The revamped Black Ferns Sevens have fallen just short of victory in the opening tournament of the world series season at Dubai — edged 28-24 by archrivals Australia in the final.
The NZ women were immediately on the backfoot, conceding the opening two tries to the Aussies, before responding through rising star Jorja Miller, who broke the line and slipped a tackle on her way to the tryline.
The Kiwis had another before halftime, when Australia botched the kickoff and Risi Pouri-Lane accepted an offload from Jazmin Felix-Hotham — but the defending champions scored again to lead 21-12 at halftime.
Tries to Theresa Setefano and Manaia Nuku after the break put New Zealand ahead 24-21, but Maddison Levi scored the matchwinner with less than three minutes remaining. In doing so, Levi set a new series record for tries in a single tournament with 15.
The Ferns desperately chased victory, but the Australians forced a crucial ruck turnover and soaked up the final seconds with a slowly forming scrum.
Without several veterans that had guided them to consecutive Olympic golds, New Zealand have had to promote previously fringe players into more prominent roles this season, but seem well placed to build on their legacy.
They accounted for Ireland 33-12 in the quarterfinals and France 28-14 in the semis.
Spaniards put All Blacks to the sword
Meanwhile, the All Blacks Sevens saw their title hopes dashed 19-14 in the semifinals by upstarts Spain, who had already toppled the Kiwis in pool play.
The NZ men led early through a try from Oli Mathis but a response from the Spanish left the teams level 7-7 at halftime. Spain scored twice after the break to establish a margin, with a last-ditch try to captain Dylan Collier leaving the Kiwis short of victory.
The All Blacks then lost their third-place playoff 14-0 to last season's series winners Argentina, as Spain bowed to Fiji in their first-ever final appearance, after having to overcome promotion-relegation to stay in the top flight.
The series moves on to Cape Town next weekend.
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