By Ian Chadband
Australia’s sevens world champions have been denied victory in the inaugural women’s edition of the Hong Kong Sevens, beaten in the final by New Zealand.
The teams in black ensured a double in the marquee sevens event on Sunday as the New Zealand men also took the crown won last year by Australia.
Australia’s Sariah Paki is chased down by New Zealand’s Kelly Brazier during their Hong Kong Sevens final.Credit:AP
After a close showdown, Charlotte Caslick’s Aussie women, who were the last team to beat the New Zealanders in the Dubai Sevens final in January, were beaten 26-17.
The Kiwis sealed their win with just 21 seconds left on the clock as Stacey Waaka went over for her second try to make it an incredible 29 wins and four trophies in a row for the winners.
It was also their third world series final win in a row over the Aussies after victories in Cape Town and Vancouver.
Teen Bienne Terita had scored first for the Australians, but she was later sin-binned after tackling Kelly Brazier off the ball and conceding a penalty try.
With an extra woman, Waaka scored for the New Zealanders but the inspirational Caslick went over to narrow the gap.
New Zealand’s Michaela Blyde notched a converted try to make it 21-12 and Sariah Paki’s unconverted reply proved too little too late.
The consolation for world sevens player of the year Caslick was a record-breaking weekend in which she’d become the first Australian past 150 tries in world series matches.
The Australians had earlier beaten Great Britain 21-5 in the semi-final.
Australia’s men, the reigning Hong Kong champs, could only finish tied for 11th as New Zealand went on to beat Fiji 24-17 in the final.
It was New Zealand’s first Hong Kong title since 2014 and the team’s 12th overall, second only to Fiji’s leading mark of 19.
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