New Zealand on track for Hong Kong Sevens three-peat, Australia advance

New Zealand remain on track for a three-peat of Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens titles after running away with a convincing 31-7 win over Brazil in the second women’s quarter-final at the new Kai Tak Stadium on Saturday evening.

In a rematch of the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics, New Zealand will take on Canada in a blockbuster semi-final on day three, while Australia's most inexperienced women's sevens side in 10 years will continue their own quest for glory against France.

After flying through pool play with an unbeaten run from their three matches, the Black Ferns Sevens once again turned their focus to Brazil. Those very same sides had clashed earlier on day two, with the women in black winning that Pool B fixture 29-7.

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It was a similar story in the quarter-final with Michaela Brake scoring a double, just as the try-scoring phenomenon had earlier in pool play. Risi Pouri-Lane, Jazmin Felix-Hotham also contributed with a five-pointer each as the Kiwis ran away with another big win.

They’re through to yet another semi-final at the Hong Kong Sevens.

“It’s definitely exiting… with the new stadium and all, the excitement levels are high,” Paul told RugbyPass and another reporter.

“We know Canada’s going to be a tough one as well so I guess we’ve got to regroup and show up tomorrow in the semi-final.

“Definitely pleased... I feel like it’s been a little bit of a grind. All the teams we’ve played these last two days, they haven’t given it to us easy. It’s still been a little bit of a grind but I guess you need those games going into finals footy.”

New Zealand took out their first of two consecutive titles at Hong Kong Stadium by beating rivals Australia 26-17 in 2023, and then backing that up with a 36-7 triumph over the United States about 12 months later.

The Black Ferns Sevens’ form in 2024/25 in itself warrants favouritism status for this weekend’s big matches, as they sit in first place on the overall women’s standings with 76 points. Australia aren’t too far behind in second with 70, and France round out the top-three with 52.

“In the back of our minds a little bit but we just take each tournament as it comes,” Paul reflected when asked about the pressure and expectation to win the event.

“I guess the three-peat in Hong Kong would be pretty awesome.”

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The New Zealanders will face Canada for a spot in the big dance, with the Olympic silver medal winners recording a 26-17 win over Fiji in their quarter-final. Last season’s SVNS Series Rookie of the Year Carissa Norsten stood out with the double, with efforts in the eighth and 13^th minutes.

Fancy Bermudez and Carmen Izyk also contributed on the scoreboard as the Canadians rallied after initially falling behind 5-nil. Verenaisi Ditavutu scored the early opener, while Silika Qalo and Michell Seruvatu also crossed for a valiant Fijian outfit.

On the other side of the draw, Faith Nathan got the try-scoring party started for Australia in their 35-5 victory against the USA. Nathan crossed for another shortly after, and a Maddison Levi try with about 90 seconds left in the half saw the Aussies take a strong 21-nil lead into the break.

Australia continued to dominate this clash after the break. The USA scored their only try though SVNS Series veteran Kristi Kirshe but it was never going to trouble the women in gold who ran away with a 30-point win after tries to Levi and Kiiahla Duff during the second term.

The Aussies will take on France at 1:37 pm local time on Sunday afternoon, who beat Japan 34-nil. Carla Neisen, Hawa Tounkara and Lou Noel all dotted down for first-half tries as the French ran out to a 15-nil half-time lead.

Noel and Neisen both completed doubles during the second term, and Oceane Buissoun rounded things off with a 14th minute try, as France claimed a promising result ahead of an intriguing showdown with a familiar foe, Australia.