Miller influential as Black Ferns Sevens storm home after trailing Japan

HSBC SVNS Series leaders the Black Ferns Sevens have stormed home to beat Japan 34-12 at Perth’s HBF Park. Jorja Miller and Risi Pouri-Lane played key roles in the comeback after the New Zealanders fell behind on the scoreboard during the second half.

New Zealand claimed top spot on the Women’s SVNS Series standings by taking out the SVNS Singapore Cup Final with a 36-7 win over Australia on Sunday. They were also crowned Dubai Sevens champions in December and made the decider at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium.

Jorja Miller was named the Player of the Final after last weekend’s clinical performance at the National Stadium in Singapore. The Black Ferns Sevens then turned their focus to SVNS Perth, looking to go one better this time after falling short in the Cup Final about 12 months ago.

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The USA claimed an impressive 34-15 win over Fiji, before New Zealand and Japan ran out onto the field at HBF Park. New Zealand had never lost to Japan in women’s sevens, and while that record still stands, it was far from easy for the SVNS Series juggernauts.

Katelyn Vaahaakolo ran in for the opening try of the match in the second minute, but Japan hit back almost immediately through Natsuki Ouchida. Ouchida beat a tackle attempt from Vahaakolo with a powerful fend before crossing for the try near the right sideline.

Jazmin Felix-Hotham helped the Black Ferns Sevens regain the lead with a runaway effort deep in the half, taking a 10-5 advantage into the break. While some may have expected New Zealand to power ahead during the second term, instead, Japan continued to challenge for an upset.

Marin Kajiki scored in the 10^th minute, which gave Japan a two-point lead with less than five minutes remaining. Individual brilliance from Miller has been a regular sight on the Series in recent seasons, and the 21-year-old stepped up when it counted yet again.

Miller had the ball inside New Zealand’s half, but the RugbyPass SVNS Series MVP front-runner sliced through tackle attempts during a long run upfield. Pouri-Lane put the Black Ferns Sevens in a commanding position shortly after, with the skipper touching down for her first try of the event.

Kelsey Teneti added another five-points to New Zealand’s lead before Braxton Sorensen-McGee capped off the performance with a somersault finish in the 15^th minute. While the scoreboard reads 34-12, this match was much closer than what the 22-point margin suggests.

Breanne Nicholas became the all-time leader in tournament appearances when Canada faced France in the next match under the Perth sun, going one clear of 2016 Rio Olympian Bianca Farella, who played in 63 events.

France took control during the first half with Lili Dezou and Alycia Christiaens making their mark with a try each, before Krissy Scurfield struck back for Canada just before the half-time huddle.

Olivia Apps played an instrumental role in Canada’s second try, with Nicholas getting on the score sheet. It was 12-all after Apps’ conversion, but the French regained the lead with three minutes left.

Christiaens flew down the right sideline to give France their advantage back, with Marie Dupouy adding the extras with an impressive conversion. Anaick Konyi sealed a 24-12 win with one last try inside the final minute.

In the other women’s match during the first session, Australia started their title defence with a 54-5 win over Great Britain. Katie Shillaker gave GB an early lead with a try in the first minute, but it was all the home side from there, with Mackenzie Davis and Faith Nathan the first to score.

Heidi Dennis, who was named the Player of the Final at last season’s event in Perth, flew down the right sideline to extend Australia’s lead further before the break. But the Aussies weren’t done there, with Sariah Paki racing away for her first try of the season.

Australia co-captain Isabella Nasser was first to strike in the second term, and Dennis completed a hat-trick. Maddison Levi finished the match with a try in the final play – her 24th five-pointer on the SVNS Series already this season.