Singapore SVNS: Black Ferns Sevens just too good for rivals Australia

DAY TWO WRAP: New Zealand edge out Australia to clinch HSBC SVNS Series title as Canada claim podium finish.

New Zealand beat fierce rivals Australia 36-7 in the final of the HSBC SVNS Series at the Singapore National Stadium, which secured their third successive title in Singapore.

In a sport built on rivalries, these two powerhouses had met in the previous two finals this season, with New Zealand title winners in Dubai before Australia reigned supreme in Cape Town.

Here, it was the Black Ferns Sevens who took the honours in a city where they continue to make themselves at home ahead of next weekend’s tournament in Perth, Australia.

It was a poignant victory for New Zealand and an apt tribute to honour the memory of those who died in the recent landslides at Mount Maunganui.

This tragedy is close to home with the women’s and men’s teams based on New Zealand’s North Island.

FINAL: Black Ferns Sevens all-gold

The platform for victory was set with clinical braces from Jazmin Felix-Hotham and Jorja Miller, two players who have illuminated the tournament in Singapore, and a try from Mahina Paul.

Bienne Terita hit back for Australia but Katelyn Vahaakolo added another try for the Black Ferns Sevens to end the weekend with their fifth straight win.

There was much to admire in New Zealand’s performance as they capped a superb stay in Singapore which has seen them score 218 points overall.

Two-try Miller, the player of the final, said: “I’m so stoked and proud of the girls.

“It’s been an awesome atmosphere in a beautiful city.”

Captain Risi Pouri-Lane proudly declared: “Every single one of the girls stepped up this weekend.

“I’m so proud of them and really stoked for the team. Defence is best part of the game but we’ve got another tournament in Perth next weekend.

“Things can change quickly, but we want to do it all over again.”

THIRD PLACE: Canada seal first podium finish of the season in style

Canada clinched third place after beating USA 24-19 courtesy of the mercurial Olivia Apps’ dramatic extra-time winner.

The North American rivals were tied at 19-19 when Apps scored her second try of the game to secure her side’s first podium finish of the season.

The USA were also looking to get on the podium for the first time in 2025-26 in the 48th overall meeting between the sides.

This was only the fifth time they have met for third place and Canada’s Kennedi Stevenson was a late withdrawal through injury but they soon led through Krissy Scurfield.

The USA replied through Kristi Kirshe and a penalty try but scores from Fancy Bermudez and the mercurial Apps put Canada in control.

The USA hit back again through Kaylen Thomas and Ariana Ramsey before Apps dramatically claimed her second for Canada to win it.

A delighted Apps said: “We were in golden-point in the first game of the tournament, so it’s fitting to win this way in our last game of the tournament.

“Our team felt really calm and allowed me to make the decision I made.

“It’s been an amazing weekend – Singapore is a beautiful city and I love this stadium.”

In the first semi-final, number one seeds Australia were on a nine-game winning streak over Canada and they made it 10 on the spin with a 35-10 victory.

Maddison Levi’s hat-trick was the highlight of their win and she opened the scoring against a Canada side who were competing in their first semi-final of the season.

Alysha Corrigan hit back for Canada but Heidi Dennis restored Australia’s advantage and Levi then grabbed her second before sister Teagan got in on the act for her second try of the tournament.

But Maddison soon reclaimed centre stage by completing her treble to take her tally in Singapore to eight tries while Savannah Bauder claimed a consolation for Canada.

In the second semi-final, New Zealand booked their place in the title decider by beating the USA 44-7 in an emphatic victory.

Jazmin Felix-Hotham scored a spectacular individual effort to open the scoring before Kelsey Teneti’s double and Jorja Miller’s touchdown stretched the Black Ferns Sevens’ lead.

Teneti completed a predatory hat-trick before Stacey Waaka, Katelyn Vahaakoloalso and Olive Watherston also went over as New Zealand cantered into the final.

Fiji won the fifth-place play-off with a comfortable 36-12 victory over Great Britain.

Reapi Ulunisau claimed a four-try haul and Kolora Lomani and Alfreda Fisher were also on target while Evelyn Clarke and Georgie Lingham scored in reply.

A delightful hat-trick from Alycia Christiaens set France on their way to a 32-0 victory over Japan.

It was quickly added to by Marie Dupouy before Christiaens bagged her second.

Lili Dezou and Lou Noel added further French scores to send them through to play Fiji in the fifth-place play-off.

France edged another entertaining affair in the fifth place play-off after beating Fiji 17-14.

Reapi Ulunisau scored twice for Fiji but the French emerged victorious courtesy of Lou Noel’s try and a double from the in-form Alycia Christiaens.

Japan beat Great Britain 41-5 in the seventh-place play-off after producing a stylish display of freeflowing attacking rugby.

Ria Anoku touched down and Wakana Akita and Hazuki Ouchida scored doubles with Natsuki Ouchida and Marin Kajiki also crossing the whitewash and Georgie Lingham claiming Great Britain’s sole effort.

Day Two Fixtures – Sunday, February 1:
(kick-off is local time – GMT plus eight hours):

Women:

Fifth-place semifinals:
Fiji 36-12 Great Britain
France 32-0 Japan

Cup Semifinals:
Australia 35-10 Canada
New Zealand 44-7 USA

Seventh-place play-off

Great Britain 5-41 Japan

Fifth-place play-off

Fiji 14-17 France

Third-place play-off

Canada 24-19 USA

Cup Final
Australia 7-36 New Zealand