New Zealand ended Fiji’s winning streak in Hong Kong to claim the men’s sevens title with a 24-17 win and replicate the Black Ferns’ success.
Leroy Carter beat the dead-ball line and two defenders in a high-speed chase as New Zealand raced to a big early lead in the first half before Fiji – looking for consecutive win number 42 in Hong Kong – hit back from 90 metres out.
Cody Vai had opened the scoring with just 30 seconds on the clock as the All Blacks opened with a statement of intent in their first Hong Kong final since 2016, with Sione Molia doubling their try tally six minutes later, before Carter struck to take the score to 19-0.
Vuiviwa Naduvalu finished off a length-of-the-pitch riposte 60 seconds later to get Fiji on the board – but Nigardhi McGarvey-Black extended the All Blacks’ lead again to 24-7 before a breathless opening period ended.
Joseva Talacolo got Fiji’s second early in the second half – and a consolation third on the final whistle as New Zealand claimed their first Hong Kong title since 2014.
Bronze final: France third after thriller
The competition had already exploded into life, to the delight of a large crowd at Hong Kong Stadium. Great Britain’s men were unable to repeat the medal-winning heroics of the women’s team, as they lost an enthralling encounter against France 19-17, Stephen Parez with the decisive score at the conclusion of an end-to-end encounter.
“It feels really good,” Jonathan Laugel said afterwards. “We’ve had some difficult games – all of them were really tough – but we showed consistency. I’m really proud of the guys, even though I would have preferred to play the next [match] against Fiji.”
Semi-finals: Fiji survive extra time drama
Earlier, New Zealand made it eight straight wins against France – but had to work hard for the 12-7 victory that saw them through to their first Hong Kong final since 2016.
Earlier, the four-try All Blacks beat Argentina 24-10 to book their place in the last four against France – who had twice come from behind against Spain to win 19-14 in extra time.
Fiji and Great Britain could not be separated in regulation time despite a frenetic end-to-end conclusion. And the chaos didn’t end there – Terio Tamani’s match-winning extra time touchdown had to go to the TMO after his celebration touchdown dive nearly took him out of the in-goal area.
It was the second tight match in a row for the Pacific islanders after they came from behind to beat South Africa 10-7 in a tense third quarter-final.
Great Britain, meanwhile, bagged the last available semi-final slot with a 21-10 win over USA.
Fifth-place: Argentina’s Osadczuk uses his head to claim win
A moment of football-style genius/madness ended a slow-burn thriller between Argentina and South Africa. Scoreless for 12 minutes, the game exploded into life when Joaquin Pellandini touched down to give Argentina a 7-0 lead. Ricardo Duarttee crossed just before the final whistle for the Blitzbokke to take the score to 7-5.
South Africa needed to claim the restart as the clock ticked into the red. But they didn’t get the chance, as Matías Osadczuk headed the kick-off into touch to end the match.
Argentina had earlier ended Spain’s Hong Kong adventure with a workmanlike 19-0 win, while South Africa ran in six tries to beat USA 38-7.
Ninth-place play-off: No late comeback for Samoa
A missed conversion after the gong denied Samoa the chance to take the ninth-placed play-off against Ireland into extra time. Paul Scanlan’s superb touchdown with the clock in the red was the final score as the Irish claimed a 19-17 win.
Ireland had already ended Uruguay’s Hong Kong run with a 31-7 win; and Jordan Conroy had earlier scored the opening try of finals day, as they beat Canada 17-0 and earned the right to play Uruguay – who had run in six tries to beat Japan 40-0.
Samoa’s route to the play-off included a 15-12 win over defending champions Australia, thanks to two Vaa Apelu Maliko tries, and a four-score 26-12 victory over Kenya.
13th play-off: Twin-win joy for hosts Hong Kong
Two wins in a row – their first and second in the tournament since 2021 – earned spirited Hong Kong 13th place. Mak Kwai Chung, Liam Herbert and Max Denmark the try heroes as they beat Canada 17-7.
“It’s a lot to take in, it’s very, very special for us,” captain Max Woodward said afterwards.
Earlier, try-machine Max Denmark admitted he was, “on the verge of tears” after Hong Kong won their first match since 2021, beating Kenya 19-10 in the 13th-placed semi-final. “It feels so good to finally get a win in Hong Kong in front of the Hong Kong fans – there’s nothing better!”
Canada, meanwhile, were made to work for the 19-12 win over Japan that took them into the 13th-place play-off.
