Black Ferns confident to beat Australia in Hong Kong

New Zealand's Black Ferns Sevens team, led by skipper Sarah Hirini, aims to secure a third consecutive title at this weekend's Hong Kong Sevens. They will face their main rivals, Australia, at Kai Tak Stadium. Hirini expressed confidence in her team's ability to beat Australia, which they have already done twice in previous tournaments. New Zealand won against Australia in the final of the Hong Kong Sevens last year and again in the semi-finals in 2023. Despite their competitive history, both teams feel the pressure to perform well. Currently, the Black Ferns have a six-point lead over Australia in the HSBC series standings. They recently lost to Australia in the final in Perth in January, adding to the rivalry. Hirini stated she believes in her team's chances, saying, "I would back us any day of the week." A victory in Hong Kong would give them a significant advantage before heading into the final leg of the series in Singapore. The team has been discussing strategies with coaching staff to extend their lead in the standings.