Black Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens open season with titles in Dubai

Jorja Miller of New Zealand scores a try in the Cup semi-final against Japan in Dubai. Photo / Getty Images

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The Black Ferns Sevens and the All Blacks Sevens have opened the season in style with titles at the Dubai Sevens.

The Black Ferns Sevens defeated Australia 29-14 in the final followed by the men’s team also beating Australia, winning 26-22.

The Black Ferns Sevens eased by
Japan 31-5 in the semi-finals with Mahina Paul crossing over for a double. In the final, they went out to a 17-0 lead at the break when Stacey Waaka, Kelsey Teneti and Jorja Miller all scored in the first half. That was extended with Risi Pouri-Lane diving over shortly after halftime to make it 22-0 before a Jazmin Felix-Hotham yellow card opened the door for Australia.

A Heidi Dennis try made it 22-7 but any hopes of a comeback were quashed when Miller ran in again with a minute to play.

The men’s final was a much closer affair with Australia taking the early lead before tries to Dylan Collier and Akuila Rokolisoa saw New Zealand take a 12-5 advantage into halftime. A Sione Molia try early in the second half extended the lead before Australia hit back through William Cartwright and Harry Wilson, not to be mistaken for his namesake, Wallabies captain Harry Wilson, to make it 19-15 with a few minutes to play.