NZ Men’s 7s defends HK 7s title after a close 10-7 win over France in Cup Final

The NZ Men’s 7s side has defended their HSBC Hong Kong 7s title after a gruelling 10-7 victory over France in the Cup Final tonight.

It was a tight contest after the match went into the break with both teams locked at nil-all.

NZ started the second half well scoring two unconverted tries in the 9th and 11th minute through Scott Curry and Codemeru Vai.

France toiled hard in attack but left it too late as they scored a converted try in the final seconds of the match through Varian Pasquet.

The French did not want to go for the conversion and to restart the with a kick-off since they scored with a few seconds left but referee AJ Jacobs said it was already fulltime so they just had to go for the conversion.

The win has seen them climb up to 5th place with 73 points, overtaking Australia who has dropped to 6th place with 69 points.

Argentina still leads the overall points table with 94 points, followed by Ireland with 86 points and Fiji is 3rd with 76 points.

Meanwhile, NZ also won the Women’s Cup Final after defeating the USA 36-7.

Live Updates

0' NZ kicks off the first half of this cup final. NZ 0-0 FRA

3' Scrum to France inside their own territory after NZ knocks the ball on. NZ 0-0 FRA

4' Penalty awarded to France inside NZ's territory. France opts to run it. NZ 0-0 FRA

5' NZ defended well forcing France to knock the ball on inside NZ's 22 metre line. Scrum to NZ. NZ 0-0 FRA

6' NZ knocks the ball on inside France's 5 metre line after a breakout play from inside their own 22 metre line. NZ 0-0 FRA

HALFTIME: NZ 0-0 FRA

7' France kicks off the second half of this Cup Final. NZ 0-0 FRA

7' NZ wins an early penalty inside their own half. They opt for a lineout. NZ 0-0 FRA

9' Scott Curry scores NZ 's first try in the corner. Conversion unsuccessful. NZ 5-0 FRA

11' Codemeru Vai scores NZ's second try to extend their lead. Conversion unsuccessful. NZ 10-0 FRA

12' Scrum awarded to France after NZ knocks the ball on. NZ 10-0 FRA

13' NZ wins a scrum inside France's 10 metre line. NZ 10-0 FRA

14' France scores at the stroke of fulltime. NZ 10-7 FRA