The return of international rugby sevens at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai brought excitement to large crowds as the Australia women’s team and the Fiji men’s team emerged victorious, taking an early lead in the HSBC SVNS standings.
Fiji triumphed over Spain with a score of 19-5, marking their first tournament victory in the SVNS since Toulouse in 2022, and their first win in Dubai since 2016. Argentina secured the men’s bronze medal with a solid 14-0 victory against New Zealand.
On the women’s side, Australia achieved an impressive fifth consecutive tournament win in Dubai, overcoming the Olympic champions New Zealand in a thrilling final that finished 28-24. France captured the bronze medal by narrowly defeating Great Britain 15-12.
Fiji displayed an electrifying performance, dominating Argentina 43-21 in the semi-finals after a tightly contested 19-17 win over the reigning Olympic champions, France, in the quarter-finals. Coach Osea Kolinisau expressed his relief and happiness at finally breaking their title drought, stating, “It’s been a long time coming.”
Spain made history by reaching their first cup final thanks to an impressive 19-14 victory over New Zealand in the semi-finals, following an earlier quarter-final win over Great Britain by the same score.
In the women’s competition, Australia secured their spot in the final with commanding wins, defeating Great Britain 35-7 in the semi-finals and shutting out Canada 39-0 in the quarter-finals. New Zealand advanced to the final by beating France 28-14 and Ireland 33-12.
The tournament, which followed a groundbreaking Olympic Games in Paris that attracted over 530,000 fans, kicked off the new season of SVNS with two days filled with thrilling matches and lively entertainment.
The event showcased fresh talent, with 91 debutant players featured across the men’s and women’s squads. Australia’s Maddison Levi notably set a record, scoring 15 tries in a single SVNS tournament. Additionally, Ireland’s Aimee Leigh Murphy Crowe celebrated her 200th SVNS Series try, while Australia’s Faith Nathan marked her 100th try.
All 24 participating teams are set to move on to Cape Town for the next round of HSBC SVNS 2025, scheduled for December 7-8. The new competition format introduces four pools of three teams, with the winners advancing directly to the semi-finals.
The anticipation continues as the teams prepare for their upcoming matches in Cape Town, showcasing the growing popularity and competitive spirit of rugby sevens globally.
This remarkable tournament not only highlights the intense competition but also celebrates the sport’s new talents and significant milestones. With a strong start to the season, fans can look forward to even more thrilling rugby action in the months ahead.
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