Double treat in the Tron

• Author: Christopher Reive in Hamilton
• Published date: 22 January 2023
• Publication title: Herald on Sunday

On the opening day’s play in Hamilton, both the Black Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens went through their pools unbeaten to clinch places in the quarter-finals

In 2020, the first time a full women’s tournament featured as part of the New Zealand event, the Kiwi sides both left with titles, and with World Rugby confirming it will not be bringing the event back to New Zealand in the 2023-24 season and beyond, a repeat would be the perfect farewell for the home fans.

“I feel more for the young boys who haven’t had the opportunity to play here much, or at all,” All Blacks Sevens captain Sam Dickson said.

“I do feel for them because to be playing at home means a lot to us Kiwis, also to the other Kiwis who come and watch, and also to the Pacific nations; this is pretty much their home tournament as well. Hopefully, World Rugby can realise the mistake they’ve made and bring it back at some point.”

A crowd of more than 17,000 showed up for the first day of action, with the sky blue of Fijian supporters taking over much of the stadium; “a bit of a sea of blue”, as Black Ferns Sevens star Stacey Fluhler put it.

But those in attendance were quick to find their voices early and often in support of the Kiwi teams, who put on impressive displays throughout.

For the Black Ferns Sevens, they sent a big statement in their pool matches by holding Papua New Guinea (56-0), Fiji (27-0) and Great Britain (20-0) scoreless.

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