International rugby sevens made an exciting return at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai, where the Australian women’s team and the Fijian men’s team emerged victorious, making significant strides in the HSBC SVNS standings.
Fiji clinched the men’s title by defeating Spain 19-5, marking their first tournament victory in the SVNS since Toulouse in 2022 and their first in Dubai in seven years. Argentina secured the bronze medal in the men’s competition with a strong 14-0 win over New Zealand.
The Australian women’s team celebrated a remarkable fifth consecutive tournament win in Dubai, overcoming Olympic champions New Zealand in a thrilling final that ended with a score of 28-24. France took home the bronze medal after defeating Great Britain 15-12.
Fiji’s men showcased their formidable talent, revitalizing their performance with an impressive 43-21 victory over Argentina in the semi-finals. They also edged past the reigning Olympic champions France in a closely fought quarter-final match, winning 19-17. Coach Osea Kolinisau expressed his delight at breaking the long title drought, stating, “It’s been a long time coming.”
Spain’s remarkable run included reaching their first-ever cup final with a significant 19-14 semi-final win over New Zealand, following another quarter-final win against Great Britain.
On the women’s side, Australia secured their spot in the finals with commanding victories, triumphing over Great Britain 35-7 in the semis and shutting out Olympic silver medallists Canada 39-0 in the quarter-finals. New team captain Isabella Nasser expressed her pride in the team’s performance and highlighted the potential for future success.
The weekend was filled with memorable moments including the introduction of talented new players, with 91 debutants joining the teams. Among the standout performances, Australia’s Maddison Levi, who was named HSBC World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, set a new record for the most tries scored in a single SVNS tournament, finding the end zone 15 times. Ireland’s Aimee Leigh Murphy Crowe celebrated her impressive 200th SVNS Series try, while fellow Australian Faith Nathan reached the remarkable milestone of 100 tries.
As the teams prepare for the next round in Cape Town on December 7-8, they will face a new competition format with 12 teams divided into four pools, with the winners progressing directly to the semi-finals. The excitement continues to grow as the world of rugby sevens showcases its vibrant talent and competitive spirit.
Looking ahead, with significant participation and several record-breaking performances, the future of rugby sevens remains bright and full of potential as teams gear up for the next event in Cape Town.
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