NZ wins long-awaited men's and women's Hong Kong 7s titles

HONG KONG (AP) — New Zealand achieved the men's and women's double of Hong Kong Sevens titles on Sunday with hard-fought wins over their biggest rivals in the finals.

The men defeated Fiji 24-17 after a punishing start with the first three tries and leading 24-7 at halftime.

The women edged Australia 26-17, ensuring victory with only 21 seconds left thanks to Stacey Waaka's second try.

Fiji came to the men's final having won 40 of its last 41 games in Hong Kong since 2015, losing only the 2022 final to Australia from two scores up.

But Fiji was in a giant hole within five minutes.

New Zealand turned a Fiji knock-on at its own tryline into a try after 25 seconds for Cody Vai, making his tournament debut as an injury replacement. Akuila Rokolisoa forced an error behind a Fiji scrum for co-captain Sione Molia to score in the second minute, then Ngarohi McGarvey-Black's chip was underestimated by Fiji and Leroy Carter was first to touch the ball behind the posts. Rokolisoa's extras made it 19-0.

Fiji showed its class from a deep kickoff when Pilipo Bukayaro attacked, Waisea Nacuqu supported and Viwa Naduvolo finished the move sliding between the posts.

But after the halftime hooter, McGarvey-Black's diving touchdown as Joseva Talacolo tried pushing him over the sideline survived a video review for a 24-7 lead.

Talacolo scored the only points after halftime, but both Fiji tries weren't converted and the second wasn't until right on fulltime. New Zealand's defense was superb, including for two scoreless minutes while Amanaki Nicole was sin-binned.

New Zealand's first Hong Kong title since 2014 was its 12th, second only to Fiji's 19 in the tournament's history.

“The last time this team stamped their mark in Hong Kong was a long time ago,” Molia said. “We've had some pretty dreadful losses and close ones, and we're stoked to get the win.”

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