New Zealand Women Retain Singapore Sevens Title, Fiji Men End Three-Year Drought
New Zealand’s women’s team successfully defended their Singapore Sevens crown with a commanding 31-7 win over Australia on Sunday, while Fiji’s men claimed their first title at the National Stadium in three years with a 21-12 victory over Kenya.
In the women’s final, New Zealand struck early with Michaela Blyde scoring within the first 69 seconds. Risi Pouri-Lane soon added another, giving the Kiwis a 12-0 lead. Just before halftime, however, a turnover deep in their own territory allowed Maddison Levi to put Australia on the scoreboard, narrowing the deficit to 12-7.
The second half saw New Zealand regain control, with Jazmin Felix-Hotham scoring off her own grubber kick and then assisting Kelsey Teneti for another try. Teneti nearly had a second, but Levi’s outstanding defensive effort stripped the ball just over the try-line.
Blyde capped the match with her second try, reinforcing her status as the top try-scorer in women’s world series history. New Zealand has now appeared in all six finals of this series, winning four, including the last three. Despite last year’s dominance, they lost the overall title to Australia due to the winner-takes-all format in the final round in Los Angeles.
In the men’s final, Fiji overcame a slow start to defeat Kenya 21-12, clinching their first Singapore Sevens title since 2022.
Kenya, playing in just their seventh cup final and their first in eight years, struck first after Fiji captain Sevu Mocenacagi was sent to the sin bin. A handling error by Fiji near midfield led to Vincent Onyala kicking the ball through for Nygel Amaitsa to chase down and score, giving Kenya a 7-0 halftime lead and maintaining their perfect first-half defensive record in Singapore.
But Fiji roared back in the second half. Joseva Talacolo broke through the Kenyan defense to set up Vuiviwa Naduvalo for the equalizer. With Kenya losing momentum due to penalties and errors, Naduvalo scored again to put Fiji ahead 14-7. Talacolo then assisted Rauto Vakadranu for the third try, effectively sealing the result before Kenya’s William Mwanji added a late consolation.
Naduvalo was named player of the final, repeating his MVP performance from Fiji’s previous Singapore triumph in 2022.
