NSW has claimed the Next Gen Sevens competition in a remarkable final round of action in Byron Bay.
In a tournament where both teams won their respective rounds on a points difference countback, it was fitting the final game turned into a winners-takes-all decider.
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NSW stepped up with the title on the line, claiming a 21-12 comeback victory to win the overall competition.
Queensland came out firing to take a 12-0 lead inside the first five tries thanks to Olympian Kahli Henwood.
However, a yellow card to Wallaroo Carys Dallinger flipped the momentum as tries to Ella Carlisle and Kiiahla Duff gave NSW the lead.
The Queenslanders fought for a response but Milla Elaro sealed the win for the hosts in the final minute.
The day began with a 7-all draw in a low-scoring battle where defence dominated the occasion.
It took a loose pass from Queensland to deliver the first points as Duff snatched the intercept and ran 40 metres to touch down under the posts.
The visitors responded after the break through standout strike weapon Amahli Hala on the wing, levelling the scores 7-all and still 4-all on the overall scoreboard as neither side could find the decisive try.
Queensland and Hala maintained this momentum into the second game as her double gave them a 19-12 victory.
Hala scored to start both halves and whilst NSW’s bug guns Ruby Nicholas and Waiaria Ellis made their mark, Reds winger Caitlin Urwin’s five-pointer with 90 seconds to go ensured the 19-12 victory.
The desperation ramped up for NSW as they threw everything into the third game.
Nicholas and Mackenzie Davis gave the hosts a 14-0 before Hala led the comeback. The 18-year-old set up Rhani Hagan on half-time, with Sophie Duff levelling the scores with a long-range effort.
Ella Carlisle’s try from the kickoff restored their lead, only for Hala to step two defenders and sprint 75 metres for a crucial try that looked to have secured another draw and Queensland the advantage heading into the final.
However, the conversion from right in front sliced away to give NSW the 21-19 win and the chance to close out the series with victory in the final game.
