New Zealand’s pursuit of a double victory at the Vancouver Sevens is well underway, with both the Black Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens securing their spots in the finals after overcoming significant challenges in the semi-finals on Sunday.
Despite facing setbacks earlier in the 2023/24 season, such as the end of the Black Ferns Sevens’ 41-game unbeaten run and disappointing exits in Dubai, Cape Town, and Perth, both teams displayed resilience and improvement in Vancouver.
The Black Ferns Sevens demonstrated a remarkable turnaround in form during their Vancouver campaign, boasting a +101 points differential after three pool play matches. They convincingly defeated Spain 36-0 in the quarter-final and silenced the home crowd with a win against hosts Canada on Day Three. Jorja Miller expressed the team’s satisfaction with the tournament, emphasizing the positive impact of younger players stepping up in the absence of experienced ones.
In the Cup final, New Zealand’s Black Ferns Sevens will face France, who caused a semi-final upset by defeating Australia. Despite France having previously bested the Kiwis in the Cape Town semi-finals, Miller highlighted the team’s determination to secure a victory at BC Place Stadium and revitalize their Sevens Series campaign leading up to the Olympics.
The New Zealand men’s side also faced challenges this season, including a pool-stage exit in SVNS Perth. However, they rebounded impressively in Vancouver, defeating Fiji and France on their way to the Cup final. Cody Vai expressed the team’s goal of a comeback season, emphasizing the importance of learning from past mistakes and the return of key players.
Facing a confident France side, the All Blacks Sevens started strongly, with Vai scoring early points in the 2nd minute. Akuila Rokolisoa and veteran Scott Curry contributed to a substantial lead, showcasing the team’s determination. The All Blacks Sevens will now face SVNS Series leaders Argentina in the final game at SVNS Vancouver, aiming to cap off their comeback season with a victory.
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