Hong Kong Sevens 2024: New Zealand peak just as they planned, to retain the title ‘we singled out’
- ‘We earmarked this competition really early in the season,’ Scott Curry says, adding that Hong Kong was an event ‘where we wanted to peak’
- Having won in Los Angeles last time out, France contribute to own downfall in tight final
Impregnable, implacable New Zealand brought upstarts France crashing back to earth by prevailing 10-7 in the battle of wills that was the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens final on Sunday.
The swallow dive from Cody Vai as he crossed for the New Zealanders’ second try felt pointed, following flamboyant French try celebrations throughout the tournament.
The Kiwis’ controlled performance sent a clearer message about their return to form, however, after they had laid waste to helpless Australia in their earlier semi-final.
For rivals with designs on Olympic glory, the words of Scott Curry, who flew over in the corner to open the scoring, should feel ominous.
“We earmarked this competition really early in the season,” he said. “We have a little honours board at home, and this was the only one we singled out. We pinned it as one where we wanted to peak, we practised how to peak, and performed well. Come Olympics time, we can do it again.”
