Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens: Jorja Miller to the four as New Zealand keep record intact
Black Ferns Sevens beat season-long co-finalists Australia to win fourth consecutive title in city, with Miller playing integral part
There was no stopping the New Zealand women’s team at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens as they dominated and beat Australia to keep their record in Hong Kong intact on Sunday.
A 19-14 win at Kai Tak Stadium handed the Black Ferns their fourth Sevens title in the city in as many years, with star player Jorja Miller an integral part of that record.
“It’s an amazing accomplishment by our team. To come out here and do it four years in a row is pretty amazing,” she said. “We love playing in an amazing atmosphere like this. We barely get it anywhere else in the series, so to come here and get the win over Australia is very special.”
Mahina Paul and Miller combined for two tries inside the opening five minutes to give the reigning and three-time champions a solid lead, but Isabella Nasser restored hope for the Aussies with a try just before the break.
Teagan Levi was then sent to the sidelines for two minutes following a yellow card early after the restart, and New Zealand, who had triumphed in five of six regular season stops this season, duly landed their third try on the night through Kelsey Teneti.
All-time try record-holder Maddison Levi, elder sister of Teagan, scored a late try but it was too little, too late as Australia fell to their arch-rivals for the sixth time in seven finals this season.