Fiji Men and New Zealand Women Capture Singapore Titles in Dramatic Finals Showdown
Fiji's men staged a stunning comeback while New Zealand's women displayed sheer dominance to claim titles at the HSBC SVNS Singapore leg on Sunday, the event drew 40,000 fans to the National Stadium as both nations solidified their status as titans of the sport.
Decades of Rugby Heritage Sets Stage for Finals
The SVNS series has long been the premier circuit for international sevens rugby, it places immense pressure on traditional powerhouses to perform on a global scale. Fiji arrived in Singapore seeking to reclaim glory after recent struggles, they relied on their famous unpredictable style known as "Fijian flair" to unsettle opponents and please the crowds. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Black Ferns entered the tournament with a reputation for absolute consistency, they aimed to defend their strong track record in Singapore where they have historically excelled against elite competition. These finals represented more than just a single tournament win, they offered a chance for these nations to assert psychological dominance ahead of the season's halfway point.
Fiji Rallies and New Zealand Dominates in Sunday Matches
The men's final delivered high drama as Fiji overturned a daunting 12-0 halftime deficit against France to win 21-12, the team found their rhythm to score 21 unanswered points in the second period. Viwa Naduvalo was central to the effort and earned Player of the Match honors, this victory marked Fiji's first title of the current season and avenged previous losses. The path to the podium was difficult, Fiji had to eliminate their perennial rivals New Zealand with a hard-fought 21-14 victory in a classic semi-final matchup earlier in the day.
On the women's side of the draw, the New Zealand Black Ferns were unstoppable in their 36-7 dismantling of Australia to claim their third consecutive Singapore crown. The squad tallied an impressive 218 points throughout the weekend, key figures Jazmin Felix-Hotham and Jorja Miller led the charge by scoring two tries each in the final while Mahina Paul also crossed the line. The team dedicated their performance to a cause back home, they played in honor of victims affected by recent landslides near their training base in Mount Maunganui.
Standings Shift Ahead of Perth Tournament
These victories have immediately reshaped the global standings, Fiji now sits atop the men's leaderboard with 52 points while holding a narrow lead over their chasing rivals. The women's race has tightened significantly, New Zealand is now tied for first place with Australia at 38 points each. This deadlock intensifies the stakes for the upcoming tournament, teams have less than a week to recover before the next round of competition begins in Perth.
Officials confirmed that the series continues to evolve with plans for expansion later in 2026, players and coaches must now pivot quickly to prepare for the unique challenges of the Australian leg next weekend.
