‘Point to prove’: Black Ferns Sevens bounce back from SVNS heartbreak

Kelsey Teneti was the first Black Ferns Sevens player to disappear down the tunnel at Estadio José Zorilla to collect a SVNS Valladolid bronze medal. New Zealand have made winning a habit this season but an upset defeat to arch-rivals Australia saw them battle for third.

New Zealand suffered an agonising defeat to the Aussies two years ago at Madrid’s Civitas Metropolitano, the home of European football giants Atlético Madrid. Stacey Waaka spoke with RugbyPass about the quest for revenge upon the team’s return to Spain, but it wasn’t to be.

Mahina Paul raced away for the opener inside the first 30 seconds, before Waaka and Jorja Miller added to New Zealand’s lead during the first half. It was 21-7 at the break and later a12-point ballgame with just three minutes remaining.

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But Faith Nathan gave the Aussies a fighting chance with a crucial five-pointer and Kaitlan Shave flew downfield for the match-leveller soon after. Australia completed a famous comeback, while the New Zealanders braced for a third-place playoff against Canada.

Teneti finished with a five-try haul as the Black Ferns Sevens finished their campaign in Spain with a commanding 50-14 blitz. Risi Pouri-Lane, Danni Mafoe and Miller also got on the scoresheet, as the Black Ferns Sevens now turn their focus to the World Championship finale.

“I think it was built up anger from the last game. Unlucky [not to] be in the final but we knew we had a point to prove out there and just wanted to finish strong,” Teneti told RugbyPass in Valladolid.

“It’s always a tough game against Aussie. It can go both ways no matter what but I think sevens is just like that and win or lose, they were the better team for today so we just had to come out strong and make sure we finish strong.”

The Black Ferns Sevens led the World Championship standings ahead of SVNS Valladolid, having taken out the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens. It’s the fourth time in a row the New Zealanders have claimed silverware at the fan favourite event, now played at Kai Tak Sports Park.

New Zealand have otherwise been a dominant force throughout the SVNS Series, winning five of the six regular season stops. Australia piled on the points in a one-sided SVNS Cape Town final last December, which is the only blip in New Zealand’s title-winning season.

“There’s lots of learnings,” Teneti said.

“You can’t be perfect all the time so hopefully we can… take it out next week. But other than, pretty happy with that out there.”

The All Blacks Sevens finished their tournament in northwestern Spain on a winning note as well, silencing the home crowd in a 22-12 win over Spain. Jayden Keelan ‘shushed’ the crowd after scoring his second of the contest.

It’s all to play for at SVNS Bordeaux next weekend, which will determine the World Championship winners for the 2025/26 season. The top eight teams will earn core status for next season’s SVNS 1 campaign, while the other four will be left to fight their way back up from division 2.