Blackout in the Desert: All Blacks Sevens Go Unbeaten to Top Pool in Dubai Thriller
Dubai, UAE – The All Blacks Sevens have launched their new HSBC SVNS World Series campaign in emphatic style, emerging as the sole unbeaten men’s team after a gripping Day One in Dubai. Their dominant pool performance, highlighted by a dramatic, last-second defensive stand, marks a strong statement of intent after a lacklustre previous season.
Meanwhile, the reigning series champion Black Ferns Sevens also topped their pool despite suffering a stunning, drought-breaking loss to the United States, confirming a strong New Zealand presence in Sunday’s semi-finals.
🏃 All Blacks Sevens: Three Wins From Three
Following a disappointing seventh-place finish overall in the last World Series campaign, the New Zealand men’s team appears rejuvenated under the guidance of new coaching staff. They demonstrated a potent mix of clinical attack and desperate defence to secure three straight victories in Pool B:
- vs. Great Britain: 21-14 (Win)
- vs. Australia: 21-17 (Win)
- vs. Spain: 24-7 (Win)
The Last-Gasp Heroics Against Australia
The defining moment of the day came in the crucial showdown against fierce rivals Australia. Having raced out to a commanding 21-0 lead, the All Blacks Sevens looked set for a comfortable win. However, a spirited second-half fightback saw Australia cut the deficit dramatically, piling on 17 unanswered points.
With the clock in the red and Australia pressing for the match-winning try, replacement player Kele Lasaqa delivered a monumental, try-saving tackle on Australian forward Ben Dalton right on the try line. The play went to the Television Match Official (TMO), whose review confirmed Lasaqa had successfully held the ball up, preserving the narrow 21-17 victory and securing the top seed in the pool.
The tension was evident even among the players. “I actually didn’t watch the last bit of that game,” teammate Rob Rush admitted to the host broadcaster post-game. “I actually had my head down. I was just saying, ‘I trust the boys, I trust the boys’. I should have said, ‘I trust the TMO, I trust the TMO’. It was good that the boys could finish real hearty like that. It was mean.”
The All Blacks Sevens will now face Pool A runners-up Fiji in the semi-finals, setting up a tantalizing clash between two of Sevens rugby’s most iconic teams. The other men’s semi-final will see Pool A winners France take on Australia.
🖤 Black Ferns Sevens: Pool Toppers Despite Upset
The defending women’s series champions, the Black Ferns Sevens, showcased their quality with two commanding victories but stumbled in a pool game for a rare defeat.
They began their defence with a gritty 24-21 win over France and followed it up by dismantling Fiji 31-12. However, they were stunned in a pivotal clash against the United States, losing 21-17 after a late lapse in concentration.
The loss was particularly notable as it was the first victory by the Americans over New Zealand in 15 matches, breaking a long-standing drought. The Black Ferns Sevens had led 17-7 before the US mounted a decisive second-half comeback.
Despite the hiccup, their superior points differential was enough to secure the top spot in Pool A. They now head into the semi-finals to face surprise packets Japan, who clinched their spot with a dramatic late victory over Canada.
The other women’s semi-final will feature the formidable Australian Women’s Sevens team, who were the only women’s team to go unbeaten and are chasing a sixth successive Dubai title, against Fiji.
Key Semi-Final Matchups (Sunday):
| Tournament | Semi-Final 1 | Semi-Final 2 |
| Men’s | New Zealand vs. Fiji | France vs. Australia |
| Women’s | New Zealand vs. Japan | Australia vs. Fiji |
The impressive start by both New Zealand sides provides a major boost of confidence for the opening tournament, with the Black Ferns aiming to reassert their dominance and the All Blacks Sevens determined to prove their substandard last season was merely an aberration.
