New Zealand weathered an Australian fightback to win their first HSBC SVNS title since Singapore back in 2024, as they followed in the footsteps of the Black Ferns Sevens to claim double gold in the desert.
Earlier, last year’s champions Fiji claimed third, South Africa gave themselves a boost on the road to the second stop of the HSBC SVNS Series in Cape Town, and a new-look Great Britain proved they should not be taken lightly as they got the better of back-to-back League champions Argentina.
FINAL: All Blacks Sevens end long title drought
New Zealand claimed their first tournament win on the HSBC SVNS tour since winning in Singapore in 2024, beating Australia 26-22 in the gold medal match.
Australia were first on the scoreboard through Maurice Longbottom in a no-holds-barred encounter that rounded off the weekend’s action in Dubai in style.
New Zealand hit back with two scores in quick succession from Dylan Collier and Akuila Rokolisoa to lead at the break, while Brady Rush pulled off a decisive try-saving tackle. But Australia went into the halftime huddle angry at a refereeing decision that they thought stopped them scoring a comeback try.
Sione Molia extended the All Black Sevens’ lead early in the second half, before William Cartwright and Harry Wilson pulled Australia back to within a score.
But Jayden Keelan settled matters in New Zealand’s favour, leaving Wilson to score a final consolation on the hooter.
Player of the final Brady Rush said immediately afterwards: “[I’m] pretty stoked with that. It’s obviously been a while, but I’m pretty happy to get it done for our captain Tone [Ng Shiu] in his 50th tourney.
“It shows all the hard work we’ve put up in preseason, so we’re looking forward to the rest of the season.”
And captain Ng Shiu had a warning for New Zealand’s rivals. Looking deeper into the series, he said: “It’s a great start. But, just from here, if we can be consistent with the little things, it’ll make a great difference in the big picture.”
Bronze Final: Outgoing champions Fiji claim third with feisty win over France
Fiji got the better of the second meeting in as many days in Dubai between the 2024 Olympic final opponents, as both sides set out to show they would have graced the final.
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Josselin Bouhier got the scoreboard moving for France, before Fiji kicked into gear with tries for Jeremaia Matana, Viwa Naduvalo — his sixth over the weekend — Terio Veilawa, and Manueli Maisamoa.
A red card for Sakiusa Siqila for a dangerous tackle came too late for Les Bleus to change the result, as Fiji claimed bronze with a 24-7 win, a year after finishing top of the pile in the desert.
Tournament debutant William Cartwright had earlier broken French hearts in the semi-final, scoring two second-half tries as Australia won a nip-tuck affair 14-0.
Viwa Naduvalo’s hat-trick was in vain as New Zealand turned back the clock to end Fiji’s dreams of a successful defence of their Dubai title. Brady Rush scored the crucial try as the seconds ticked down at the end of a momentum-swinging, lead-changing match, as the All Blacks Sevens won 24-21.
Play-offs: South Africa bag boost before HSBC SVNS heads to Cape Town
It wasn’t easy, but South Africa proved too good for a determined Spain side in the fifth-place final. Shilton van Wyk, David Brits and Mfundo Ndhlovu all scored as they claimed a deserved 21-12 victory to regain some confidence before their home tournament next weekend
Earlier, Josep Serres had the last try-scoring word of nine as Spain roared back from 28-5 down at halftime to beat out-of-sorts Argentina 28-31 on the hooter in an early day two contender for match of the tournament.
Spain coach Francisco Hernández was delighted with his side’s first win in Dubai, but insisted there was still work to do. “It was a tough game, but we’re happy to get this win,” he told Rugbypass TV immediately afterwards. “[We need to] keep improving, keep doing the basics well – that’s the way to win games at this level.
Shilton van Wyk then scored twice for South Africa as they comfortably beat a Great Britain side long on potential and short on experience 34-0.
But Great Britain laid down a marker as they finished their tournament on a high, with Marcus Kershaw and Ryan Apps each running in late tries as they came from behind to claim seventh place with a 24-19 win over last season’s league champions Argentina.