History made for HSBC 7s rugby as NZ teams produce surprising results in A-League

It was a big weekend for Pacific sports fans, with history made on the Rugby Sevens field and surprise results in the A-League.

The first leg of the HSBC SVNS series kicked off in Dubai, and the tournament delivered moments that will be remembered for a long time.

The Japanese Sakura women made headlines after beating the Fijiana 22-12 to claim third place, their highest finish ever on the world stage.

The four-try performance didn’t just earn Japan their first-ever podium finish. It also shows how quickly the team are rising into the next sevens tournament in Cape Town, South Africa this weekend.

Another unexpected moment came when the USA women ended their long 14-match losing streak by upsetting the New Zealand Black Ferns 21-17 in pool play.

With less than a minute left and the USA trailing by three, Erica Coulibaly spotted the Black Ferns hesitating and printed nearly 30 metres to score the match-winning try.

Black Ferns player Risi Pouri-Lane running in to score against Australia. Photo/Alex Ho/World Rugby

Despite the defeat, the Black Ferns improved their performance, progressing all the way to the final, where they ended Australia’s five-year winning streak in Dubai.

In a rather scrappy match, the Black Ferns dominated from the start, scoring the opening try within the first two minutes.

Veteran Risi Pouri-Lane, of Sāmoan descent, contributed to the scoreboard as she recovered from a loose ball to run in the Black Ferns’ fourth try.

Tone Ng Shiu of New Zealand in action against Australia in the Men’s Cup Final, Dubai. Photo/Alex Ho/World Rugby

While they were unable to keep Australia scoreless, Heidi Dennis picked up both tries for her team in the 22-12 victory, which was well deserved.

For the New Zealand men, it was a much-needed first-place finish after their disappointing seventh-place result last year. The game ended in a 26-22 victory against Australia, separated by successful conversions, as the tries were locked at four apiece.

This marks the Kiwis’ first tournament win on the HSBC tour since their success in Singapore back in May 2024.

The Fiji men also delivered a valiant effort, finishing third by toppling France. The French team entered the match looking dominant after topping their pool with a nail-biting finish against Fiji. But the Fijians quickly corrected any earlier mistakes.

The French scored first with Josselin Bouhier’s opening try, but once Fiji found their rhythm, even the French could not stop the Pacific nation’s trademark attacking flair.

The first three tries came from Jeremaia Matana, Vuiviawa Naduvalo, and Terio Veilawa, allowing Fiji to take a 10-point lead. In the final three minutes of the match, dazzling footwork from Manueli Samoa sealed Fiji’s win as he leapt over the try line, finishing the game at 24-7.

Some teams are now preparing for the second leg in Cape Town from 6-7 December. For more information on fixtures and results, click here.

There were major upsets from both New Zealand teams competing in the A-League competition.

For Auckland FC, it was a disappointing performance at home as they fell to an 11th-place Newcastle Jets, losing 2-1.

Playing at a wet Go Media Stadium, the home side created plenty of scoring chances, but defensive lapses proved costly. The defeat marked Auckland’s first loss of the season.

In brighter news, the Wellington Phoenix produced a 2-1 upset victory over Adelaide United in Australia. Captain Alex Rufer opened the scoring in the 12th minute, guiding the ball into the net from a corner-kick scramble.

United winger Yaya Dukuly came close to levelling the score, but the next major moment came when a penalty in the 51st minute allowed Ramy Najjarine to double the Phoenix lead.

Lachlan Brook of Auckland FC and Clayton Taylor of the Newcastle Jets. Photo/Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

United finally broke through to score in the 73rd minute with debutant Joey Garucio, who won a one-on-one battle with goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi to score his first goal at just 19 years old.

It will be a face-off between both New Zealand teams as Auckland FC host Wellington Phoenix this Saturday at 5pm (NZT). For more information on fixtures and results, click here.

For women's football, the final for round one of the OFC women’s qualification is set. After American Sāmoa made history by beating Tonga, they will play Tahiti tomorrow for a chance to advance to round two. Kick off 11am (NZT).

Meanwhile, Rugby League fans have received an update from Melbourne Storm and Tongan second-rower Eliesa Katoa, who recently shared a message on Instagram about his recovery from a serious injury.

The former NZ Warrior says he is now back home “and in a good place”, after the frightening incident that will rule him out of the entire 2026 NRL season.

The 25-year-old was injured during the warm-up before Tonga's Pacific Championships match against the Kiwis. Katoa collided with team-mate Lohi Hopoate's shoulders at the time. He later suffered two heavy head knocks during the game, which forced him from the field with the medical team.

Katoa used his online post to thank fans for their messages, prayers, and support throughout his recovery. He also acknowledged his Storm club and the Tongan rugby league community for standing by him.

“To the [Tongan rugby league] team, the team that we love, I wanna say a massive thank you. The quality time that we had in camp was unreal. Thank you, guys, for the help in camp! I love playing for our little kingdom.

“A special thank you to the [Storm] for all the help and the support that you guys are continuing to provide, I appreciate it," Katoa says on Instagram.

Katoa's recovery will be long, but he says he is focusing on his health and taking things step by step as he looks ahead to the future.