Great Britain over New Zealand 26–19 in a men's Pool B match at the 2026 HSBC SVNS Perth at HBF Stadium on February 7, 2026 in Perth, Australia.

Highlights: HSBC SVNS Perth 2026 | DAY 1

Day one of the HSBC SVNS at HBF Park delivered high-octane drama as temperatures soared past 35°C. In the men’s competition, hosts Australia secured a semi-final berth by finishing atop their pool, though they were pushed to the limit by Great Britain in a 24-21 nail-biter.

Meanwhile, Fiji dominated the “Pool of Death,” overcoming a 14-point deficit against South Africa to win 20-14 and claim the top spot in Pool A.

Men’s Action: Dramatic Finishes and Pool Upsets

New Zealand’s men’s side experienced a rollercoaster day, suffering a shock loss to Great Britain before bouncing back to stun France with a golden-point victory from Frank Vaenuku.

In Pool A, Argentina’s recent struggles continued; despite their status as back-to-back Perth winners, they slumped to the bottom of the pool after losses to Fiji, South Africa, and a resurgent Spanish side led by Jeremy Trevithick’s five tries.

Women’s Action: Australia and New Zealand Set the Pace

In the women’s draw, Australia and New Zealand remained unstoppable, both finishing the day with perfect records. The Black Ferns Sevens were particularly clinical, racking up 17 tries across three matches, including a dominant 31-0 victory over the USA.

Australia matched this intensity, fueled by Maddison Levi’s scoring prowess and a Heidi Dennis hat-trick, dispatching Great Britain, France, and Canada to secure their semi-final spot.

Semi-Final Matchups

The stage is set for a blockbuster Sunday in Perth. In the men’s bracket, Fiji will face New Zealand while Australia takes on South Africa. In the women’s competition, the Black Ferns Sevens meet France, and Australia will battle the USA for a place in the final.