Andy Devaney
Under the closed roof and open throttle of HSBC SVNS Singapore, Fiji did what Fiji do best: turn panic into poetry. Trailing 12-0 at half-time and looking about as comfortable as a prop in a Pilates class, they flipped the script on France to win 21-12 and retain their crown in Singapore.
Fiji spot the panic button… and press fast-forward
France flew out like a side that had somewhere to be, storming into that 12-0 interval lead with tries from Jordan Sepho and Paulin Riva. Clinical, disciplined, annoyingly efficient – the sort of rugby that gives coaches warm feelings and Fijian fans mild heart palpitations.
But if there’s one golden rule on the SVNS circuit, it’s this: never assume Fiji are done until the final conversion has landed in the car park.
Blessed with attacking options in every postcode, Fiji steadied themselves after the break and then did what only they seem able to do – play like the laws of physics are merely guidelines. Viwa Naduvalo sparked the comeback with a try that turned the momentum, Kavekini Tanivanuakula followed up to tighten the vice, and Pilipo Bukayaro finished the job as the Fijians roared past France to lift their first title of the season – and their second in a row in Singapore.
Player of the match Naduvalo had his priorities straight afterwards. “First of all I want to thank the Lord Almighty for giving us the victory. “Credit to the boys for giving their effort – we work together as a unit and we came up with the win.”
It’s a city that clearly suits him.
“I made my debut here, so it’s like playing at home. Yes, Singapore is a great place to play.”
“Like playing at home” – and winning from behind… again
For captain Jeremaia Matana, this was the third comeback of a weekend that must have taken several years off the Fijian fan base. They had already chased down South Africa and New Zealand earlier in the tournament before doing the same to France when it mattered most.
An emotional Matana said: “It’s amazing and I want to give the glory and honour to the Man above. I’m so happy and proud of the boys. We came back strongly and I want to thank the boys for their hard work.”
Behind them, New Zealand edged South Africa 14-12 in the third-place play-off thanks to a brilliant match-winner from Michael Manson, while Australia tidied things up by securing fifth. On a weekend where HSBC SVNS Singapore rarely took a breath, there wasn’t much room for dull rugby.
Black Ferns Sevens turn rivalry into rout
If the men’s final was a comeback thriller, the women’s decider was a statement – written in bold, underlined, and posted first-class. New Zealand demolished fierce rivals Australia 36-7 in the women’s final of the HSBC SVNS Series, sealing their third successive title in Singapore and reminding everyone why they’re the standard in the women’s game.
These two have spent the season trading blows like old rivals at a family reunion. New Zealand took the honours in Dubai, Australia struck back in Cape Town, and HSBC SVNS Singapore became the rubber match. The Black Ferns Sevens didn’t just win it – they owned it, in a city where they’re beginning to look very much at home ahead of next weekend’s tournament in Perth, Australia.
This was also a deeply emotional victory. It came as an apt tribute to those who lost their lives in the recent landslides at Mount Maunganui, a tragedy close to both the women’s and men’s New Zealand squads, who are based on the country’s North Island.
Felix-Hotham, Miller and Paul light up Singapore
On the field, New Zealand’s platform was built by clinical braces from Jazmin Felix-Hotham and Jorja Miller – two players who lit up the Singapore leg from start to finish – plus a try from Mahina Paul that added an exclamation mark rather than a full stop.
Bienne Terita clawed one back for Australia, but Katelyn Vahaakolo finished the job with another Black Ferns Sevens score to seal a fifth straight win for New Zealand over the weekend. By the time the dust had settled, they had racked up an eye-watering 218 points across the tournament.
Two-try Miller, named player of the final, summed up the mood in the New Zealand camp:
“I’m so stoked and proud of the girls. It’s been an awesome atmosphere in a beautiful city.”
Captain Risi Pouri-Lane didn’t need any help finding superlatives either. “Every single one of the girls stepped up this weekend. I’m so proud of them and really stoked for the team. Defence is best part of the game but we’ve got another tournament in Perth next weekend. Things can change quickly, but we want to do it all over again.”
Behind them, Canada edged USA 24-19 in extra-time, thanks to a dramatic winner from the mercurial Olivia Apps, while France fought through to claim fifth.
40,000 fans, one Danny Care and a spicy Perth draw
With around 40,000 fans packing into Singapore’s National Stadium across the weekend, HSBC SVNS Singapore felt less like a stop on the world tour and more like a rugby festival with its own micro-climate. Once the trophies were lifted, attention turned to the fourth round in Perth, with England scrum-half and international veteran Danny Care roped in to conduct the draw.
He wasn’t dealing out any favours.
In the men’s competition, newly crowned champions Fiji landed in a heavyweight Pool A alongside South Africa, Spain and Argentina – a group that looks more like a knock-out bracket than an opening phase.
Losing finalists France head up a nasty-looking Pool B featuring New Zealand, Australia and Great Britain. Any one of those sides could credibly top the group; at least one of them is going to have a very unpleasant Sunday evening.
On the women’s side, Singapore champions New Zealand have been drawn in Pool A with USA, Fiji and Japan as the HSBC SVNS roadshow shifts “down under” next weekend. Beaten Singapore finalists Australia face a stern test in Pool B, where they’ll meet Canada, France and Great Britain.
In other words: bring snacks, there will be upsets.
HSBC SVNS Singapore: see you back at Kallang
For all the drama on the field, Singapore itself once again emerged as one of the big winners of the series. Players talked about the atmosphere, the noise that rolls around The Kallang Stadium, and the feeling – particularly for Fiji and New Zealand – that this is becoming a second home.
The good news for fans is that HSBC SVNS Singapore isn’t going anywhere.
HSBC SVNS Singapore is set to return to The Kallang Stadium on 30 and 31 January 2027. More information on the series can be found at SVNS.com.
