New Zealand men, women unbeaten in New Zealand Sevens

Hosts and defending champions New Zealand swept all three matches to top its group on the opening day of men's matches at the New Zealand round of the World Rugby Sevens Series on Saturday.

Olympic champions Fiji and South Africa also finished the first day of the tournament with three wins and the United States had two wins and a draw. World Se‐ ries leaders Samoa lost to Fiji 22‐ 12 in one of the pivotal matches of the group round.

New Zealand's crucial match was against Australia which it won 21‐19 with a late try to Akuila Rokolisoa who scored a hat trick in the match.

On the women's side, New Zealand also was unbeaten on Day One. The New Zealand team did‐ n't concede a point in beating Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Britain.

The United States and Olympic gold medalists Australia also were unbeaten in the women's draw.

Veteran rugby player Beale charged over sexual assault

Veteran rugby winger Kurtley Beale was granted bail by a Syd‐ ney court on Saturday after being charged over an alleged sexual as‐ sault.

The 34‐year‐old, 95‐test Wal‐ laby was ordered to surrender his passport, not contact witnesses and to report to police daily.

Beale was arrested on Friday and held in custody over an al‐ leged incident in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Dec. 17.

He faces four charges, including sexual intercourse without con‐ sent. The charges came after po‐ lice received a report that a 28‐year‐old woman was sexually assaulted at a licensed premise in Bondi Beach.

Beale was arrested in a vehicle stop on Friday afternoon.

In a statement, Rugby Australia said Beale had been suspended pending the conclusion of the legal proceedings.

"This step follows Mr. Beale's ar‐ rest and subsequent charge with serious criminal offenses, and is in line with Rugby Australia's pro‐ fessional player code of conduct," it said.

Beale took part in a 44‐man Wal‐ labies training camp on the Gold Coast in Queensland state last week.

Beale recently returned to Aus‐ tralia after playing with Top 14 club Racing 92 in France and planned to play for New South Wales Waratahs in Super Rugby this season.