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Jorja Miller strikes after 15 seconds to start new SVNS season in style
By Finn Morton
It took just 15 seconds for Jorja Miller to make an impact on the HSBC SVNS Series in 2025/26, with the Black Ferns Sevens vice-captain returning to rugby’s quickest format in style – scoring the opening try of the new season in Dubai.
Miller was crowned the SVNS Series Women’s Player of the Year after the World Championship in Los Angeles earlier this year, before a successful stint in 15s with the Black Ferns, having been nominated for two prestigious World Rugby Awards.
After missing SVNS warm-up fixtures at Ignite7 in Tauranga, Miller took to the field at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai for the start of the new campaign. New Zealand won the League and World Championship last season, and started their title defence in style with a 24-21 win over France.
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Maia Davis kicked the new campaign off with a restart, with France fielding possession. Miller got over the ball at the breakdown and won a pilfer penalty, and then some quick thinking saw the Paris Olympics gold medallist complete a highlight play.
Referee Kat Roche awarded the penalty, with Miller resuming play with a quick tap almost immediately. Miller beat French players with sheer pace, running upfield to the house for the first try of the 2025/26 season.
Black Ferns Sevens captain Risi Pouri-Lane doubled the team’s advantage with another try about four minutes later, with Davis adding the extras. New Zealand held a strong lead but the French fought their way back with a decisive score.
Mariama Tandiang crossed for France’s sole try of the first half just before the break. The score read 12-7 in New Zealand’s favour at the break, but the defending SVNS Series champions extended their lead through Alena Saili in the ninth minute.
France made it a score game with less than two minutes remaining, with Alycia Christiaens placing the ball down for her first try of the season. That set the stage for a tense end to the match – or so it seemed.
Yet again, some more Miller brilliance was a defining moment.
Miller raced away for another try in the 13th minute, with 2025 Rugby World Cup star Braxton Sorensen-McGee adding the extras. 18-year-old Tandiang had the last try-scoring say with a runaway effort in the final play, but New Zealand had done enough.
The Black Ferns Sevens have been drawn in Pool A along with France, Fiji and the United States of America. In the other group, Australia start their quest for a sixth consecutive Dubai Sevens crown with matches against Japan, Canada and Great Britain.
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