The Fijian men’s 7s rugby team and the New Zealand women’s 7s team successfully defended their titles at the Singapore leg of the 2025-’26 HSBC SVNS tournament on Sunday 1 February.
The women in black put on a dominant display of running rugby to completely overhaul archrivals Australia 36-7 in the women’s Cup final at the Singapore National Stadium, while the Fijians clawed their way back from a 12-0 deficit at half-time to eventually take the spoils by 21-12.
In the women’s Cup final, New Zealand ran in six tries to Australia’s one, with the dangerous Jorja Miller winning the coveted HSBC Player of the Match award. The victory in the final not only meant the Black Ferns 7s defended their title, but they also ended the tournament unbeaten.
In the men’s Cup final, Fiji showed true fighting spirit to take the tournament spoils against France.
The French thought they had the perfect start, when Simon Désert powered his way over the try-line in the first minute, but the TMO ruled the final pass to him as forward.
Les Bleus eventually opened their account through Jordan Sepho, and Enahemo Artaud added the extras (7-0). After the half-time hooter had sounded, Paulin Riva extended the men in blue’s lead to 12-0.
As the second half got underway, Fiji struggled to string decent attacks together and generally misfired, as the French used their physicality to outmuscle the Pacific Islanders.
But the never-say-die attitude that Fijians are known for soon saw HSBC Player of the Final Viwa Naduvalo cross over for a converted try and straight after the restart, Kavekini Tanivanuakula did the same for his side to take a 14-12 lead.
The Fijians rounded off a brilliant performance with one last try by Pilipo Bukayar as the hooter rung, to seal the Cup victory by 21-12.
Earlier the afternoon in the women’s third play-off match, Canada scored a golden-point try to clinch a 24-19 victory over the USA.
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In the men’s third play-off encounter, the Blitzboks were narrowly edged out 14-12 by New Zealand.
The sensational 19-year-old Kele Lasaqa was first to score for the All Blacks 7s in the third minute and the try was converted by Sofai Notoa-Tipo (7-0).
Just a minute later, Tristan Leyds, who showed exceptional form throughout the weekend, responded with an unconverted try (HT: 7-5).
After the break, Shilton van Wyk put the Blitzboks in front when he crossed over the whitewash and Leyds converted (12-7).
As the New Zealanders launched attack after attack, the South African defense manned up. But a counter-attack saw New Zealand speedster Michael Manson chip the ball over the South African defense, punt the ball down field and outrun Leyds and Sonwabo Sokoyi to score the winning try, which Riley Willaims converted (FT: 14-12).
The teams will now travel Down Under for the Perth leg of the series, which will be held at HBF Park on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 February.
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