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Important update on 1476AMBlack Ferns steal New York Sevens title with dramatic comeback
Sport Nation • March 16th, 2026 10:47 am
Black Ferns Sevens | Photo: Photosport
The Black Ferns have staged a dramatic late comeback to steal the New York Sevens title on Monday (NZ time).
Facing a 21-5 deficit in the final against Australia with just a few minutes minutes to play, the freshly crowned champions ran in three tries before a conversion sealed a 22-21 victory.
The win was the fourth straight against Australia in a final and their fifth tournament triumph overall in the competition.
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Katelyn Vahaakolo provided the killer blow, rumbling over from close range with just seconds on the clock, leaving Risi Pouri-Lanes to slot the conversion from handy range and sink the dagger into the Aussies yet again.
Alena Saili and Kelsey Teneti were the other two late try-scorers.
"I think for us, even before the game started, we knew it was all going to be about heart," captain Pouri-Lane said.
"Final footy can go either way and we all know that. But to grind it out when the odds may not be in your favour is what counts."
Earlier in NYC, New Zealand clinched the 2026 World Series crown by winning all three of its group matches to take an unassailable lead over second-placed Australia.
Next up on the World Series schedule is the iconic Hong Kong Sevens on the weekend of April 17-19.
