USA stun Black Ferns Sevens with drought-breaking upset in Dubai

The USA have snapped a 14-game losing streak against the Black Ferns Sevens, defeating the reigning HSBC SVNS Series World Championship winners 21-17 in Dubai – an incredibly early contender for upset of the season.

Sarah Levy was one of the standouts for the USA during their second-half fightback, before SVNS debutant Erica Coulibaly raced away from the match-winner. There were some tense moments in the final play of the contest, but the New Zealanders couldn’t break through for a try.

New Zealand started their 2025/26 season with a clinical 24-21 victory against France, while the USA lost to Fiji 19-7. With a new competition format sending the top two teams from each pool straight to the semi-finals, it was all to play for in this second-round clash.

Kelsey Teneti came close to scoring early, but the New Zealander lost possession while running down the left touchline. Teneti would end up scoring the opening try of the match anyway, crossing for a five-pointer in the fifth minute.

Su Adegoke hit back for the USA just before the break, as an upset began to brew with a 7-5 half-time lead, but the Black Ferns Sevens didn’t seem panicked. They looked composed in attack, with Teneti completing a double before captain Risi Pouri-Lane extended their lead further.

It was 17-7 in favour of New Zealand with less than four minutes to play, as the USA looked to fight their way back into a winnable position. Levy was prolific during the second term, which included a decisive try in the 11^th minute.

With less than 50 seconds left, Coulibaly got the ball in space, running away for her first-ever try on the SVNS Series – and what a time to do it. The shot clock elapsed on the restart though, which gave the Black Ferns Sevens one last chance at a comeback.

2025 Rugby World Cup star Braxton Sorensen-McGee attempted to throw a pass from right to left, but the ball hit the deck. Referee Jess Ling awarded a knock-on advantage in the USA’s favour, but they kicked the ball into the stands anyway.

“It means so much to our team, to show that we stuck true to our process and that we’re here to see our process through and it delivered,” match-winner Coulibaly said on the broadcast.

“I’m finding a lot of women that inspire me to be better and do better each and every day. I just came in over the past month and they’ve been so welcoming and I’ve learned so much and they’ve helped me through this and made this team another home.

“It’s been amazing.”

In other results earlier on day one at the Dubai Sevens, Australia started their quest for a sixth consecutive Dubai Sevens title with a convincing 31-7 win over Japan. Maddison Levi was among the try-scorers as one of the circuit’s powerhouse sides started their season in style.