SEVENS ON A HIGH

The All Blacks Sevens bid in Hamilton always looked like it would come down their pool game against the United States.

With the men’s tournament running alongside the women’s this year, both competitions will skip quarterfinals. In the men’s tournament, the top team from each of the four pools advances to the semifinals, while the others battle for the minor placings.

With the New Zealanders and Americans two of the best teams on tour, one has to miss out.

While the All Blacks Sevens’ 26-5 win over the US doesn’t guarantee a semifinal spot, it leaves the latter relying on one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history for their title hopes to remain alive.

The All Blacks Sevens raced out to an early lead through Scott Curry. Ngarohi McGarvey-Black’s conversion looked like it might end up being important when American speedster Perry Baker sprinted down the left sideline to score, with the subsequent shot at goal sprayed wide. However, the hosts hit back almost immediately with a terrific solo effort from Kurt Baker, the conversion extending the lead to nine points at the break.

After something of an arm wrestle in the second half, a powerful run saw Tim Mikkelson carry defenders over the tryline and plant the ball to seal the win, with Sam Dickson adding another on the final hooter.

Mikkelson said they knew what they were in for against the US.

“They got second in the World Series last year. They’re an extremely consistent team, with the big boys up front and that speed out wide. We knew if we could start really well against Wales and build something, the last game of the Hamilton Sevens day one, we all just wanted to get up because we’ve all got our families in the crowd.

“We talked about winning our pool because there are no quarter-finals. We’ve got two wins so we’re on track if we can get up against a good Scotland team [this afternoon].

“We played them in the quarterfinals in Cape Town and they really came back. They’re the same sort of boys [as the US team], really big with some pace, so if we can keep defending the way we are, we’ve got a good shot.”

Elsewhere, Fiji cruised through their first two matches to finish the day top of their pool with the semifinals in sight, while England and Canada also topped their groups.