8 Apr 2019

Fiji win record Hong Kong Sevens crown

6:49 am on 8 April 2019

Fiji won the Hong Kong leg of the World Sevens Series for a record fifth straight time by defeating an in-form France 21-7 in the final, climbing past New Zealand into second place in the overall standings.

Fiji make it five straight in Hong Kong.

Fiji make it five straight in Hong Kong. Photo: Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby

Fiji coach Gareth Baber called it a "fantastic feeling" while also dedicating the trophy to the victims of last month's Christchurch mosque terror attacks.

"It's a fantastic feeling and I'm sure that it will sink in over the next two or three days," Baber said after the game. "I think that all of this has been in the backdrop of what happened in Christchurch, obviously our hearts and our thoughts go out to all of those families and this is a dedication to them."

Overall series leaders the United States, who were beaten 28-19 by Fiji in the semifinals, finished third with victory over Samoa.

The US top the standings by seven points ahead of Fiji in second, with New Zealand third a further five points back with three legs remaining in Singapore, London and Paris.

The top four nations directly qualify for next year's Olympics in Tokyo.

Earlier, France became the first European side to make the final in Hong Kong since England in 2014, knocking off Las Vegas finalist Samoa 19-12 in the last four and upsetting New Zealand 14-12 in the quarterfinals. It was France's first ever victory over the All Black Sevens, who finished sixth in Hong Kong.