Black Ferns Sevens down Australia again to maintain Hong Kong dominance

NZ Herald

19 Apr, 2026 11:37 AM2 mins to read

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New Zealand celebrate winning the Cup final against Australia at the Hong Kong Sevens. Photo / Photosport

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The Black Ferns Sevens have defended their Hong Kong title, defeating Australia 19-14 in the final, maintaining their stranglehold on the event.

The New Zealanders have won all four finals at the seven circuit’s biggest event ever since the women’s series arrived there in 2023. In Sunday’s match, they
always looked strong, despite a late Australian strike that closed the margin.

Mahina Paul opened the scoring for the Black Ferns in the third minute, with Jorja Miller dotting down two minutes later. Skipper Risi Pouri-Lane converted both tries, and even when Australia’s Isabella Nasser struck back in the sixth minute, the Black Ferns looked in control.

A ninth-minute unconverted try to Kelsey Teneti looked to have settled the match, before Aussie gun Maddison Levi was finally able to get into the action, barging through grasping defenders on the left flank to head in under the posts with 30 seconds left on the clock.

After Tia Hinds knocked over her second conversion, Australia were unable to secure the ball at the restart, and the match closed in deflated fashion with a knock on marking the start of the Kiwi celebrations.