New Zealand wins both finals against Australia to achieve Dubai Sevens double

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) New Zealand secured a remarkable double at the Dubai Sevens on Sunday, defeating Australia in both the mens and womens finals. The mens team narrowly edged out Australia 26-22, while the womens side dominated with a 29-14 win.

Although New Zealand has previously achieved a double in the World Sevens Series, most recently in Singapore in 2024, this tournament marked a first: both mens and womens finals featured the same two countries.

Mens Final: Tight Contest

The mens victory was unexpected. After finishing a historic low of seventh in last seasons full-schedule league and failing to reach any finals, New Zealand entered the Dubai opener with uncertainty. Yet the team went unbeaten, securing its first Dubai title since 2018, including a 24-21 semifinal win over defending champions Fiji.

In the final, Australia lost key playmaker Maurice Longbottom to injury after he scored the opening try. New Zealand quickly responded with two tries in one minute from Dylan Collier and Akuila Rokolisoa, assisted by Tone Ng Shiu, taking a 12-7 lead into halftime. Brady Rush then made a critical try-saving tackle on Aden Ekanayake, and a controversial review by referee George Selwood stopped a potential Australian score.

After halftime, Sione Molia intercepted the ball from Jayden Blake and ran 50 meters for a try, pushing New Zealand ahead 19-5. Australia fought back with tries from William Cartwright, Harry Wilson (twice), and Jayden Keelan, narrowing the gap to four points, but time ran out. New Zealands three successful conversions versus Australias single conversion proved decisive.

Womens Final: Dominant Performance

The womens final continued last seasons rivalry between New Zealand and Australia. The teams faced each other in five finals last year, with Australia winning in Dubai from 2021 through 2024. This time, New Zealands defensive intensity proved overwhelming.

Early mistakes from Australia allowed New Zealand to score two quick tries through Stacey Waaka and Kelsey Teneti in the first four minutes. Jorja Miller added a converted try to give the Kiwis a 17-0 halftime lead. Another Australian error allowed Risi Pouri-Lane to score, extending the lead to 22-0. Although Australias Heidi Dennis scored twice, New Zealand maintained control.

Katelyn Vaha'akolo forced a turnover from Mackenzie Davis, setting up Miller for her seventh tournament try, tying her with Australias Maddison Levi. Levi was kept scoreless for the first and only time in the tournament. New Zealands comprehensive performance secured a clear 29-14 victory.

The World Sevens Series will continue next weekend in Cape Town.

Analysis: A Historic Double for New Zealand at the Dubai Sevens

New Zealand's remarkable victory in both the men's and women's finals at the Dubai Sevens marks a historic achievement for the country. While they have previously managed to secure doubles in the World Sevens Series, this was the first time that both finals saw the same two teams—New Zealand and Australia—competing against each other. The results showcased a strong resurgence for New Zealand, particularly after a disappointing performance in the previous season.

In the men's final, New Zealand's victory was a significant turn of events. After finishing seventh in the league last season and failing to reach any finals, the team's resilience and determination in Dubai were clear. They not only triumphed over Australia in a tight 26-22 contest but also defeated defending champions Fiji in the semifinals. The absence of Australian key playmaker Maurice Longbottom due to injury, after his early try, certainly shifted the dynamics of the match. However, New Zealand's quick response and strategic plays, such as Sione Molia's 50-meter try, were decisive. Their ability to convert three tries compared to Australia’s single conversion made the difference in a game that was as much about tactical execution as it was about raw skill.

The women’s final was a different story, with New Zealand asserting dominance over Australia in a 29-14 win. This result followed the intense rivalry between the two nations that has defined the last several seasons of Sevens rugby. New Zealand’s defensive intensity and early attacking prowess put them in an unassailable position, leading 17-0 at halftime. Australia’s mistakes compounded their difficulties, while New Zealand capitalized on turnovers and maintained control throughout the game. Kelsey Teneti and Stacey Waaka played key roles in the Kiwis’ dominant performance, which eventually left Australia no room to recover. The game was a testament to New Zealand’s tactical depth and well-executed game plan.

Overall, New Zealand's successful double at the Dubai Sevens serves as a strong signal of their return to form in the World Sevens Series. With the next tournament in Cape Town just around the corner, both the men's and women's teams will look to build on this success and continue their strong momentum. For Australia, the loss in both finals highlights areas for improvement, especially in maintaining composure during critical moments of the game. The rivalry between these two nations is set to continue, with the World Sevens Series offering plenty of drama ahead.

Sources:

• New Zealand achieves Dubai Sevens double with wins over Australia in both finals