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Watch: All Blacks Sevens star makes history in India’s Rugby Premier League
By Finn Morton
All Blacks Sevens flyer Akuila Rokolisoa made history in India, scoring the first-ever try in the revolutionary Rugby Premier League – the world’s first franchise-based sevens competition, with a number of HSBC SVNS Series stars taking part.
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Rokolisoa is considered one of the most exciting athletes on the SVNS Series, with World Rugby recognising the All Blacks Sevens ace as one of four nominees for Player of the Year after the 2022/23 season, along with teammate Leroy Carter.
While Rokolisoa missed most of the 2024/25 season because of injury, the playmaker was back in black for the World Championship in Los Angeles, and now the inaugural RPL with a star-studded Bengaluru Bravehearts side.
New Zealand’s Tone Ng Shiu and Spain captain Pol Pla feature in the Bravehearts’ side as well, with All Blacks Sevens great Scott Curry and some Indian players also involved. Fiji playmaker Iowane Teba also finished the match on the field, having come on in the sixth minute.
Bengaluru took on Delhi Redz in the opener, a team headlined by Los Pumas Sevens duo Matteo Graziano and Matis Osadczuk. Kenya’s Patrick Odongo Okongo Jordan Conroy from Ireland also looked to make their mark in an equally talented Redz side.
Rokolisoa got the first-ever RPL match underway with the kick-off before making history only a minute later. Pla found Uganda’s Philip Wokorach, who delivered a perfect offload to Rokolisoa – beating one tackle attempt before running in for the score.
“And there’s the first try, the man on the inside gets it. Rokolisoa, the New Zealander. Try time in the GMR RPL,” commentator Greg Clarke said on RugbyPass TV.
Rok sake toh Rok lo! 🚀
Akuila Rokolisoa was an unstoppable force for the Bengaluru Bravehearts in the opener of the inaugural #GMRRugbyPremierLeague ⚡#RugRugMeinRugby #RPL #BBvDR pic.twitter.com/dKuqzB2p5V
ADVERTISEMENT— Rugby Premier League (@RPLIndia) June 16, 2025
Odongo hit back for Delhi a few minutes later in the first quarter – RPL have adopted a new spin on the sevens format, with four-minute quarters instead of seven-minute halves – with Osadczuk converting the try to level the match at 7-all.
Rokolisoa completed a double early in the second quarter, before Wokorach also crossed for a decisive five-pointer. Bengaluru led 21-7 before Delhi mounted a comeback, with Osadczuk scoring before Okongo completed a double as well.
It was 21-all going into the fourth quarter, and neither side managed to score go-ahead points, settling for a dramatic draw in the inaugural match. On day one, Chennai Bulls beat Mumbai Dreamers 24-5 and Hyderabad Heroes defeated Kalinga Black Tigers 24-14.
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Rokolisoa’s Bravehearts recorded their first win of the competition on matchday two at Mumbai Football Arena, with the playmaker scoring one try in a 35-10 win over Maurice Longbottom’s Kalinga Black Tigers.
The Bravehearts have also suffered their first loss, going down 43-7 to Hyderabad Heroes on the third matchday. Fiji’s Joji Nasova – who has signed with the Fijian Drua from the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season – is one of the marquee players on that team.
RPL only lasts for two weeks, with the Bravehearts currently third on the standings with a 1-1-1 record. Chennai Bulls lead the way with a flawless 3-0-0 record, while Kalinga Black Tigers are last with two losses from as many starts.
