All Blacks Sevens break nine-year Dubai drought
Despite suffering a yellow card and four of their 13 players being out due to injury in the Dubai Sevens final, New Zealand beat the odds to win the opening tournament of the season.
New Zealand top the World Series standings on 22 points after beating the United States 21-5 in yesterday’s final.
Going into the decider, the US had the advantage, with the Kiwi side having played a heavy defensive semifinal against England and their injured list including Scott Curry, Akuila Rokolisoa, Sam Dickson and Regan Ware.
But those left in the black jersey showed heart, efficiency and power to break a nine-year drought in Dubai, winning in front of a 50,000-strong crowd with tries from Tone Ng Shiu, Dylan Collier and Ngarohi McGarveyBlack.
The men’s victory made it a double win for New Zealand in Dubai, after the women’s side took out their tournament the day before.
It was the Black Ferns Sevens side’s fifth tournament triumph in a row, with a winning run now stretching to 30 games.
Ng Shiu powering through American tackles for the final’s first try, successfully converted by the accurate Andrew Knewstubb. New Zealand led 7-0 at halftime.
Down to six players due to a yellow card for Luke Masirewa for a high tackle in the second half, the US took the opportunity to get their first points, with Stephen Tomasin scoring their first and only try of the game. The score sat at 7-5 with just four minutes to go.
However, a knock-on by the US allowed New Zealand to take control, with Collier out-pacing his opposition to score another try for New Zealand.
Down 14-5, the US briefly had eight players on the pitch, giving a penalty to New Zealand on halfway and allowing another opportunity to close out the match.
That opportunity was taken by McGarvey-Black, who secured the final try of the final, sealing a 21-5 win for New Zealand — their first tournament success in Dubai since 2009.
The All Blacks Sevens’ successful start to their World Series adds to an already excellent 2018, coming after Commonwealth Games gold and World Cup glory.
Knewstubb was named both Player of the Final and Tournament.
Finals day for the All Blacks Sevens started well, with the squad only allowing Scotland to score once in the final minutes of their Cup quarterfinal that ended with a 21-7 victory for the Kiwis.
It was followed by New Zealand’s undoubtedly tough semifinal against England, edging it 7-5 with both giving everything in defence.
On day one, the All Blacks Sevens were undefeated in their three pool play matches, beating Wales 28-7, Spain 28-17 and the US 24-7 to top Group C.
The New Zealand men’s sevens side now have a few days before their second tournament of the World Series in Cape Town. The World Series is a qualification pathway to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, and to confirm a place, teams have to finish in the top four.