Hamilton Sevens

The Black Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens fell centimetres short of completing a double defence of the titles they won in 2020, last time the tournament was held before COVID-19 struck.

While the NZ women swept all before them en route to keeping their crown, defeating USA in the final, the men were pipped by Argentina, when Brady Rush marginally failed to force the ball for a winning try after the siren.

The city hosted the tournament over the weekend with sell-out crowds at Waikato Stadium on both days.

Fiji took out the title after beating South Africa 24-17. New Zealand had to settle for fourth.

The New Zealand Rugby Union and World Rugby said the inaugural event in Hamilton over the weekend was a success, but New Zealand must now tender to host a series from 2020 onwards.

New Zealand Sevens Tournament general manager Steve Dunbar said hosting a world series in New Zealand could not be taken for granted.

It was a physical match between the two rivals.

The half-time score was 7-5.

Fiji scored the first try through Sevuloni Mocenacagi in the 4th minute and with Amenoni Nasilasila converting from out wide, Fiji took a 7-0 lead.

Samoa scored just before half-time to reduce the gap to 7-5. 

Fiji coach Gareth Baber told the players at half-time to keep possession and to make good tackles.

However Samoa scored the first try of the second half as they took a 10-7 lead.

The Olympic champions finished top of their pool at last weekend's Sydney tournament, including wins over Samoa and New Zealand.

But their title hopes were ended with a 24-7 defeat by the USA in the Cup quarter final, before the All Blacks Sevens cruised to a 31-7 victory in the playoff for fifth place.

Gareth Baber said they weren't good enough when it mattered, with kick-offs an area that needs some work.

The Hamilton 7s tournament is the fourth event of the 2017/2018 world sevens series.

Under the watchful eyes of coach Douglas Gusie, Pukpuks had to recover quickly from their Sydney sevens performance.

The Hamilton sevens is part of the HSBC World Sevens series that the PNG Pukpuks have qualified for this year.

Hamilton sevens action is set for the 3rd and 4th of February when the HSBC New Zealand Sevens takes over FMG Stadium at Waikato.

Crowds will fill 23,600 seats at FMG Stadium Waikato from February 3-4 for the New Zealand leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

The Waikato city is set to host the tournament for the first time after it moved from Wellington due to low ticket sales.

New Zealand Sevens general manager Steve Dunbar said Sevens is the hottest ticket for summer in Hamilton.