New Zealand has completed the sweep in the sands at Dubai after beating Australia 26-22.
The last time the New Zealand Men's and Women's teams both won at the same tournament was at the Singapore 7s in 2024.
While the Australian side dominated in clean breaks, passes, offloads and carries the men in black ran in four tries to Dylan Collier, Akuila Rokolisoa, Sione Molia, and Jayden Keelan to the three by Maurice Longbottom, William Cartwright and Harry Wilson.
New Zealand led 12-5 at the break.
Maurice Longbottom dived over for the opening try for Australia but it came at a cost, with the veteran playmaker forced off the field due to injury.
New Zealand hit straight back when a fortuitous bounce landed in Dylan Collier’s lap for the response, extending their lead shortly afterwards via Tone Ng Shiu.
Aden Ekanayake was bundled into touch right before half-time, before a massive moment in the game saw an Australian break blown up to check high contact, ending a clear scoring opportunity.
The play was cleared, with the Aussies unable to press their claims for the levelling try on account of it happening after the half-time siren.
When the match resumed for the second half, Sione Molia capitalised on an Australian mistake for a 19-5 advantage.
Will Cartwright sparked the Aussie comeback with a nice step and dive for the corner as Harry Wilson scored straight afterwards from the kick-off to reduce the lead to four.
However, it was all in vain as Kiwi young gun Jayden Keelan sprinted away for the sealer.
Wilson scored his second after the siren to reduce the margin, but it was all New Zealand in the UAE, making it two from two to start the season.
[Source: rugby.com.au]
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