since, including at the historic Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens on Sunday evening. New Zealand’s Shiray Kaka joked about “not” being “very humble” but that’s clearly not the case.
During the men’s final, which the All Blacks Sevens went on to win 10-7, Kaka offered to throw her Hong Kong Sevens medal up to a young fan who was standing above the northwest tunnel. If the young girl caught it, then it was hers to take home.
The young Australian caught the medallion, which is now hers to keep. Still smiling, Kaka spoke with reporters seconds later, but with that moment with the young fan initially going unnoticed, the New Zealander didn’t bring it up.
But after hearing about the incredible moment, this reporter had to literally run over to Kaka to quickly ask the Olympic gold medallist about it. “How did you hear that,” the Black Ferns Sevens star ended up asking.
“She’s been cheering for me all weekend,” Kaka told RugbyPass and another reporter. “She does have an Australian jersey on though so it’s kind of a feel-sorry kind of thing as well,” she quipped.
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“She’s so cute. She’s like a full Australian fan and just loving rugby so I just want to make sure kids like that stay with rugby so that’s why I gave it to her.”
After losing in the final, semis and then the quarter-finals in the first three events of the season, the Black Ferns Sevens have turned their 2023/24 season around with a stunning series of Cup final wins.
New Zealand ended their silverware drought in Vancouver and backed that up a week later at Los Angeles’ Dignity Health Sports Park. But their most recent success at the Hong Kong Sevens was especially impressive after overcoming Australia in the semi-finals.
The Kiwis’ defensive effort put them in good stead during the first half of that knockout clash, before their attacking flair after the break helped them secure a spot in the big dance.
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After beating the United States of America in the final, and with Australia placing third, New Zealand have moved up to first on the overall SVNS Series standings on for-and-against. The women in black are equal on overall competition points (106) with the Aussies.
“Whenever Aussie are playing we’re always like ‘Oh someone beat them’ and whenever we’re playing I’m sure they do the same,” Kaka said.
“It’s just a bit of banter with us. No hard feelings.
“I’m not very humble. I know that I’m pretty cool and I’m pretty good and rugby so I knew my time was going to come,” Kaka joked after being named the Hong Kong Sevens’ best and fairest.
“I didn’t think that I wasn’t going to make Perth though, I didn’t expect that. There were a few tears. You know how people record themselves when they’re crying? I did that when I didn’t make the team and I laugh at it now.”
Comments on RugbyPass
> If the game of rugby is to grow globally, then the rugby Sth Africa play needs to be exterminated. Their performances at World Cup ‘19 & ‘23 were the antithesis to what the game should be. If the World Cup final is the grand spectacle of the game, please no more having to endure the drudgery and insipid ‘style ‘ of play harking back to pre WWII days, where the soulless rugby of the Bok reflected the mindset of a nation. > Gotta agree with Ben Smith, “ the Springboks took the trophy by default, with what might be the most unimpressive escape of all time “.
73 Go to commentsI think Rassie should bring in some new guys and give them a go in these irrelevant games. It’s a chance to blood some guys that might otherwise not get a chance and see if they’re up to it. As for the who’s number 1 dispute? Don’t care. As long as the trophies are brought home, that argument isn’t important. Champions don’t fuss about the could’ve, would’ve, should’ve. They just do, and that for me makes SA and NZ the top dogs. Followed by Ireland and occasionally England.
225 Go to commentsThis is like the “catches win matches" saying in cricket. If ABs were pragmatic and kicked for goal instead of hunting tries, I reckon they win that game with ease. Instead, nearly 6 months later; we have World Rugby's official mouthpiece celebrating their Almost Won the Rugby World Cup trophy. Fine Victory Gentleman! Well-earned!!
73 Go to comments“…the All Blacks nearly won…” is the only phrase you need to concern yourself with relative to this “journalistic” piece. Enjoy your Almost Won the World Cup victory…
73 Go to commentsAw common. Stop winging. There were no errors by officials. It is all recorded. Whose fault was the Cane red card? Or the Savea knock? Maybe the selectors who insisted on making a very average player their captain should be blamed. Something had to give way.
73 Go to commentsThe latest ‘Ireland are arrogant’ attack from one of the two most arrogant rugby nations on earth.
108 Go to commentsWaawaawaaaaaaaa
23 Go to commentsHow does this guy still have a job?
73 Go to commentsSorry bok you can't beat facts, we heard you all crowing how great you thought you were..lol ! We all watched the game, cheatsabeth cheating cost abs a try, only a penalty considering it was cynical and a professional foul, doesn't matter who wrote this because thats how it happened, but you go enjoy your gifting of the cup,
73 Go to commentsCan we talk about the context of how this particular journalist continues to make a living and gets published? Controversy for clicks. Shame on all of us for engaging with these irrelevant opinions.
73 Go to commentsAn astounding article !
73 Go to commentsFrance didn’t lose against New Zeland in 2011, but against Joubert…
73 Go to commentsHahahaha knew the “journalist” just by seeing the headline. Not wasting my time reading it as I know it's just another toxic manifestation of the boks living rent free in this babies head.
73 Go to commentsWhen you read those facts, you can say safely that the game was handed to the Springboks by the ruling mistakes made by the Referee and TMO. Perhaps that is why South Africans were/are so “noisey” about the win….this behaviour perhaps concealing that they realise luck played a big part in the result. Certainly not a good look for the IRB going forward…pretty shoddy sadly.
73 Go to commentsI must admit to being quite surprised by all the wine-ing and hand wringing from most AB pundits; commentators and the general analysis after a classic and engrossing final. I shudder to think how the pundits would’ve reacted if the AB’s where victors with 1 point on the day.. Most Bok fans pundits; fans and commentators take a loss on the chin; congratulate the winner and move on…and till now the NZ rugby fans where the same.. Naas Botha’s famous quote has never been more apt…. Cowboys don’t cry or make excuses.. STOP IT CRY-BABIES; …..YOU LOST.
73 Go to comments4 out of 8 beats 3 out of 10 cups. Maybe NZ are bad finishers???🤣🤣🤣
73 Go to commentsBokke bokke Bokke
1 Go to commentsThe main thing you need on your side to win a World Cup is luck. ABs had their fair share of it in the 2011 final. One score game in the SF vs Springboks in 2015 means there always things you can look at and say if this thing or that thing happened then SA would/should have won that game. Smith’s try being called back broke protocol, but it was the correct decision, so I don’t have a problem with that. If it was an SA try called back in the same circumstances I don’t think many ABS fans would have a problem with it. Cane’s shot was high, it was the classic thing NZ players have been doing, and getting carded for for years - Walking around bolt upright trying to put a big hit on someone. Stupid play by someone with a poor disciplinary record. The one that was a big problem for me was Etzebeth’s obstruction. The referee just choked on this occasion. Frustrating to have the TMO in his ear all night, apart from at this moment. Minimum yellow card for Etzebeth, but a very strong case for a penalty try also. Despite all that the ABs had the opportunity to be ahead with 3 minutes to play, so it’s hard to point fingers too much. Pollard makes that kick 99/100. JB and RM make it 50/100. That’s what it came down to in the end.
73 Go to commentsBOKS had a great side in 2011 and were in kicked out by a NZ ref and Nz were very lucky to win in final against France.
73 Go to commentsBarrett's try came from a forward pass, and perhaps the Bok game plan would have been different had the ABs remained with 15 on the pitch. We will never know. But if we are living in a world if what if's, then go back to the France v Bok game. France dominated the WC, and had they gotten past the boks, would have easily beaten the ABs in the Final
73 Go to comments