Watch: All Blacks Sevens ace scores stunning double in NPC nail-biter

All Blacks Sevens flyer Xavier Tito-Harris showcased soccer skills and elite game awareness on the rugby field to score a scintillating double for Auckland in the National Provincial Championship opener for the 2025 season.

Auckland gave it everything against a star-studded Waikato outfit at Eden Park on Thursday, but the hosts couldn’t quite hold on as two former All Blacks orchestrated a memorable 36-35 win on the road for the Mooloos.

Rui Farrant crossed in the 75^th minute to make it a six-point game, before Lima Sopoaga created something special from nothing, linking up with former HSBC SVNS Series ace Tepaea Cook-Savage with a one-two play before scoring a thrilling last-gasp effort.

Cameron Dawson on scrummaging

Cameron Dawson on scrummaging

Aaron Cruden stepped up and added the two points, with Waikato stealing a one-point win away from home to start the fresh campaign. Sopoaga’s try is already a viral highlight on social media, but it wasn’t the only spectacular clip from an all-time classic NPC clash.

Auckland captain Anton Segner opened the scoring early on before Tito-Harris made something difficult look almost easy, with the left winger kicking the ball ahead a couple of times during a long-range break up the field.

Waikato were hot on attack before Tito-Harris managed to block an attempted kick from Xavier Roe, with the deflection turning the visitors around in a desperate scramble. Tito-Harris got boot to ball at the halfway line, before kicking it again just inside the 22.

 

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The ball sat up inside the in-goal, with the All Blacks Sevens representative diving on it to score a popular five-pointer early in the opening-round blockbuster. Another SVNS Series star, Cody Vai, was the first to Tito-Harris as the try-scoring celebrations began.

“The ball’s ricochet away and now they’re in a bit of trouble at the back here Waikato,” Sky Sport commentator Tony Johnson said on the broadcast.

“Auckland swooping through on it. Here’s a chance for the opening try for one of the backs of the Auckland teams.

“Xavier Tito-Harris it is who scores.”

Waikato scored 12 unanswered points from there, with SVNS Series 2024/25 rookie Oli Mathis putting in a well-worked grubber kick for Bailyn Sullivan. The match’s momentum has swung the visitors’ way before Rico Simpson converted a penalty goal for Auckland in the 30^th minute.

Tito-Harris was next to score a try, completing a double after picking off a pass from 2011 Rugby World Cup winner Cruden. The winger juggled the ball slightly before racing more than 60 metres to the house for a 44th-minute try.

TiTWO-Harris ✌️@AucklandRugby extend their lead after the break.

📲 Watch LIVE on @skysportnz pic.twitter.com/KNrxBekEpl

— Bunnings NPC (@BunningsNPC) July 31, 2025

“It’s Xavier Tito-Harris, and he’ll have the speed to go all the way,” Johnson exclaimed.

“Well he’s a great opportunist. This is his second try of the match and it’s an excellent start to the second half for Auckland.”

Auckland’s Payton Spencer was next to score, before Mathis and Cook-Savage crossed for the visitors – all either current or former All Blacks Sevens representatives. Cook-Savage’s try made it an eight-point game with just over 10 minutes to play.

That’s when Sopoaga and Cruden stepped up with match-winning plays, but Tito-Harris remains a player to watch this season, and so too are the other SVNS Series players like Mathis and Cook-Savage who impressed for Waikato.