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‘Bit of unfinished business’: Black Ferns Sevens look ahead to Australia quarter
By Finn Morton
As both the New Zealand and Australia women’s sevens sides lined up to sing their national anthems before last month’s Dubai SVNS final, you could feel the tension. There was a palpable sense of anticipation ahead of the next instalment of this great SVNS rivalry.
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The Black Ferns Sevens had pipped their arch-rivals time and time again during a famous run to World Series glory in 2022/23, but a new season presented new opportunities for an improved Australian outfit.
In the end, a late try to Maddison Levi was the difference. Australia burst into a state of euphoric celebration while their opponents were left to wonder what could’ve been. It was also the end of the Black Ferns Sevens’ stunning 41-game unbeaten run.
New Zealand haven’t had a chance to claim some revenge. There’s “unfinished business” there for the Kiwis, but they’ll get their opportunity to get one back on Australia’s west coast.
Following Australia’s shock loss to Great Britain on Friday – with Teagan Levi receiving a red card – the hosts will face New Zealand later on day one for a spot in the semis.
“It’s awesome. The game of sevens can go any way, any game,” New Zealander Risialeaana ‘Risi’ Pouri-Lane told RugbyPass.
“It’s awesome that the game is just continuously growing, especially this women’s game.
“Last night was awesome for GB and to shake up the competition like that, I think we might have Aussie in our quarter-final. We want big games, we want good games so I’m looking forward to the challenge.
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“I’m not gonna lie about that, it’s always a good Trans-Tasman rivalry and for us there’s a bit of unfinished business to be done.”
New Zealand haven’t quite hit their stride this season. After falling to Australia in the Dubai final, the women in black were beaten by France in the Cape Town semi-finals a week later.
But that feels like a long time ago now. New Zealand have let their rugby do the talking with wins over Japan, Ireland and the United States of America. These wins haven’t been overly convincing at times, but they’re wins nonetheless.
It leaves the Black Ferns Sevens exactly where they want to be before the knockout rounds.
“Three from three and I think from that last game we probably felt more in a state of flow,” Pouri-Lane said.
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“Playing a bit more to what we’re capable of but we know whatever happens, finals are a different ball play so we’ve just got to take it another step this afternoon.”
Walking off the field and down the tunnel, every player looked exhausted. It’s 32 degrees in Perth at the moment – and has been rising all morning.
“To be honest it’s actually not as bad as I thought it was going to be. It’s hot at home, back in Mount Maunganui,” she added.
Untouchable ✨
Waaka blazes down the touchline to score @nz_sevens third try#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSPER pic.twitter.com/ILxYhET4IL
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) January 27, 2024
“To be here, we’ve got a cool breeze and I’m glad it’s not as hot as I thought it was going to be.
“I thought it was going to be dry heat but it’s not too bad.”
The Black Ferns Sevens take on Australia at 4.15 pm local time on Saturday afternoon at Perth’s HBF Park.