New Zealand's latest 21-year-old Sevens star on the rise after 10 tries in two weeks

The All Blacks Sevens completed a men’s final victory over the Blitzboks in Sydney with a resounding 38-0 win, claiming the Sydney leg for a fifth time in tournament history.

The gold medal finish went one further than last week’s Hamilton series where the All Blacks Sevens were trumped 14-12 in the final by Argentina and was the first series win over the 2023 circuit.

A breakout star of both tournaments has been 21-year-old Roderick Solo who has scored 10 tries over the two series showing blistering speed and bamboozling footwork on the edge.

After debuting in 2022, Solo is fast becoming a key threat for the All Blacks Sevens after showing his game-breaking ability in the last two finals.

In Sydney despite nursing an ankle injury, Solo scored the first try in the final against South Africa with a sharp cutback that had a Blitzboks defender stumbling to the ground.

Roderick Solo dejó pintado al último defensor sudafricano y así abrió el camino a la gran goleada de Nueva Zelanda en la final de #Sydney7s. 💫#HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/NSl1lnYpCl

— World Rugby ES (@WorldRugby_ES) January 29, 2023

In the Cup quarter-final in a hard fought 12-0 win over Samoa it was Solo’s speed that opened the scoring with searing pace down the right sideline.

Roderick Solo turns on the pace! ⚡️@nz_sevens advance to the semi-finals 💪#Sydney7s | #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/cSRXUzdMTB

— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) January 28, 2023

In Hamilton his impressive break against Argentina in the Hamilton final set up the All Blacks Sevens’ first try, a length of the field effort which saw Solo step his way past multiple defenders before linking with star Akuila Rokolisoa.

Solo grabbed the second as the All Blacks Sevens gave him a one-on-one match-up down the right hand touchline.

Argentina fought back from 12-0 down to take the lead 14-12 but it was Solo again who nearly helped New Zealand win on the last play of the game.

His grubber kick in field was jumped on by Brady Rush in the in-goal but a knock-on during the put down prevented the All Blacks from taking gold.

Safe to say, @nz_sevens brought their dancing shoes to this final!

Roderick Solo and Akuila Rokolisoa take a bow!#NZ7s | #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/9Xhfivl6RR

— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) January 22, 2023

Solo is just one of many young talents breaking through on the Sevens scene for New Zealand including Black Ferns Jorja Millar, who is still just 18, and Jazmin Felix-Hotham while Payton Spencer made his debut over the Sydney series.

Congrats to the Black Ferns 7s & All Blacks 7s! What a great weekend of sevens with both our @nz_sevens teams winning in Sydney!
Awesome young talent coming through, particularly Jorja Miller, Jazmin Hotham, Roderick Solo & Payton Spencer. Esp Miller & Solo have been revelations!

— C_NZ_ (@C_NZ_) January 29, 2023

Roderick Solo 🔥🔥🔥

— Tino Junior Poluleuligaga (@JIP2EZY) January 22, 2023

Too Good NZ7s. Payton Spencer doesn't look out of his depth!! Roderick Solo continues to be a stud!! #HSBCWorld7sSeries

— Hollice Palelei (@HollicePalelei) January 29, 2023

Roderick Solo is a machine 🔥🔥🔥

— Buzz (@ManqinaEskova) January 29, 2023

At #Sydney7s , If the All Blacks are looking for their next superstar winger then Roderick Solo is him, what a player🇳🇿

— AdamStr (@ajstr17) January 27, 2023

New Zealand claimed the double in the men’s and women’s in Sydney and both teams are the series leaders after five rounds in the men’s and four rounds in the women’s.