Waikato in top form for big event

Ariana Hira-Herangi (left) is a member of the New Zealand women's team.

Both Waikato Sevens teams have fired warning shots ahead of the 2015 Bayleys National Sevens in Rotorua early next year.

Both teams made their respective finals after a string of strong performances, with the women's side going one better than their made counterparts by taking out the title.

The women's side sailed through pool play undefeated, posting comprehensive wins over Bay of Plenty, Counties Manukau, Auckland and North Harbour before dispatching Auckland in the final 26-17.

The men's team fell at the final hurdle against Counties Manukau in a tight title decider, losing 17-15 in a performance that nonetheless bodes well for a busy Sevens summer ahead.

The result of the Waikato women's side, along with the performance of the champion Hamilton Girls' High School side at the BNZ Condor Sevens, demonstrates the future of the women's game is in good hands.

With four Hamilton Girls' High School players - Terina Te Tamaki, Tenika Willison, Te Awatea Whitiora Te Ura and Violet Hapi-Wise - all named in the girls' tournament team and Ariana Hira-Herangi becoming a member of the New Zealand women's team, the school is building a reputation for developing talent in the abbreviated version of the game.