Hong Kong Sevens: New Zealand bring in the big guns as Forbes helps them rise to the occasion
- HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series leaders off and running with 2 wins, and an eye on yet another final
- ‘We want to be the ones now that create those memories … that would just be a great way to end things on Sunday,’ says Stacey Waaka
The New Zealand women turned to the great DJ Forbes as they looked for an edge coming into the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, and it sounds like the Sevens legend duly delivered.
“He’s obviously the man,” Stacey Waaka, the Kiwi forward, said. “He remembered that haka they did back in 2014 when it was pouring down. We want to be the ones now that create those memories for our future generations.”
The women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series has arrived in town for the first time, with New Zealand well in control following four straight tournament titles and a final with arch-rivals Australia pretty short odds of happening on Sunday.
These two nations really need no extra fuel added to the fire when they line up against each other in any sport, but the Forbes talk has the Kiwis pumped and their opening day wins – 50-0 over Hong Kong and 43-0 over Great Britain – saw them flying across the park.
“It’s a massive rivalry, us and them and just because they’re such a big team,” Waaka said. “It’s cool playing against them and there’s no escaping that would just be a great way to end things on Sunday.”
Waaka feasted on an undersized Hong Kong, crossing three times and proving almost impossible to touch. She then added one late against Great Britain for good measure as Friday moved New Zealand into top gear ahead of a final pool match against Canada on Saturday morning.
