Black Ferns Sevens Claim Historic Perth Title with Dominant Win

The New Zealand women’s rugby team, known as the Black Ferns Sevens, marked a significant achievement by winning their first title at the Perth Sevens on March 17, 2024. They decisively defeated arch-rivals Australia with a score of 29-7 in the final, showcasing their dominance with four tries against Australia’s single score.

This victory is the third title for the Black Ferns Sevens this season, following a convincing 36-7 win over Australia in Singapore just a week prior. Their performance in Perth was a remarkable turnaround from previous years, having finished fifth in 2023 and as runners-up in 2022.

Captain Risi Pouri-Lane expressed pride in her team’s resilience, particularly after facing challenges in past tournaments. “We’ve been here three years now and we’ve had some heartbreaks over those years. For the girls to come out – and in back to back tournaments – and show the consistency and connection within the group… I’m really proud,” she stated during an interview with Sky Sport.

The match started unfavorably for New Zealand as they trailed 7-0 early on. However, the momentum shifted when Pouri-Lane capitalized on a brilliant break from teammate Jorja Miller. Following strong defensive efforts, speedster Kelsey Teneti scored two pivotal tries just before and after halftime, effectively sealing the victory. Katelyn Vahaakolo added a final try late in the game, further solidifying their triumph.

The Black Ferns Sevens displayed an impressive run throughout the tournament, easily advancing from the group stage with victories over Japan (34-12), Fiji (36-5), and the United States (31-0). In the semifinals, they continued their dominant form, defeating France with a score of 34-14, highlighted by two tries each from Miller and Vahaakolo.

In contrast, the New Zealand men’s team faced a disappointing exit in their semifinal against Fiji, who overwhelmed them with a 35-0 victory. The match was marred for New Zealand when Akuila Rokolisoa received a red card due to a dangerous tackle. The men’s team ultimately finished fourth after a narrow 12-10 loss to Australia in the third-place playoff, where they were undone by a late converted try.

Despite the men’s team struggles, the Black Ferns Sevens continue to reinforce their place as one of the top teams in women’s rugby globally, celebrating their triumph in Perth as a testament to their hard work and dedication.