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'You can feel the electric energy': Hong Kong crowd parties as Blacks Ferns dominate
By Ned Lester
The Black Ferns have wasted no time in making their mark on the Hong Kong Sevens tournament, picking up where they left off in Vancouver with two huge wins to round out day one of the tournament.
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The Ferns enjoyed complete control in both of their matches, beating tournament hosts Hong Kong China by 50 before handing out a similar drubbing to Great Britain to finish the opening day with 93 points scored and not a single point against them.
A vibrant atmosphere engulfed the Hong Kong stadium early, much to the enjoyment of the players. Risi Pouri-Lane described the “electric energy” of the tournament as a “party”.
“Just being in the tunnel, you can feel the electric energy from the crowd and it’s only day one, it’s only Friday so there’ll be much more to look forward to come tomorrow and Sunday,” Pouri Lane told RugbyPass after bagging two tries against Great Britain.
“It’s a party, it’s a party here in Hong Kong. While we’re out on the field it’s hard to hear each other but we love it, we love the energy from everyone in the crowd.”
Both tries the 22-year-old scored came in the first half, meaning she was dotting the ball down in front of the most energised fans in the building.
“The party is on the south stand,” she continued. “You can see it, you can feel it, I mean we’re just out here having some fun. It’s amazing to be here in Hong Kong.”
The weird and wonderful world of the South Stand at #HK7s #HowWeSevens | #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/g1TUe0BMyw
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) April 1, 2023
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Pouri-Lane and Black Ferns teammate Shiray Kaka went try for try in the first half, each ending the period with ten points to their name.
“She’s always after me, Shiray Kaka! Nah, it’s pretty cool when you’re both having a good time here in Hong Kong. Can’t wait for tomorrow.
“We’ve been training back home, like all the other teams here, but it’s pretty cool to come out on the field and pull out some of the stuff we’ve been working on.”
The Black ferns currently sit comfortably ahead of their peers in pool A, with one match against Canada still to come on Saturday afternoon before playoffs begin.
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