Australia and New Zealand qualify for both finals at Dubai Sevens

There will be two Trans-Tasman rivals to start the 2025/26 HSBC SVNS Series in Dubai, with New Zealand and Australia qualifying for both the women’s and men’s deciders.

Will Cartwright was the hero on debut for Australia, scoring a double as they defeated France 14-0 in a tense semi-final. New Zealand beat traditional rivals Fiji 24-21 in the other Cup eliminator, with Jayden Keelan and Brady Rush combining for the match-winning score.

Australia booked their place in the final four with two wins from three matches in Pool B, with their sole defeat coming against New Zealand. Debutant Kela Lasaqa saved the All Blacks Sevens with a desperate try-saving tackle in the final play of the match.

After beating Spain and Great Britain on day one, the Australians looked to keep their promising start to the season going against an in-form French side. France won two matches on day one as well, including a record-breaking 59-7 triumph over SVNS Series powerhouse Argentina.

In the 2024/25 season, Australia won 60 per cent of their meetings with France, but they have a fairly new-look squad in Dubai. Henry Paterson is one of three big-name players out injured, but the return of Dietrich Roache was a significant boost for the Aussies on day one.

It was a tense, error-riddled start to the match, as both teams failed to make their mark on the scoreboard. With the scoreboard reading nil-all, Maurice Longbottom looked to break the game open with an individual effort late in the half, but the playmaker couldn’t reel in a kick ahead.

William Cartwright broke the deadlock with a runaway effort midway through the second term, which was the debutant’s first try on the SVNS Series. Cartwright added the extras to give Australia a hard-earned 7-0 lead with less than four minutes left.

Australia booked their place in the Cup Final courtesy of Cartwright, who raced through a big gap in France’s defence to score his second. Roache converted the try – with Australia Sevens a chance at completing a golden double in Dubai, after the women’s side qualified for their final.

“Unbelievable, I couldn’t really believe it when I crossed the line,” Cartwright reflected post-game on the broadcast.

“It’s awesome, it’s a dream… the boys are unreal. They’re so easy to work with, taught me everything.

“Not sure, whatever the boys say. Haven’t been in one yet” he added when asked how to prepare for a final.

Referee Nick Hogan blew his whistle for full-time, and moments later, it was time for the next chapter in one of the most storied rivalries in sevens. New Zealand’s Tone Ng Shiu and Fiji’s Jeremaia Matana led their teams out onto the field at The Sevens Stadium.

Viwa Naduvalo opened the scoring about two minutes into the contest, running a superb line in-field as the All Blacks Sevens’ defensive line scrambled. Waisea Nacuqu converted the try, giving last season’s Dubai champions an early 7-0 lead.

Frank Vaenuku broke upfield less than 90 seconds after, but the No. 75 didn’t quite have the pace, instead passing the ball to Akuila Rokolisoa. Rokolisoa brought the two teams level with the conversion from right in front.

The All Blacks Sevens took the lead just before the break, with Rokolisoa drawing in a couple of defenders, and throwing a superb one-handed offload to Brady Rush. With the successful conversion, the New Zealanders had quickly turned a seven-point deficit into a lead.

All Blacks Sevens vice-captain Dylan Collier added to the team’s lead with a try just inside the left sideline early in the second term, before the Fijians struck back through Naduvalo about two minutes later.

19-14 in favour of New Zealand, with less than four minutes to play.

Naduvalo completed a hat-trick shortly after to level the scores. Terio Veilawa stepped up and converted the try, which gave Fiji the lead with about 90 seconds to play.

Jayden Keelan won the match for New Zealand with an unbelievable offload, with Rush reaping the rewards to complete a double. Ilikimi Vunaki was shown a red card after a high shot on Keelan in the lead-up to that match-defining try.