All Blacks Sevens flyer Akuila Rokolisoa made historical past in India, scoring the first-ever attempt within the revolutionary Rugby Premier League – the world’s first franchise-based sevens competitors, with a variety of HSBC SVNS Collection stars participating.
Rokolisoa is taken into account some of the thrilling athletes on the SVNS Collection, with World Rugby recognising the All Blacks Sevens ace as one in every of 4 nominees for Participant of the Yr after the 2022/23 season, together with teammate Leroy Carter.
Whereas Rokolisoa missed a lot of the 2024/25 season due to damage, the playmaker was again in black for the World Championship in Los Angeles, and now the inaugural RPL with a star-studded Bengaluru Bravehearts aspect.
New Zealand’s Tone Ng Shiu and Spain captain Pol Pla characteristic within the Bravehearts’ aspect as effectively, with All Blacks Sevens nice Scott Curry and a few Indian gamers additionally concerned. Fiji playmaker Iowane Teba additionally completed the match on the sector, having come on within the sixth minute.
Bengaluru took on Delhi Redz within the opener, a staff headlined by Los Pumas Sevens duo Matteo Graziano and Matis Osadczuk. Kenya’s Patrick Odongo Okongo Jordan Conroy from Ireland additionally appeared to make their mark in an equally proficient Redz aspect.
Rokolisoa acquired the first-ever RPL match underway with the kick-off earlier than making historical past solely a minute later. Pla discovered Uganda’s Philip Wokorach, who delivered an ideal offload to Rokolisoa – beating one deal with try earlier than operating in for the rating.
“And there’s the primary attempt, the person on the within will get it. Rokolisoa, the New Zealander. Strive time within the GMR RPL,” commentator Greg Clarke mentioned on RugbyPass TV.
Rok sake toh Rok lo! 🚀
Akuila Rokolisoa was an unstoppable pressure for the Bengaluru Bravehearts within the opener of the inaugural #GMRRugbyPremierLeague ⚡#RugRugMeinRugby #RPL #BBvDR pic.twitter.com/dKuqzB2p5V
— Rugby Premier League (@RPLIndia) June 16, 2025
Odongo hit again for Delhi a couple of minutes later within the first quarter – RPL have adopted a brand new spin on the sevens format, with four-minute quarters as a substitute of seven-minute halves – with Osadczuk changing the attempt to degree the match at 7-all.
Rokolisoa accomplished a double early within the second quarter, earlier than Wokorach additionally crossed for a decisive five-pointer. Bengaluru led 21-7 earlier than Delhi mounted a comeback, with Osadczuk scoring earlier than Okongo accomplished a double as effectively.
It was 21-all going into the fourth quarter, and neither aspect managed to attain go-ahead factors, settling for a dramatic draw within the inaugural match. On day one, Chennai Bulls beat Mumbai Dreamers 24-5 and Hyderabad Heroes defeated Kalinga Black Tigers 24-14.
Rokolisoa’s Bravehearts recorded their first win of the competitors on matchday two at Mumbai Soccer Enviornment, with the playmaker scoring one attempt in a 35-10 win over Maurice Longbottom’s Kalinga Black Tigers.
The Bravehearts have additionally suffered their first loss, happening 43-7 to Hyderabad Heroes on the third matchday. Fiji’s Joji Nasova – who has signed with the Fijian Drua from the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season – is without doubt one of the marquee gamers on that staff.
RPL solely lasts for 2 weeks, with the Bravehearts presently third on the standings with a 1-1-1 document. Chennai Bulls cleared the path with a flawless 3-0-0 document, whereas Kalinga Black Tigers are final with two losses from as many begins.
