Hong Kong Sevens: Stacey Waaka’s moment of magic seals history for New Zealand’s women

When victory arrived for the Black Ferns Sevens on Sunday – 26-17 over arch-rivals Australia – it came as it has so often done for New Zealand at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens down through the ages. It was built on a team-first mentality but it was sealed with a flash of individual brilliance, Stacey Waaka throwing a shimmy right and sending Australian star Maddison Levi left – and the whole park then opening up for the Kiwi forward to play with. Waaka duly crossed, the scoreboard showed 26-17 to New Zealand, and the vow that this champion team – one who have now won five straight HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournaments – would write their names into the annals of Hong Kong Sevens history was duly delivered. “You know it’s do or die in those crucial moments and I just put my ears back and, yeah, I’ll do anything for the team,” said Waaka, who was named Player of the Final for her two-try performance in the big one. “We talked about paving a path for the future generations. We’re the first here and hopefully there’s many more in the years to come. Hopefully the girls watching at home in New Zealand can be standing here one day. “I think the mindset this whole weekend is it’s not going to happen, we got to make it happen. And that’s just the nature of rugby, right? It’s whoever fights to the death.” The Kiwis have been the dominant force all season long, having already qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics and coming to town with an unassailable lead in the Series. They had their superstar captain Sarah Hirini back in action on Sunday after a three match ban, after being cited for a collision on Friday, and it proved a bit like pouring kerosene on an already well-fit fire. Kiwi onslaught shocks Fiji for first Hong Kong Sevens title in 9 years She wasn’t really needed, given the form that New Zealand had shown in her absence, but didn’t she just light the place up wherever she went regardless. Such little edges have proved the difference between New Zealand and Australia throughout the Series and the match delivered on that promise. There were flashes of brilliance – Waaka bringing the crowd off their seats when she caught a chipped ball and crossed; the Aussies willing their way back into the contest thanks to the flying Charlotte Caslick, who ended the tournament as both points (45) and try leader (nine). But the moment of absolute magic was left to Waaka. “We know it’s always gonna be close,” said Waaka. “And I know the best team on the day win because of those little moments, and it’s whoever can last the 14 minutes. “We’re fortunate enough to be on that side of the coin. I’m feeling great. I still feel like we’re not peaking yet, which is a good thing. We obviously have a lot of girls in the squad who have had game time now. So it’s about building those connections and those relationships consistently.” With the series well and truly sealed, both teams have the final tournament in Toulouse from May 12-14 to consider – and to blood new and less experienced players, and they have to start thinking forward to Paris and the 2024 Olympic Games. Aussie coach Tim Walsh gave a rueful smile when asked when he was leaving the field what more his team could do against a team who’ve now beaten them in three finals across this Series. “It’s always a ding dong battle,” he said. “You know, it’s just one moment that can be the difference between being disappointed and being on top of the world. So that’s the beauty of the sport and that’s why we love it.” This was the first time Hong Kong has hosted a leg of the women’s World Rugby Sevens Series and it was thrilling across the board, capped by two great finals on Sunday. “It’s just turned into a great spectacle to finally have you guys here playing on this stage,” said Walsh. “It’s been fantastic. I think every women’s team for the last 10 years particularly has been representing the sport really well and just showing everybody what they’re capable of. “The women’s game is now on equal footing and so we’re really looking forward to next year in Hong Kong and also for the whole next season.”