'It doesn't just happen': Stacey Waaka reflects on historic 'first' in Hong Kong

World Series leaders New Zealand “wanted to make history” at the Cathy/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens last weekend, and that’s exactly what they did.

Playing at the spiritual home of the sport for the first time ever on the Women’s World Series, the Black Ferns Sevens defeated rivals Australia 26-17 in a thrilling Cup final.

Australia raced out to an early lead after Bienne Terita crossed for a try in just the second minute, and rising star Teagan Levi added the extras.

The women in gold were playing with plenty of confidence and momentum throughout the first half, but they couldn’t quite make the most of their dominance on the scoreboard – which ended up costing them.

Sevens is a funny game – it can all change in a moment, as it did on Sunday night.

Referee George Selwood awarded a penalty try to New Zealand with two minutes to play in the first half after veteran Kelly Brazier was tackled without the ball by Bienne Terita.

Then, about 56 seconds later, Black Ferns star Stacey Waaka gave her side the lead – with a trademark grin on her face as well.

Australia hit back through captain Charlotte Caslick shortly after, but second half tries to Michaela Blyde and Waaka proved to be the difference.

After walking off the sacred turf at Hong Kong Stadium with a smile on her face, Waaka reflected on the “history” that the Black Ferns had made.

“We wanted to make history and we did, we’re the first ones to win the World Series here in Hong Kong,” Stacey Waaka told RugbyPass.

“It’s cool because our talk before the game was ‘it doesn’t just happen, you have to make it happen.’ I feel like everyone fought for their roles, the bench came on and they did their impact.

“It was a tight game and it always is because Australia is a great team, they absolutely are.

“But in the big pressure moments where good teams stand up and we managed to be on that side of the coin.

“Physically we’re probably about the same at the moment and 14 minutes is a long time to play a final, especially when you’ve got two great running teams.

“But I think we potentially got off on that one mentally.”

Pioneers of the women’s game including Waaka, Sarah Hirini and Shiray Kaka had etched their names into the record books with an historic title at Hong Kong Stadium.

For a team of world-class athletes who had achieved it all on the sevens circuit, their success in Hong Kong reaffirms their place in history as modern day greats.

But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows on Sunday night. Waaka was named the Player of the Final, but there was one blunder that couldn’t be ignored.

With the tryline in sight, the 27-year-old had the ball knocked out of her hands by Australia’s Maddison Levi.

“I just needed to make things interesting,” Waaka joked.

“It’s always a close battle (between) us and Aussie, I had to take it right down to the last minute and it happened. I’m just joking.

With two tries in the final, Stacey Waaka is the @HSBC_Sport Player of the Final#HSBC7s | #HK7s | @nz_sevens pic.twitter.com/rYMpp3meGI

— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 2, 2023

“I can hear my brothers back home, I know my phone is going to be blowing up because I did shank a try.

“But it’s all good, we’re not perfect, it just goes to show out there that we’re not perfect, but you can still win games when you make mistakes.”

The Black Ferns Sevens have won the last five events on the women’s circuit, and are on the cusp of a World Series crown.

In 36 days’ time, New Zealand will look to secure a world title in Toulouse later. That tournament – which is the final stop on the Women’s World Series this season – will be held from May 12 to 14.