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<\/p>\nIt was a big weekend for Pacific sports fans, with history made on the Rugby Sevens field and surprise results in the A-League.<\/p>\n
The first leg of the HSBC SVNS series kicked off in Dubai, and the tournament delivered moments that will be remembered for a long time.<\/p>\n
The Japanese Sakura women made headlines after beating the Fijiana 22-12 to claim third place, their highest finish ever on the world stage.<\/p>\n
The four-try performance didn\u2019t just earn Japan their first-ever podium finish. It also shows how quickly the team are rising into the next sevens tournament in Cape Town, South Africa this weekend.<\/p>\n
Another unexpected moment came when the USA women ended their long 14-match losing streak by upsetting the New Zealand Black Ferns 21-17 in pool play.<\/p>\n
With less than a minute left and the USA trailing by three, Erica Coulibaly spotted the Black Ferns hesitating and printed nearly 30 metres to score the match-winning try.<\/p>\n
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Black Ferns player Risi Pouri-Lane running in to score against Australia. Photo\/Alex Ho\/World Rugby<\/p>\n
Despite the defeat, the Black Ferns improved their performance, progressing all the way to the final, where they ended Australia\u2019s five-year winning streak in Dubai.<\/p>\n
In a rather scrappy match, the Black Ferns dominated from the start, scoring the opening try within the first two minutes.<\/p>\n
Veteran Risi Pouri-Lane, of S\u0101moan descent, contributed to the scoreboard as she recovered from a loose ball to run in the Black Ferns\u2019 fourth try.<\/p>\n
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Tone Ng Shiu of New Zealand in action against Australia in the Men\u2019s Cup Final, Dubai. Photo\/Alex Ho\/World Rugby<\/p>\n
While they were unable to keep Australia scoreless, Heidi Dennis picked up both tries for her team in the 22-12 victory, which was well deserved.<\/p>\n
For the New Zealand men, it was a much-needed first-place finish after their disappointing seventh-place result last year. The game ended in a 26-22 victory against Australia, separated by successful conversions, as the tries were locked at four apiece.<\/p>\n
This marks the Kiwis\u2019 first tournament win on the HSBC tour since their success in Singapore back in May 2024.<\/p>\n
The Fiji men also delivered a valiant effort, finishing third by toppling France. The French team entered the match looking dominant after topping their pool with a nail-biting finish against Fiji. But the Fijians quickly corrected any earlier mistakes.<\/p>\n
The French scored first with Josselin Bouhier\u2019s opening try, but once Fiji found their rhythm, even the French could not stop the Pacific nation\u2019s trademark attacking flair.<\/p>\n
The first three tries came from Jeremaia Matana, Vuiviawa Naduvalo, and Terio Veilawa, allowing Fiji to take a 10-point lead. In the final three minutes of the match, dazzling footwork from Manueli Samoa sealed Fiji\u2019s win as he leapt over the try line, finishing the game at 24-7.<\/p>\n
Some teams are now preparing for the second leg in Cape Town from 6-7 December. For more information on fixtures and results click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n There were major upsets from both New Zealand teams competing in the A-League competition.<\/p>\n For Auckland FC, it was a disappointing performance at home as they fell to an 11th-place Newcastle Jets, losing 2-1.<\/p>\n Playing at a wet Go Media Stadium, the home side created plenty of scoring chances, but defensive lapses proved costly. The defeat marked Auckland\u2019s first loss of the season.<\/p>\n In brighter news, the Wellington Phoenix produced a 2-1 upset victory over Adelaide United in Australia. Captain Alex Rufer opened the scoring in the 12th minute, guiding the ball into the net from a corner-kick scramble.<\/p>\n Lachlan Brook of Auckland FC and Clayton Taylor of the Newcastle Jets. Photo\/Andrew Cornaga\/Photosport <\/p>\n United winger Yaya Dukuly came close to levelling the score, but the next major moment came when a penalty in the 51st minute allowed Ramy Najjarine to double the Phoenix lead.<\/p>\n United finally broke through to score in the 73rd minute with debutant Joey Garucio, who won a one-on-one battle with goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi to score his first goal at just 19 years old.<\/p>\n It will be a face-off between both New Zealand teams as Auckland FC host Wellington Phoenix this Saturday at 5pm (NZT). For more information on fixtures and results, click here.<\/a><\/p>\n For women’s football, the final for round one of the OFC women\u2019s qualification is set. After American S\u0101moa made history by beating Tonga<\/a>, they will play Tahiti tomorrow for a chance to advance to round two. Kick off 11am (NZT).<\/p>\n Meanwhile for Rugby League fans, Storm and Tongan Rugby League second-rower Eliesa Katoa uploaded a recent Instagram post sharing the progress of his injury.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/54b91fa8ee1090521dc89c1f78abf67af8cd2e60-4500x3000.jpg\")
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