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Black Ferns Sevens captain Sarah Hirini reaches SVNS Series milestone
By Finn Morton at Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong
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.
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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 10th 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
ADVERTISEMENT— 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.
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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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SARAH HIRINI IS A LIVING LEGEND! HOPE MANY OF BLACK FERNS SEVENS MAKE THEMSELVES AVAILABLE FOR 2025 WOMEN’S RWC LATER THIS YEAR TOO!😛