April 6, 2025 – Fiji’s men and New Zealand’s women were crowned champions at the final regular season stop of the HSBC SVNS 2025 in Singapore, with New Zealand and Argentina securing the overall League Winner titles ahead of next month’s highly anticipated World Championship in Los Angeles.
Fiji’s men produced a stunning second-half comeback to beat Kenya 21-12 in a thrilling final at the Singapore National Stadium. Down 7-0 at halftime after a powerful Kenyan start led by Nygel Pettersan Amatisa, the Olympic champions stormed back with three second-half tries, including a brace from HSBC Player of the Final Viwa Naduvalo and one from Rauto Vakadranu. Kenya added a late consolation try through William Mwanji Indakalu but it wasn’t enough to stop Fiji from claiming their first Series win of the season.
“The Kenyan team was coming very hard, they are a good side and very physical. It was so tough,” said Fiji’s Tira Wilag Pattersoni. Naduvalo added, “Thanks to my teammates for giving 100% effort. We ended up with the win.”
In the women’s final, New Zealand’s Black Ferns Sevens showcased their dominance with a commanding 31-7 win over fierce rivals Australia. Tries from Michaela Blyde, Risi Pouri-Lane, Jazmin Felix-Hotham, Kelsey Teneti, and a second from Blyde powered the reigning Olympic champions to victory. Australia’s Maddison Levi continued her prolific form with a try in the final, taking her to a record-breaking 203 career scores, and surpassing Charlotte Caslick as Australia’s top try scorer in finals.
Risi Pouri-Lane, named HSBC Player of the Final, said: “It’s been an awesome couple of weeks for us. Australia are full of talent and the girls are still young. It is awesome to come up against them because we know they always bring it.”
Team captain Sarah Hirini celebrated the double achievement: “We’re stoked for this group. Everyone knows when you win the title and the tournament, it’s an even greater feeling.”
League Winners and Final Standings
Despite a third-place finish in Singapore, Argentina’s men sealed the SVNS 2025 League Winner title for the second consecutive year, finishing with 104 points, ahead of Fiji (96) and Spain (88). Argentina bounced back from a semi-final loss to Fiji with a 33-14 bronze medal win over Spain.
New Zealand’s women comfortably retained their League Winner crown with 116 points after winning four of six rounds. Australia finished second on 106 points, followed by France (80), Canada (72), and Japan (64). Canada claimed bronze in Singapore with a 21-5 win over France.
Semi-Final Highlights
Kenya reached their first final since 2021 with a determined 12-5 win over Spain in the semi-final, delighting their vocal fan base. Fiji, meanwhile, booked their place in the final with a pulsating 33-24 victory over League winners Argentina.
In the women’s semi-finals, Australia crushed Canada 45-7 while New Zealand outclassed France 40-14.
Looking Ahead: HSBC SVNS World Championship in Los Angeles
The top eight men’s and women’s teams now head to Los Angeles for the inaugural HSBC SVNS World Championship 2025, a high-stakes, winner-takes-all finale on 3–4 May at Dignity Health Sports Park, the future rugby sevens venue for the LA 2028 Olympics.
The pools for the World Championship are as follows:
Women’s Pools:
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Pool A: New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Great Britain
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Pool B: Australia, France, USA, Fiji
Men’s Pools:
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Pool A: Argentina, South Africa, France, Great Britain
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Pool B: Fiji, Spain, Australia, New Zealand
Former All Blacks legend Dan Carter, who was in attendance in Singapore, praised the format: “I like it. It brings an edge, a sense of unpredictability. You can dominate the series, but in the finals, anything can happen – just like last year.”
In addition to the championship, teams ranked 9th to 12th in the SVNS standings will compete against the top four teams from the Sevens Challenger Series in a separate Play-Off in Los Angeles. The final round of the Challenger Series takes place in Krakow, Poland, on 11–12 April.
With the stage now set for a blockbuster conclusion in LA, all eyes will be on who can hold their nerve and lift the ultimate prize in the 2025 SVNS season.
