New Zealand’s captain, Sarah Hirini, expressed her overwhelming joy after steering her team to a decisive 31-7 victory against Australia in the Los Angeles Sevens final on Monday (AEST). This victory secured the Black Ferns the world championship title, complementing their Olympic gold medal from Paris and confirming their status as the 2024-25 SVNS series champions.
Jorja Miller earned the Player of the Final accolade for her exceptional performance, while the Kiwis effectively neutralised Australia’s star player, Maddison Levi. Australia sorely missed the experienced Charlotte Caslick, leading to emotional scenes as veteran Faith Nathan, just 25, teared up at the final whistle. Hirini, whose excitement was palpable, celebrated the victory as a form of redemption after New Zealand’s previous loss to Australia in Madrid.
After the match, an elated Hirini stated, "Man, that feels good – I’m so, so happy," as the traditional song Poi E played in the background. She emphasised the significance of winning both the league and series titles, saying, "Of course, I was absolutely ecstatic about it. Thank you so much for your support of women’s rugby."
The Kiwis commenced the match with a 12-0 lead at halftime, courtesy of tries from Miller and Michaela Brake. The Australians retaliated early in the second half with a try from Mackenzie Davis, but New Zealand quickly regained control, adding further tries from Risi Pouri-Lane and Mahina Paul to establish a commanding 19-point lead. Hirini capped off the match with a final try in the closing minute.
Australia’s coach Tim Walsh reflected on the season, acknowledging the team’s growth despite the disappointing final result. He noted, "We created cherished memories and secured memorable wins, particularly the victory in Perth." Looking ahead, Walsh expressed optimism for the next season, saying, "Our team is maturing, and we’re eager for the 2025-2026 season."
In the men’s final, South Africa triumphed over Spain 19-5, securing the championship title. Spain stunned league champions Argentina in the semi-finals but could not replicate that success against South Africa. The Springboks’ robust defence was pivotal, as Selwyn Davids scored a remarkable try after breaking multiple tackles and running more than 80 metres. Despite a strong effort from Spain, which saw Pol Pla bring them within two points, South Africa finished strongly, adding two more tries to seal their victory. South African captain Siviwi Soyizwapi concluded that the win was a well-deserved achievement for the team.