New Zealand romped to victory in both the women's and men's finals of the Sydney Sevens to increase their leads at the top of the HSBC World Rugby Seven Series 2023 standings.
Sarah Hirini of New Zealand dive passes to Kelly Brazier at the 2022 World Cup Sevens tournament. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The All Blacks Sevens thrashed South Africa 38-0 in the men's final for their first Cup title of the 2023 Series, while the Black Ferns Sevens overpowered France 35-0.
It is the first time the teams in black have achieved a tournament double since Hamilton in 2020.
With three tournaments remaining, the Black Ferns Sevens are 12 points ahead of their nearest rivals Australia, who failed to make the last four on home turf, while New Zealand's men are now nine points clear of the Blitzboks after five rounds of action.
France's women will take plenty of positives from Sydney having reached their first Cup final in almost five years, while the USA claimed their third bronze medal of the Series after edging out Ireland 12-5.
Fiji's men returned to the podium for the first time since they finished runners-up in the opening tournament in Hong Kong after beating France 29-5 in the bronze medal decider.
With unprecedented floods ravaging Auckland, Black Ferns Sevens-winning captain Sarah Hirini used her post-match interview to send her love to those affected back home before thanking the Kiwi fans inside the Allianz Stadium.
"Back-to-backs are pretty hard and to come over here and have the support we've had, we love you guys, thank you. We're glad we could put on a show," she said.
Player of the Match Jorja Miller added: "We've been working really hard, this group, since the girls came back from 15s and I am really proud of how we grew together and progressed through the games."
After silver medal finishes in Cape Town and Hamilton, All Blacks Sevens captain Sam Dickson was delighted that his side finally got over the line.
"I'm so proud of the boys, we've been trying a while now, making a few finals but just missing out," he said.
"It was an unreal tournament for us, it's about time we had a polished performance like that.
"Our main goal is to qualify for the Olympics and to win the World Series. This is an absolute bonus."
Player of the Final Joe Webber added: "To hold South Africa to nil is pretty impressive. The boys have been working really hard over the last couple of months and we really deserved that one."
The 2023 Series is proving to be the most competitive in history with five different winners - Argentina, Australia, Samoa, South Africa and now New Zealand - in the five men's tournaments played so far.
The prize of Olympic Games Paris 2024 qualification on offer for the top four women's and men's teams in the 2023 Series standings means every match counts, while hosts France have pre-qualified for next summer's pinnacle event in the nation's capital.
The 2023 Series continues for the men in Los Angeles on 25-26 February, the women are next in action in a combined event in Vancouver from 3-5 March.
