New Zealand claims Singapore Women's HSBC SVNS title

In the women’s competition, New Zealand beat fierce rivals Australia 36-7 in the final of the HSBC SVNS Series, which secured their third successive title in Singapore. In a sport built on rivalries, these two powerhouses had met in the previous two finals this season, with New Zealand title winners in Dubai before Australia reigned supreme in Cape Town.

The Black Ferns Sevens took the honours in a city where they continue to make themselves at home ahead of next weekend's tournament in Perth, Australia.

It was a poignant victory for New Zealand and an apt tribute to honour the memory of those who died in the recent landslides at Mount Maunganui. This tragedy is close to home with the women's and men's teams based on New Zealand’s North Island.

The platform for victory was set with clinical braces from Jazmin Felix-Hotham and Jorja Miller, two players who have illuminated the tournament in Singapore, and a try from Mahina Paul.

Bienne Terita hit back for Australia, but Katelyn Vahaakolo added another try for the Black Ferns Sevens to end the weekend with their fifth straight win. There was much to admire in New Zealand’s performance as they capped a superb stay in Singapore, which has seen them score 218 points overall.

Two-try Miller, the player of the final, said: “I’m so stoked and proud of the girls. It’s been an awesome atmosphere in a beautiful city.”

Captain Risi Pouri-Lane proudly declared, “Every single one of the girls stepped up this weekend. I’m so proud of them and really stoked for the team. Defence is best part of the game but we’ve got another tournament in Perth next weekend. Things can change quickly, but we want to do it all over again.”

Meanwhile, Canada clinched third place after beating the USA 24-19 courtesy of the mercurial Olivia Apps’ dramatic extra-time winner, while France finished fifth.

Following an action-packed showdown in Singapore in front of 40,000 fans across the weekend, the draw for the fourth round in Perth was made by English rugby international Danny Care.

It has thrown up some exciting encounters and the prospect of more than one upset. Newly-crowned men’s champions Fiji will take on South Africa, Spain, and Argentina in Pool A when the tournament gets underway in Australia next weekend. Losing finalists France, meanwhile, head a tough-looking Pool B that includes New Zealand, Australia, and Great Britain.

In the women’s competition, Singapore champions New Zealand have been pitted against the USA, Fiji, and Japan in Pool A when the HSBC SVNS resumes down under next weekend. Beaten Singapore finalists Australia will face Canada, France, and Great Britain in Pool B.