Miller’s brilliance not enough in Dubai
No wonder New Zealand Rugby recently signed sevens wizard Jorja Miller to a record-breaking contract.
Less than a month after signing the longest NZR contract (four years) by a woman, the 19-year-old from Timaru showed exactly why she’s so highly touted during the Dubai Sevens.
Miller’s brilliance – she bagged a hattrick in the final – wasn’t quite enough to power the Black Ferns to victory in the series opening event, but the victorious Australians won’t need to be told to watch their backs the rest of the way.
The pick of Miller’s tries in the decider featured her torching the Aussies from beyond halfway, utilising her speed and a powerful fend to tie the decider at 7-7 early in the first half.
Miller’s third try of the match tied the game at 19-19 at the death. However, on the back of their own guns – sisters Maddison and Teagan Levi – Australia went on to win the match 26-19 and snap the Black Ferns Sevens’ world-record 41-match winning streak.
New Zealand wouldn’t have even been in this year’s gold medal match had it not been for Miller’s magic in the semifinal against Canada.
Down 19-14 inside the final two minutes, Miller received the ball on the half, before stepping and weaving her way past a host of defenders to shoot her side into the decider.
Born and raised in South Canterbury, it’s clear the World rookie sevens player of the year has taken her game to another level to start the new year.
Miller missed last year’s Commonwealth Games due to a knee injury, but debuted at the World Cup in Cape Town shortly afterwards, before featuring in all seven World Series tournaments through the 2022-23 season.
Speaking of Cape Town, the Black Ferns now head to the South African city for the final tournament before action picks up in Perth at the end of January.
They’ll have to do it without captain Sarah Hirini, after she hurt a knee during pool play and didn’t feature again in Dubai.
While the exact recovery time isn’t yet clear, it’s been confirmed she has been replaced by Tysha Ikenasio for the second tournament of the season.
Fresh from beating Fiji 12-7 in the bronze medal match, the All Blacks Sevens have also lost a player for the Cape Town series.
Regan Ware was concussed during the pool stage in Dubai and has been replaced by Xavier Tito-Harris.
Pipped 21-19 by Argentina in their semifinal, the Kiwi men finished with a medal after Fehi Fineanganofo scored a last-ditch try against the Fijians. South Africa beat Argentina 12-7 in the final.