Hong Kong Sevens: Black Ferns skipper says side will beat Aussies ‘any day of the week'
Sarah Hirini has backed her Black Ferns Sevens side to come out on top again against Australia, as the pair prepare to battle it out once again in Hong Kong this weekend.
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The two teams have history in the city, with New Zealand beating their arch-rivals in the final of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens in 2023, and then again in last year's semi-final on their way to winning for a second successive year.
But Black Ferns skipper Hirini, who has won two Olympic gold medals, said there was pressure on both sides to perform at Kai Tak Stadium, given the current make-up of the HSBC SVNS standings.
The Kiwis, who lost to Australia 26-28 in the final in Perth in January, have a six-point lead over their biggest rivals. And should they successfully defend their title again, they will go into Singapore, the last leg before the Grand Final, with at least an eight-point lead.
'I've definitely got to back us [to beat Australia], I'm not gonna say anything else,' Hirini said. 'I would back us any day of the week. And if we get to play them in the final, that'll be pretty amazing as well.'
New Zealand rugby team players take part in a coaching clinic in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hirini, who was in the team who won last year, said she had had discussions with coaching staff about how they were going to extend their lead at the top of the series.
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