New Zealand Dominates Australia in Dubai Sevens Finals
Australia’s hopes for a strong start to the World Rugby Sevens Series were dashed in Dubai this past weekend, as both the men’s and women’s teams suffered heartbreaking defeats to longtime rivals New Zealand in the tournament finals.The results mark a significant shift in trans-Tasman dominance in the sport.
Australia’s women, historically known as the “queens of the desert” for their unparalleled success at the Dubai Sevens, experienced their first loss after five consecutive triumphs and a remarkable 32-straight match winning streak. New Zealand’s current strength in the sport. The Black Ferns had previously won four of their finals against Australia in the previous year’s series, and their dominance continued in Dubai.
women’s Final: black Ferns Eclipse Australian Stars
New Zealand’s women’s team showcased their prowess with a commanding performance, led by jorja Miller, who scored two tries and was named player of the final. Miller’s performance overshadowed that of Australian star Maddison Levi, who had been in remarkable form throughout the weekend, scoring seven tries leading up to the final, including a brace in the 31-10 semi-final victory over Fiji. Levi struggled to find space against the tenacious Black Ferns defense.
The Black Ferns established a commanding 17-0 lead by halftime, fueled by tries from Stacey Waaka, Kelsey Teneti, and Risi Pouri-Lane, in addition to Miller’s two scores. Despite second-half tries from Heidi Dennis, Australia could not close the gap.
Men’s Final: Injury and Controversy Mark Close Contest
The Australian men’s team, having earlier defeated France 14-0 in the semi-finals with two tries from newcomer Will Cartwright, started strongly against the Kiwis, with Maurice Longbottom scoring the opening try. However, Longbottom sustained an injury while scoring and was forced to leave the field, shifting the momentum in New Zealand’s favor. The Kiwis took a 12-7 lead into halftime thanks to tries from Dylan Collier and Akuila Rokolisoa.
The match was punctuated by a crucial try-saving tackle by New Zealand’s player-of-the-match, Brady Rush, on Aden Ekanayake. A controversial moment occurred when the referee, George Selwood, stopped play while the Australians were mounting an attack, reviewing a potential foul that ultimately yielded no penalty. Sione Molia then capitalized on a steal, running 50 meters to extend New Zealand’s lead to 19-5.
Despite the setback, the Australians fought back with tries from Harry Wilson (two) and Cartwright, narrowing the final margin to just four points.
Looking Ahead: A Promising Future for Australia
Despite the disappointing results,Australian captain Henry Hutchison remained optimistic about the team’s future. “Obviously we’re super disappointed with the result but very proud of the efforts throughout the week,” he said. “I thought the boys showed great perseverance, grit and courage in the final.”
Hutchison highlighted the team’s youth and potential for growth, noting that three players were making their debut and most of the squad had fewer than 10 caps. “To have three boys debut and most of the guys have under 10 caps, to show the growth over the weekend and continually improve holds great signs for the future.There’s a lot of hunger in this team to be the best in the world and that is our goal.”
The Dubai Sevens results signal a new chapter in the rivalry between Australia and New Zealand, with the kiwis currently holding the upper hand.
