All Blacks Sevens stars and Fiji legend Nacuqu shine in RPL thriller

HSBC SVNS Series greats Scott Curry and Waisea Nacuqu scored a try each in a Rugby Premier League thriller, with Bengaluru Bravehearts beating Mumbai Dreamers 12-7 – but current All Blacks Sevens ace Akuila Rokolisoa stole the show with a well-worked finish.

Rokolisoa has already captured headlines this season, scoring the first-ever try in RPL history as the Bravehearts were held to a 21-all draw with Delhi Redz last weekend. Bengaluru have also beaten Kalinga Black Tigers by 25-points and were defeated by Hyderabad Heroes 43-7.

After three matches in the revolutionary rugby sevens competition in India, the Bravehearts sat mid-table ahead of a match against last-placed Mumbai. The Dreamers were 0-3 to start the season, and would end up falling painfully short of a much-needed win.

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Curry, who has retired from All Blacks Sevens duty, captained a Bravehearts starting seven which included Rokolisoa and another New Zealadn sevens international Tone Ng Shiu. Fiji’s Iowane Teba and Spain captain Pol Pla looked to make a difference off the bench.

RPL has adopted a new format this season, with teams playing four-minute quarters instead of seven minute halves. It’s led to some dramatic results already, with games wrapping up in just 22 minutes including breaks.

Commentator Gerg Clarke highlighted Nacuqu as the key player for Mumbai early in this day five match, while three-time Olympian from Australia Henry Hutchison is another danger player for the Tim Walsh-coached side.

Mumbai defended for practically three-and-a-half minutes before Bengaluru scored the opener through Rokolisoa, with Curry getting the assist. Curry passed the ball onto his former New Zealand teammate, who still had plenty of work to do down the right side of the field.

With an impressive burst of pace, Rokolisoa charged for the corner, and incredibly the marquee player managed to stay in play. Referee Craig Chan went to the TMO, with replays showing Rokolisoa didn’t touch the sideline.

As reliable as a Rok! 🪨

Akuila Rokolisoa with the outstanding effort for the score. 🙌#RugRugMeinRugby #RPL #BBvMD #GMRRPL2025 pic.twitter.com/RpA6J7CdEx

— Rugby Premier League (@RPLIndia) June 19, 2025

Rokolisoa stepped up and nailed the drop-goal conversion attempt from out-wide, as Bengaluru went into the break after the first quarter with a 7-nil lead – at least that’s how it looked. There was still time for a restart, and the Dreamers made the most of the opportunity.

Nacuqu threw a dummy before racing more than 50 metres up the field for the score. The Paris Olympian stepped up to convert the try from in front, bringing a thrilling first quarter to a close with the teams still level.

It was another tense period that followed, with neither team scoring until Scott Curry dotted the ball down with 14 seconds left in the half. Pla had done well to draw defenders in, with five Mumbai players crowding the Spaniard after a run up-field, which created space out-wide.

With another eight minutes still to play in the second half, no more points ere scored. In the final play of the match, the Dreamers actually got themselves into a strong position inside the Bravehearts’ 22, but a knock-on brought their hopes of a comeback win to an end.

In the other match on day five, Fijian Joji Nasova scored a double as the Heroes ran away with a big 43-12 win over the Kalinga Black Tigers. SVNS Series legend Perry Baker scored one of two tries for the Black Tigers, who are second-last on the standings.