SVNS standout Kelsey Teneti re-signs with New Zealand Sevens

New Zealand Sevens have made a significant re-signing announcement ahead of the new-look World Championship Series, with in-form HSBC SVNS Series standout Kelsey Teneti inking a new deal until 2028.

Teneti is ranked second on the RugbyPass Women’s SVNS Series leaderboard after six events, collecting two Player of the Final awards as the Black Ferns Sevens completed a dominant regular season in the first division.

The 22-year-old, who has also represented New Zealand in the 15s arena, scored two tries as the Black Ferns Sevens made history at Perth’s HBF Park earlier this year. It was the first time in three attempts the New Zealanders had won SVNS Perth, beating Australia 29-7 in the decider.

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New Zealand replicated those heroics at the final two stops of the regular season, winning titles at Vancouver’s BC Place and New York’s Sports Illustrated Stadium. Teneti was named the Player of the Final at SVNS New York, again scoring two tries in a thriller against the Aussies.

Maddison Levi ran in two tries, and Teagan Levi scored another as Australia raced out to a strong 12-point lead during the second half. But Teneti helped the Black Ferns Sevens fight their way back, with Katelyn Vahaakolo diving over for the match-leveller inside the final minute.

The Black Ferns Sevens won five of six SVNS 1 titles during the 2025/26 campaign, with Australia claiming silverware in Cape Town last December. New Zealand were crowned the regular season champions, with Teneti and Jorja Miller leading the way.

“That’s the biggest thing is being consistent,” Black Ferns Sevens captain Risi Pouri-Lane said post-game on the broadcast.

“Every team is getting better, I think that’s the beauty of having the top eight teams at the moment is there’s no easy game. Every game is treated like a final.

“To have the consistency over the past five months has been huge for us, but the job’s not done yet.”

Teneti has been named in the Black Ferns Sevens squad for the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens on April 17 to 19. New Zealand are chasing a four-peat of titles at the fan favourite event, which will be played at the state-of-the-art Kai Tak Sports Park.

Following a dominant regular season, the New Zealanders have been drawn in Pool A with Fiji, Japan and SVNS 2 qualifiers Brazil. Valladolid and Bordeaux will host the other two stops to determine the SVNS Series World Championship winners.

Black Ferns Sevens travelling squad for Hong Kong Sevens

1. Manaia Nuku

2. Jorja Miller (VC)

3. Stacey Waaka

4. Mahina Paul

7. Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (C)

11. Maia Davis

12. Alena Saili

15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee

23. Jaymie Kolose

82. Olive Watherston

88. Kelsey Teneti

95. Katelyn Vahaakolo