‘The hurt is real’: Black Ferns Sevens stars reflect on SVNS heartbreak

Black Ferns Sevens captain Risi Pouri-Lane says “the hurt is real” after the team’s heartbreaking 26-19 defeat to Australia in Bordeaux, which saw them fall short of the 2026 HSBC SVNS World Championship crown.

Kelsey Teneti and Mahina Paul are among the other Black Ferns Sevens players who have penned meaningful messages on social media in the week since the season finale, which ended with back-to-back tournaments in Europe.

New Zealand were a dominant force throughout the regular season, taking out five of the six titles ahead of the new-look World Championship. The Black Ferns Sevens carried that form into the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, securing an unprecedented four-peat.

But after falling to Australia in the SVNS Valladolid semi-finals, the New Zealanders finished third in the second-to-last stop of the season. That saw them sit second on the overall standings heading into Bordeaux, with the Aussies in control of their own destiny.

Australia and New Zealand met in the Bordeaux Cup Final, which was effectively a winner-takes-all contest. If the Black Ferns Sevens had won, they would’ve claimed the World Championship on match points differential, but two Maddison Levi tries steered the Aussies towards victory.

“We fell short of the goal,” Pouri-Lane wrote. “But we did not fall apart. 6/9 tournaments.

“Not every season ends the way you hoped, but every season leaves something behind. This one left us more connected, more certain of who we are and stronger in our understanding of what it means to stand the line.

“Because standing the line isn’t something we do when things are going our way. It’s the choice to stay connected when they aren’t.

“The hurt is real. But so is the hunger.

“The line remains.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (Risi) (@risaleaana.pourilane)

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kelsey Teneti (@kelseyteneti)

ADVERTISEMENT

You could genuinely feel the tension and anticipation at Stade Atlantique as the Black Ferns Sevens and Australia sung their national anthems. There had been eight events ahead of the stop in Bordeaux, but the circuit’s top prize would come down to a 14-minute battle.

Heidi Dennis broke the deadlock with a runaway effort in the fourth minute, before Manaia Nuku hit back with an effort soon after. But Australia still took a lead into the break, with co-captain Isabella Nasser sending Maddison Levi over for a final play try.

Katelyn Vahaakolo reduced the deficit with some crucial Black Ferns Sevens points during the second term, but the Aussies hit back immediately through Faith Nathan. Levi then iced the season-defining result with her second.

Australia were crowned world champions. But as Black Ferns Sevens players highlighted on social media last week, they still have plenty to be proud of after a remarkable season which saw them win six of nine tournaments.

“People often ask if the sisterhood is really what it looks like,” Teneti wrote. “The truth is, it’s more.

“It’s a legacy passed down through every mana wahine who came before us. It’s being part of something bigger than yourself. It’s knowing that no matter the result, you never stand alone.

“We fell short of the ending we wanted this season, but this team has never been defined by a single tournament. 6 wins from 9 this season is something to be proud of, but the people, memories, and sisterhood we’ve built along the way mean so much more!

“Grateful to always represent.”

Paul said: “Can only look back, smile and be proud.”