The Black Ferns Sevens ended Australia’s 28-game winning streak at the Dubai Sevens, reclaiming the cup title in the desert for the first time since 2019 with a convincing 29-14 victory over their Trans-Tasman rivals in the final.
Heading into the final, Australia boasted superior form, having won every match while scoring more points and tries than the Olympic champions. However, in a twist reminiscent of last season's challenges, stop the prolific Maddison Levi and Australia struggles.
The Black Ferns Sevens delivered a defensive masterclass, dominating collisions, stifling rucks, and expertly nullifying space to create and then capitalise on Australian errors. An errant pass from Levi in the opening minute handed possession to the Black Ferns, allowing slick offloading among three players that led to Stacey Waaka crossing for the first try.
Kelsey Teneti is quickly establishing herself as one of the most explosive left wingers in Sevens. She seized the opportunity when an Australian attack broke down again.
Miller scored a try just 15 seconds into day one against France and maintained her relentless performance throughout the tournament. When the World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year teamed up with Jazmin Felix-Hotham in the final, the score quickly reached 15-0 in favour of the Black Ferns Sevens.
Australia had to regroup at halftime, but it wasn't enough. A fourth try from Risi Pouri-Lane, who sprinted 60 metres, effectively sealed the contest.
The Black Ferns Sevens have won in Dubai six times and hold an impressive record of 43-11 in SVNS finals, along with a 21-9 record against Australia.
In the opening round, they defeated France 24-21, making history as the first country in SVNS to win 350 games. However, their 22-game winning streak was unexpectedly halted by a loss to the USA in the following match. The Black Ferns Sevens lost focus while leading 17-7, and the American team’s winning try was questionable due to a clear forward pass in the build-up. This setback may have ignited their performance on day two, which was as imperious as anything seen during the 2024/25 season, where the record was 35 wins and just two defeats.
There was a Black Ferns Sevens debut for Braxton Sorensen-McGee and a growing role for teenager Maia Davis.
Black Ferns Sevens Dubai Results
Black Ferns Sevens: 24 (Miller 2, Pouri-Lane, Saili tries; Davis con, Sorenson-McGee con) France: 21 (Mariama Tandiang 2, Alycia Chrystiaens tries; Kelly Arbey, Suliana Sivi, Chrystiaens cons)
Black Ferns Sevens: 17 (Teneti 2, Pouri-Lane tries; Davis con) USA: 21 (Su Adegoke, Sarah Levy, Erica Coulibaly tries; Tahna Wilifley 2 cons, Sarah Inarra con)
Black Ferns Sevens: 31 (Miller 2, Waaka, Felix-Hotham, Teneti tries; Davis 2 cons, Pouri-Lane con) Fiji: 12 (Lavena Cavuru, Reapi Ulunisai tries; Cavuru con)
Black Ferns Sevens: 31 (Paul 2, Miller, Teneti, Vahaakolo tries; Davis 2 cons, Pouri-Lane con) Japan: 5 (Hanako Tsutsumi try)
Black Ferns Sevens: 29 (Waaka, Teneti, Miller 2, Pouri-Lane tries; Davis 2 cons) Australia: 14 (Heidi Dennis 2 tries; Tia Hinds 2 cons)
All Blacks Sevens make it a double for New Zealand
In front of a record crowd at the Dubai Sevens, the All Blacks Sevens defeated Australia for the second time over the weekend, claiming the title for the eighth time and their first since 2018. After failing to secure a SVNS cup event last year, their pre-season victories against Samoa, Fiji, and Australia, coupled with their first SVNS tournament win since May 2024 in Singapore, suggest that brighter days are ahead.
New Zealand quickly established a 21-0 lead in their group match against Australia. In the final, Australia opened the scoring after a New Zealand mishap from the kick-off gave them possession. Wallace Charlie broke through, and veteran Maurice Longbottom finished.
New Zealand responded with two tries. Following a patient buildup, the ball came loose from a messy ruck, and Dylan Collier was quick to react, scoring a try. Sofai Notoa-Tipo converted to give New Zealand a 7-5 lead. Moments later, he made a decisive run before setting up Akuila Rokolisoa, extending the lead to 12-5. Rokolisoa’s return brought much-needed experience and verve.
Australia fought back, but, as with their women’s team against the Black Ferns Sevens, they lacked polish. A handling error was seized upon by Sione Molia, who increased New Zealand’s lead to 19-5. Quick tries from William Cartwright and Harry Wilson narrowed the gap to 19-15, at which point Australia looked to be in control.
However, Jayden Keelan, who had limited opportunities last year, enjoyed his biggest moment in black. A superb weaving run, stretched New Zealand’s lead to a 26-15.
Southland’s Fletcher Morgan joined Bay of Plenty's Kele Lasaqa and Canterbury’s Riley Williams in making their All Blacks Sevens debut. Lasaqa’s tackle on Ben Dalton to win the pool match against Australia might become the stuff of legend.
It was a remarkable start to the season. League champions Argentina and Grand Final winners South Africa were historically poor. The Pumas suffered a humiliating defeat, losing 59-7 to France and conceding a half-century for only the fifth time in their history. Eliminated from cup contention, Argentina was later beaten by Great Britain in a playoff for seventh place, 24-19.
South Africa has won the Dubai Sevens more than any other country, with 11 triumphs. Between 2016 and 2023, the Blitzboks had a record of 40 wins and only one loss in the desert. However, in 2025, they fell short of that pedigree, finishing fifth after losing pool games to Fiji and Argentina.
The men’s sevens competition has never been so competitive, but according to coach Tomasi Cama, New Zealand has had a reset during the offseason, and so far, so good.
All Blacks Sevens Results
All Blacks Sevens: 21 (Rokolisoa, Notoa-Tipo 2 tries; Rokolisoa 3 cons) Great Britain: 14 (Luca Bardelli, Brent Jackson tries; Tom Burton 2 cons)
All Black Sevens: 24 (Vaenuku 2, Rush, Notoa-Tipo tries; Rokolisoa 2 cons) Spain: 7 (Eduardo Lopez try; Francisco Cosculluela con)
All Blacks Sevens: 21 (Rush, Rokolisoa, Maka tries; Rokolisoa 2 cons, Maka con) Australia: 17 (Henry Hutchinson, Dietrich Roache, Ben Dalton tries; Roache con)
All Blacks Sevens: 24 (Rokolisoa, Rush 2, Collier tries; Rokolisoa 2 cons) Fiji: 21 (Viwa Nadivalo 3 tries; Waisea Nacuqu, George Nose, Terio Veliawa cons)
All Blacks Sevens: 26 (Collier, Rokolisoa, Molia, Keelan, Notoa-Tipo 2 cons, Williams con) Australia: 22 (Maurice Longbottom, William Cartwright, Harry Wilson 2 tries; James McGregor con)
