Jorja Miller scored the Black Ferns Sevens' first try in the final against Australia. Photo: Photosport / Jayne Russell
The Black Ferns Sevens have suffered a narrow loss to Australia in the final of the women's Dubai Sevens, while the All Blacks Sevens men's team have lost their playoff for third place.
New Zealand were down 21-12 at the halftime break in the women's final, with Jorja Miller and Risi Pouri-Lane scoring tries, but a brilliant comeback featuring tries from Theresa Setefano and Manaia Nuku saw them holding a three point lead with two minutes go.
However, their attempt to seal the victory went awry with Maddison Levi snatching an intercept for Australia and racing some 80 metres to put Australia back in front.
The Black Ferns Sevens threw everything in the dying minutes but conceded a late breakdown penalty and Australia started celebrating as they booted the ball into touch.
The New Zealanders had beaten Ireland 33-12 in the quarter-finals and France 28-14 in the semi-finals.
Fiji won the men's final, proving too strong for Spain 19-5.
It was the Spaniards who knocked the All Blacks Sevens out of the final, with a 19-14 victory in the semis, after earlier beating them in pool play.
The New Zealanders were then outplayed by Argentina 14-0 in the play-off for third, leaving them fourth on the standings after the opening round of the series.
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