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Black Ferns Sevens captain Sarah Hirini reaches SVNS Series milestone

By Finn Morton at Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong

48 days ago

Sarah Hirini #5 of Team New Zealand enters the field prior to the Women’s Pool A match between Team New Zealand and Team People’s Republic China on day two of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on July 28, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Black Ferns Sevens captain Sarah Hirini joined an exclusive club on Saturday by becoming the latest HSBC SVNS Series star to score 100 career tries. Hirini achieved the feat during New Zealand’s comprehensive 29-7 win over Brazil at the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.

On an unforgettable opening day at the all-new Kai Tak Stadium, Hirini was left hanging on 99 SVNS Series tries after crossing for a double against the USA. New Zealand had beaten China 45-nil earlier on Friday, with Risi Pouri-Lane and Mahina Paul scoring two each in that match.

When the Black Ferns Sevens took the field for their last pool stage fixture, many wondered if Hirini would have that history-making moment against Thalia Costa’s Brazil. While it didn’t come right away, Hirini ended up scoring that popular try in the 10^th minute.

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That was the latest in a long list of Hirini’s legendary rugby achievements.

To name only some, Hirini is a two-time Olympic gold medallist after miraculously returning from injury in time for Paris last July, a Rugby World Cup Sevens champion from 2018, a dual World Cup winner in 15s, and once led New Zealand as a flag bearer at the Tokyo Games.

Hirini is considered one of the sport’s all-time greats. With New Zealand’s skipper racing away for this effort against Brazil, Hirini has joined an exclusive 100 try club that also includes the likes of Michaela Brake, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Charlotte Caslick and Maddison Levi.

“Pretty happy to be honest. Obviously, getting the 99 last night, I just wanted to try and get that 100 mark,” Hirini said on RugbyPass TV.

A milestone moment for Sarah Hirini 🔥
100 tries scored in #HSBCSVNS 🇦🇺#HSBCSVNSHKG | @nz_sevens pic.twitter.com/rMZidKgSTL
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— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) March 29, 2025

“It’s taken me a little while but I’m pretty stoked by that.

“… Just being here in Hong Kong at the new stadium, any rugby’s good rugby.”

Hirini’s try stole the show after New Zealand’s 22-point win, but the captain wasn’t the only star who shone brightly as the women in black finished pool play with a stunning points differential of +79 from just three matches.

Brake scored a double, and Kelsey Teneti and Pouri-Lane also crossed for a five-pointer each as coach Cory Sweeney’s team secured a promising victory. The USA qualified for the quarter-finals as the second-placed team out of Pool A, with Brazil in third and China fourth.

After walking off the field at Kai Tak Stadium, Hirini was asked about the Black Ferns Sevens’ younger players who have already made their mark in the jersey. Hirini was quick to playfully label Jorja Miller as “a freak” before listing off another couple of names.

“They’re all pretty amazing,” Hirini began to explain. “Obviously, Jorja Miller’s a freak.

“Then the likes of Kelsey (Teneti) and Manaia (Nuku), who are getting some awesome gametime this season, are really stepping up for us.

“It’s pretty nice to have some young guns with some fresh legs.”

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Comments

1 Comment

BAZ 48 days ago

SARAH HIRINI IS A LIVING LEGEND! HOPE MANY OF BLACK FERNS SEVENS MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE FOR 2025 WOMEN’S RWC LATER THIS YEAR TOO!😛

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 4 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 4 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 4 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 4 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 4 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 4 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍