Rugby fans, brace yourselves for a thrilling tale of triumph and controversy! New Zealand just pulled off a historic Dubai Sevens double, sweeping both the men's and women's finals against Australia in a showdown that left everyone on the edge of their seats. But here's where it gets controversial: was this a true display of dominance, or did luck play a bigger role than we think? Let’s dive in.
In a stunning turn of events, New Zealand’s men’s team clinched a nail-biting 26-22 victory, while their women’s team delivered a commanding 29-14 performance. This isn’t the first time New Zealand has achieved the double in the Sevens World Series—they did it most recently in Singapore in 2024—but here’s the twist: this is the first time in series history that the same two countries faced off in both finals at a single tournament. Talk about making history!
Now, let’s talk about the men’s final, which was nothing short of a rollercoaster. New Zealand, the most successful team in Sevens history, entered the tournament with more questions than answers. After finishing a historic low of seventh in last season’s full-schedule league and failing to reach any finals, they arrived in Dubai as underdogs. But they silenced the doubters, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament, including a thrilling 24-21 semifinal win over defending champions Fiji. And this is the part most people miss: their resilience was on full display, even when key moments seemed to favor Australia.
The final itself was a drama-filled affair. Australia’s star playmaker, Maurice Longbottom, scored the opening try but was injured in the process, forcing him to leave the field. New Zealand capitalized, scoring twice in a minute through Dylan Collier and Akuila Rokolisoa. Yet, they were fortunate to lead 12-7 at halftime. The second half was a masterclass in tension, with Brady Rush making a try-saving tackle and referee George Selwood controversially stopping play to review a non-existent foul. Was this call fair, or did it unfairly disrupt Australia’s momentum? Let us know in the comments!
Australia fought back fiercely, with tries from William Cartwright, Harry Wilson (twice), and Jayden Keelan narrowing the gap to just four points. But time ran out, and New Zealand’s three successful conversions compared to Australia’s one proved to be the difference. Did Australia lose, or did New Zealand’s precision win it for them?
On the women’s side, the rivalry between New Zealand and Australia continued its epic saga. The two teams met in five finals last season, with Australia dominating in Dubai since 2021, including victories over New Zealand in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 finals. But this time, New Zealand’s defensive pressure was relentless. Australia’s dropped passes gifted New Zealand early tries through Stacey Waaka and Kelsey Teneti, and Jorja Miller’s converted try gave them a 17-0 halftime lead. Another loose pass led to Risi Pouri-Lane’s try, extending the lead to 22-0. Australia’s Heidi Dennis scored twice, but New Zealand’s Katelyn Vaha'akolo sealed the deal with a game-changing tackle that led to Miller’s seventh try of the tournament. Interestingly, Australia’s Maddison Levi, who had been unstoppable, failed to score in the final.
As the series moves to Cape Town next weekend, one thing is clear: New Zealand’s dominance in Dubai has set the stage for an electrifying season. But the question remains: Can Australia bounce back, or will New Zealand continue to reign supreme? Share your thoughts below—we’d love to hear your take on this rugby showdown!
