Hong Kong Sevens: New Zealand bring in the big guns as Forbes helps them rise to the occasion
- HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series leaders off and running with 2 wins, and an eye on yet another final
- ‘We want to be the ones now that create those memories … that would just be a great way to end things on Sunday,’ says Stacey Waaka
The New Zealand women turned to the great DJ Forbes as they looked for an edge coming into the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, and it sounds like the Sevens legend duly delivered.
“He’s obviously the man,” Stacey Waaka, the Kiwi forward, said. “He remembered that haka they did back in 2014 when it was pouring down. We want to be the ones now that create those memories for our future generations.”
The women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series has arrived in town for the first time, with New Zealand well in control following four straight tournament titles and a final with arch-rivals Australia pretty short odds of happening on Sunday.
These two nations really need no extra fuel added to the fire when they line up against each other in any sport, but the Forbes talk has the Kiwis pumped and their opening day wins – 50-0 over Hong Kong and 43-0 over Great Britain – saw them flying across the park.
“It’s a massive rivalry, us and them and just because they’re such a big team,” Waaka said. “It’s cool playing against them and there’s no escaping that would just be a great way to end things on Sunday.”
Waaka feasted on an undersized Hong Kong, crossing three times and proving almost impossible to touch. She then added one late against Great Britain for good measure as Friday moved New Zealand into top gear ahead of a final pool match against Canada on Saturday morning.
“We want to just play some good rugby, stay consistent as we can and then maybe put some special tricks out at the big one on Sunday,” Waaka said.
The Aussie camp gave Hong Kong its first look at Madidson Levi, the 20-year-old sensation has already scored 46 tries and arrived as one of the stand-out stars of the women’s game.
On Friday, she tore Brazil apart, crossing twice as Australia won 43-5, then she dug in and did the dirty work as the Aussies were forced to work before overcoming Ireland 19-12.
Australia start Sevens title defence safely as they chase winning feeling again
Those wins were enough to guarantee Australia a place in the quarter-finals, and, more importantly, qualified them for next year’s Olympics in Paris.
“It’s a massive tournament,” Levi said. “It’s got a big atmosphere and it’s got a big crowd and there are big expectations when you play here. I think it’s one of the best sporting contests in the world and for it to finally be equal, men and women, to put on a showcase here, I think it’s pretty exciting.
“It shows where the growth of the women’s game is going and just that we can put on big crowds with the men’s is pretty exciting.
“So I think it’s just taking it game by game with the big sights on playing that final against New Zealand. I think we’re due for one over them and I think a couple of times we’ve come close.”
Australia return on Saturday to face Fiji, who are looking to throw the form guide out the window and make a run at Sunday’s final and they marched across Friday with some serious sense of intent.
They beat Ireland 17-7, then Brazil 36-5, and in the shape of Reapi Ulunisau they have a proven match-winner who looked to grow in stature as the day went on.
The USA, who have also qualified for Paris 2024, are in the mix, third in the series standings coming in, but were given a scare by Japan, before securing a 26-17 win in the last minute.
“You can see every team is improving,” Levi said. “It’s pretty exciting. So I think for us to be able to play footy and to see the starting age for players is just getting younger and younger.
“The talent out here shows the game is gonna keep getting better and better and these young girls have role models playing the game. It’s pretty exciting to look forward to.”
