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‘Bit of unfinished business’: Black Ferns Sevens look ahead to Australia quarter
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.
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW’s bro’town commentary and lazy default to hyperbole should be ignored, a technical analyst he is not. Sotutu is a good player when games get goosey loosey, high skill set that fans of Zinzan recall with starry eyes. But you need power and mongrel at no8 in the Test arena and Sotutu gets found wanting there, much like Akira Ioane. No8’s like Zinzan and Ardie have bucketloads of mongrel and power and tenacity which allow the skill sets to flourish.
11 Go to commentsAn inside pass to attacker on the angle can make a drift defence look lead footed. Relies on fleet footed forward/s to get across from the breakdown. An argument for the smaller faster 7 perhaps?
3 Go to commentsSensational tackle. The reds one was late and rightly penalised. The other two were simultaneous with the pass. If nitpicking TMOs can’t find fault there clearly isn’t any.
1 Go to commentsBrumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
5 Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
5 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
5 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
11 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
5 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
3 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to comments