Source: Radio New Zealand
All Blacks Sevens player Brady Rush. Photosport
New Zealand has swept the Dubai round of the Sevens World Series with the Black Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens beating Australia in their respective finals.
The Black Ferns Sevens thumped their arch-rivals 29-14 before the All Blacks Sevens held on the beat a fast finishing Australian side 26-22 in the men’s title match.
It’s the All Black Sevens first title since Singapore in 2024. They failed to win a single title last season, with the win in Dubai ending their title drought.
The Black Ferns Sevens gained some revenge over Australia after losing to them in last season’s Dubai final.
It’s the New Zealand women’s first Dubai title since 2019.
Jorja Miller. Photosport
Jorja Miller bagged a brace of tries to be named player of the women’s final and she said it was nice to get one back over Australia.
“It means everything. Dubai is probably the favourite stop of the series, so to get the win here over a really strong Australian side, I’m so proud of the girls,” Miller said.
“We knew that if we let them get an inch that they would take it, so we just knew we had to come out there and play our game and start strong and let the rest follow.”
Brady Rush made a superb try saving tackle just before halftime to stop Australia scoring in the men’s final to be named player of the match.
He said it was nice to win put an end to their title struggles.
“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.”
Brady Rush. Photosport/Iain McGregor
Captain Ng Shiu believes they can keep getting better.
“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.”
The next round of the World Series is in Cape Town this weekend.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
