CALM KIWIS SINK FRENCH IN ‘FAREWELL’ FINAL
New Zealand’s men lift a 13th crown in the city with controlled display that sounds warning to their rivals at this summer’s Paris Olympics
Impregnable, implacable New Zealand brought upstarts France crashing back to earth by prevailing 10-7 in the battle of wills that was yesterday’s Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens final.
The swallow dive from Cody Vai as he crossed for the New Zealanders’ second try felt pointed, following flamboyant French try celebrations throughout the tournament.
The Kiwis’ taut performance sent a clearer message about their return to form, however, after they had laid waste to helpless Australia in their earlier semi-final.
For rivals with designs on Olympic glory, the words of Scott Curry, who flew over in the corner to open the scoring, should feel ominous.
“We earmarked this competition really early in the season,” he said. “We have a little honours board at home, and this was the one we singled out. We pinned it as one where we wanted to peak, we practised how to peak, and performed well. Come Olympics time, we can do it again.”
France, who made light work of Ireland in a one-sided semi-final, were aiming for a second successive tournament victory, having broken their 19-year duck with success in Los Angeles last month.
One did not quickly become two for France, despite some manful defence to frustrate the Kiwis for 10 minutes. Indeed, those in the packed stands of Hong Kong Stadium had to make their own fun with a Mexican wave early in the second half.
Curry bludgeoned through muscular resistance to return their attention to the field. France then self-destructed. Stephen Parez passed blind from the right touchline, and turned to watch in horror as Brady Rush gathered and passed inside for Vai, 19, to rub French noses in their sudden collapse.
Varian Pasquet broke away to get France on the board, but could not touch down before the hooter to force a restart.
Parez cut a forlorn figure at the end. He and Joachim Trouabal put himself through the pain of staying to watch New Zealand perform a stirring haka. It did not need a leap of imagination to suspect the pair wanted to commit the hurt to memory, as an incentive for avoiding a repeat experience. Other colleagues turned their backs as the Kiwis hoisted their silverware.
Aaron Grandidier, the France back, said his team were punished “because we could not keep the ball”. “We have the potential to achieve some incredible things, and it’s a shame we weren’t able to put it together in the final,” he said. “We learned a great deal tonight, and will come back stronger.”
New Zealand had not won in five previous tournaments this season, and latterly suffered the ignominy of finishing ninth and 10th in Perth and Los Angeles respectively. Reports of their demise had perhaps been exaggerated, given those limp efforts sandwiched a final in Vancouver. There was something symbolic, nonetheless, about Tone Ng Shiu bursting clear to complete the 26-7 last-four demolition of Australia.
As he gleefully crossed, a host of Australians slumped to the turf, brought low by New Zealand’s superior skill, speed and power.
Ng Shiu, who was especially satisfied to make up for missing his team’s Hong Kong triumph 12 months ago, said they now had a “target on our backs”, three months before the Paris Olympics.
“This is a stepping stone,” he said. “Hopefully we can keep rising and peak for the Olympics. Moments like these are why we go to those dark places in training. It’s because we love winning.”
Ng Shiu, who is a quarter Chinese, said he had “Chinese family here in the stadium, but I have no idea who they are”.
“But [my heritage] does make it more special,” he said. “All the guys say this is my tournament, so I have an advantage. This stadium is home sweet home.”
New Zealand will forever have a claim on it after winning their 13th Hong Kong crown to bid a jubilant farewell to a place that has been good to them.