Sarah Goss' last-gasp try capped a remarkable second-half comeback for New Zealand as they dethroned Antipodean rivals Australia to claim the women's spoils at the Dubai Sevens.
All seemed lost for the World Rugby Women's World Seven Series champions after trailing 17-0 at the interval thanks to scores from Emma Tonegato (2) and Amy Turner.
The Black Ferns were then sprung into life by Goss' first of a match-winning double, her efforts sandwiched by Tyla Nathan-Wong.
The deciding play came with less than 20 seconds on the clock. A tapped penalty was eventually worked to the 21 year old who crashed over on the wing, securing a 19-17 triumph to spark jubilant celebrations on the pitch and in the stands.
Her try decided a second-successive classic meeting between the nations in the UAE, gaining revenge for Australia's 35-27 triumph in last year's thrilling decider.
The Black Ferns nerves had been previously strained in the quarter-final, Russia fluffing a conversion with the last kick of the match to level the scores and set up the possibility of an enormous upset.
The finalists in Dubai shared victories on last season's five-event series, New Zealand eventually coming out on top to be crowned champions. This year sees an added element of the top four qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Elsewhere, 15-a-side Women's Rugby World Cup winners England recovered from a 7-5 quarter-final Cup defeat to France to win the Plate. Their 19-12 sudden-death victory against Fiji came courtesy of Natasha Hunt's touchdown.
Men's tournament
New Zealand look the team to beat in Dubai after setting a fearsome benchmark in yesterday's HSBC Sevens World Series pool-stage play.
The All Blacks treated the boisterous 44,000-strong 7he Sevens crowd to an ominous exhibition of free-flowing rugby, steamrollering Pool B opponents Japan, Scotland and hotly-tipped Samoa by a combined score of 120-0.
Lethal winger Tim Mikkelson led the way, becoming just the third player to reach the 150-try mark in the tournament with a blistering hat-trick against Japan.
The reigning World Series and Rugby World Cup Sevens champions – who have not lifted the trophy in the UAE since 2009 – are joined in today's Cup quarter-finals by holders Fiji, Argentina, Scotland, Australia, England, last year's beaten finalists South Africa and Wales.
Dubai champions Fiji were indebted to outstanding performer Osea Ramodi Kolinisau, who continued his red-hot form from October's season-opening Gold Coast Sevens-triumph.
The 29-year-old winger topped the scoring charts once more with 37 points, notching a brace of tries in the outstanding 54-7 win against France.
The Pacific Islanders were made to sweat in their final Pool A match against Argentina, a late surge securing a 33-21 victory.
Fiji are going for their first ever back-to-back World Series wins, this focus ensuring that coach Ben Ryan refused to discount the challenge of quarter-final opponents Wales.
A gala day featuring scores of revellers decked out in fancy dress on Pitch 1's lively BP Stand was given a headline ending by Australia's hard-fought 12-5 Pool C victory against perennial rivals England.
The Europeans took an early lead through winger Dan Norton, but were unable to respond after Pama Fou and Allan Fa'alava'au crashed over.
South Africa enjoyed a steady start yesterday, topping Group D with a trio of wins against Canada, Portugal and Wales. Their reward is a tricky quarter-final meeting with Group A runners-up Argentina.
On a day of few upsets the big shock came when Scotland recovered from 14-0 down to inflict a damaging seven-point Pool B defeat on Samoa, the result eventually seeing the runners-up from the Gold Coast drop down to the Bowl.
Gulf Men's League
Abu Dhabi Harlequins are on course to capture a second UAE rugby trophy of the season after they brushed aside Dubai Exiles I to reach the semi-finals of the Dubai Sevens.
After their Sport360 UAE Premiership final heroics barely a month ago against Dubai Hurricanes, Quins sauntered into the last four of the Gulf Men’s League last night with a walkover 38-0 win against Exiles.
Quins look in ominous form, with their Trophy quarter-final triumph their smallest margin of victory of the tournament so far, while they are yet to concede a single point in two days of competition.
The Zayed Sport City men beat Premiership final opponents Canes 56-0 and Arabian Knights 51-0 on Thursday, completing their group action with a 39-0 triumph over Xodus Wasps yesterday.
Meanwhile, Dragons’ miserable season continues, after they were dumped out at the last eight stage by Ross Mills’ Canes 14-5.
UAE Conference runaway leaders Al Ain Amblers are also through to the semi-finals after a 17-10 win over Abu Dhabi Saracens.
Doha are the fourth team through to the Trophy semis after a 38-12 win over Canes II.
Elsewhere, in the Plate last eight, Arabian Knights beat Dubai Frogs 24-14, Red Sea Sharks beat Dragons II 19-7, Quins II beat Muscat I 31-10 and Wasps I beat Bahrain 47-5.
Don't forget to check out the Sport360LIVE blog to see all the action as it happened as well as some of the best photos and videos from social media during the day.
