Rugby Sevens: New Zealand seal double title triumph at iconic Hong Kong Sevens

New Zealand have claimed a men's and women's double title triumph at the Hong Kong Sevens.

The Black Ferns Sevens downed Australia 26-17 in the women's final, while All Blacks Sevens defeated Fiji 24-17 in the men's showpiece.

A penalty try and a deft crossfield kick by Tyla Nathan-Wong for Stacey Waaka to score helped the NZ women take a 14-12 lead into halftime.

Michaela Blyde struck to open the second-half scoring, with Sariah Paki replying for the Australians to narrow the deficit to four points and set up a grandstand finish.

New Zealand's Cody Vai in action during the final.
New Zealand's Cody Vai in action during the final. Photo credit: Getty Images

Waaka dotted down in the dying seconds to seal their 30th straight win and fifth consecutive world series title.

"I love playing Australia," said NZ captain Sarah Hirini. "They make us a better team.

"Pretty scrappy game to be fair, lots of mistakes... just glad Stacey finished that in the corner."

The All Blacks Sevens shot out of the gate in their final against archrivals Fiji, who won 40 of their last 41 games at the iconic Hong Kong tournament.

Cody Vai capitalised on a Fijian fumble to cross inside 25 seconds, before Akuila Rokolisoa forced another mistake from a scrum to run in another try a minute later.

Leroy Carter pounced on a perfectly weighted kick from Ngarohi McGarvey-Black for another try, with Fiji finally crossing for their first score from the ensuing kickoff, via Viwa Naduvolo.

McGarvey-Black slid over in the corner in the dying moments of the half to give the Kiwis a 24-7 lead at the interval.

The second stanza was all about defence for the New Zealanders. Joseva Talacolo crossed for two Fijian tries, although the last came with time essentially expired.

The win sealed New Zealand's first title at Hong Kong since 2014 and their 12th overall, second only to Fiji (19).

"The last time this team stamped their mark in Hong Kong was a long time ago," said Sione Molia. "We've had some pretty dreadful losses and close ones, and we're stoked to get the win."

Black Ferns Sevens are now 18 points clear of Australia atop the women's overall world series standings, while All Blacks Sevens are 22 points ahead of Argentina in first place in the men's.

Both teams move on to Singapore next weekend.

Black Ferns Sevens 26 (Waaka 2, Blyde tries, Nathan-Wong 2 conversions) Australia 17 (Terita, Caslick, Paki tries, Levi conversion)

All Blacks Sevens 24 (Vai, Molia, McGarvey Black, Carter tries, Rokolisoa 2 conversions) Fiji 17 (Talacolo 2, Naduvalo tries, Nacuqu conversion)