New Zealand have claimed their advantage in the SVNS Championship after taking out the opening event, defeating Australia in the Hong Kong Final.
The Black Ferns Sevens proved too strong as they showed their class in the 19-14 win, claiming the win in the 50th anniversary of the event.
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It was destiny that the two teams battled it out for the title, with Australia booking their spot after a 26-5 win over France in the semi-finals, setting up the seventh trans-Tasman Final of the season in as many events.
Tia Hinds and Maddison Levi crossed for doubles as the Aussies hunted for their first title at the home of the World Series.
The Kiwis started the decider on fire as Mahina Paul crossed for the opener after just three minutes.
Jorja Miller spun her magic for a 14-0 lead before the Aussies worked their way back into the contest,
Australia co-captain Bella Nasser reduced the lead right before the break, striking before the half-time whistle from the kick-off.
But a yellow card to Teagan Levi for a dangerous tackle in the air proved costly, allowing Kelsey Teneti to build a 12-point lead right after half-time.
The Aussies refused to give up, with Australian try-scoring record-holder Levi crossing with seconds remaining to give Tim Walsh's side hope should they retain the kick-off.
In the end, the Australians forced the error; however, it occurred seconds after the siren, ending the game and giving the Kiwis victory.
The win gives the New Zealanders the edge heading into the final two events of the leg, putting them two points ahead on the overall ladder.
The SVNS World Series heads to Valladolid in late May, before the title is decided in Bordeaux a week later.
Meanwhile, the Aussie men lamented a poor finish to their tournament, ending in sixth place.
They started on fire, sweeping through their pool undefeated, including a gutsy win over New Zealand.
However, they ran into a determined Spain in the quarter finals, falling to Fiji in the fifth-place playoff.
