‘She’s a bit of a freak’: 20-year-old leads New Zealand to Cape Town title

Black Ferns Sevens captain Sarah Hirini has described Jorja Miller as “a bit of a freak” after the 20-year-old’s Player of the Final performance in Cape Town. Miller led the way for the New Zealanders as they came from behind to beat the USA 26-12 at DHL Stadium on Sunday.

With New Zealand down by 12 points after only a few minutes of play, Miller helped turn the tide by scoring the team’s first try of the Women’s Cup Final, which inspired the fightback. The World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year nominee almost had another later on but couldn’t reel in an offload.

But that knock-on from a Kelsey Teneti pass wasn’t a big talking point with the women in black creating enough separation on the scoreboard in the end. They raced away for a relatively comfortable win, which capped off a memorable weekend for the team in the Western Cape.

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Following their second-place finish at the season-opening event in Dubai, the New Zealanders didn’t have to wait long for a chance to go one better. But they would have to do it in an unusual way, with the SVNS Series introducing a new competition format for the event.

New Zealand qualified for the final four as the top-ranked side in their pool after recording wins over China and Japan, and they went on to annihilate France 43-nil. With Australia suffering a shock loss in their semi-final, the Kiwis took on the USA in the battle for silverware.

Miller was recognised as the Player of the Final but it was a team effort that lifted the Black Ferns Sevens towards Cape Town title glory. With New Zealand winning their first Cup Final on the Series since Singapore last season, Hirini was visibly upbeat about the achievement.

“I’m so happy. We’re pretty disappointed with last weekend but far out, I’m absolutely stoked here. We’re going home with some goodies for Christmas and can’t wait to share it with the rest of the group,” Hirini said on RugbyPass TV’s post-game broadcast.

“Look at all the All Blacks jerseys, Black Ferns Sevens jerseys hanging in the stadium. We love Cape Town, we love South Africa, and they always turn up for us.

“I love being with the team and we have a good time off the field. But yeah, it’s bloody awesome to be able to take home a win, and obviously old mate getting the Payer of the Final, she’s a bit of a freak.”

Nia Toliver had been the heroine for the USA in their semi-final upset win over Australia, and the American carried that form into the big dance by scoring the opener inside the first minute. Alyssa Porter also crossed for a try as the USA took a shock 12-nil lead after three minutes.

But the Black Ferns Sevens didn’t panic, with Miller showcasing that with a trademark level of composure, skill and poise. The no. 2 scored New Zealand’s first in the sixth minute, and a try to Olympic gold medallist Jazmin Felix-Hotham shortly after saw them take the lead into the break.

Teneti and Dys Faleafaga added a try each during the second term as the Black Ferns Sevens cruised towards a clinical title triumph. Miller stood out in New Zealand’s last Cup Final triumph on the Series in Singapore earlier this year, so performances like this aren’t anything new.

“I just love my job, I love my team, and I love just playing rugby,” Miller exclaimed with a smile.

“It was a bit of a grind at the start but we knew if we had the ball, we could be pretty powerful, so once we got that we were away.

“The old girls keep us honest, they bring all the experience but man, we have an exciting group and the next four years is going to be epic.

“Sevens is a pretty fast game so we knew it could change at any moment.”