The New Zealand All Blacks stole the show at the rugby union Hong Kong Sevens with a special performance of the traditional Māori Haka war dance after defeating England in the tournament final.
Led by captain DJ Forbes, the boys went shirtless in the pouring rain to celebrate the win.
Normally used a pre-match method of intimidation, the All Blacks celebrated their return to the top of the World Series Sevens table ahead of South Africa after the seventh round of the nine-leg series.
New Zealand came through in Hong Kong’s worst storm of the year, featuring the city’s highest rainstorm warning all year, hail and wind that reached speeds of 100 kilometers (62 miles) an hour.
Led by Forbes, New Zealand weathered the same storm that delayed some 200 flights on Sunday.
“That’s what I am there for – all the horse work,” Forbes said of the final.
“There’s a couple of us out there putting our heads in dark places. I am glad I am still able to do my job … But it was definitely a 12-man performance.”
“Every time the heavens open up we’ve been successful so maybe it adds an element to our game. We’re happy to do the contact stuff so maybe the conditions fell into our hands a little bit.”
Photo: Cameron Spencer (Getty Images)
Video appears courtesy of Fox Sports.
