All Black Sevens pay price for costly loss
A year after the winning the Los Angeles sevens event, the All Black Sevens failed to qualify for the quarterfinals.
New Zealand’s disappointing tournament continued, being knocked over 28-19 by hosts, United States, yesterday..
It was their second loss in three group games in LA after opening with a surprise 24-17 loss to trans-Tasman rivals Australia on Saturday. New Zealand were then pushed hard by Samoa in their second match, holding on to win 10-7.
Facing a must-win scenario, New Zealand failed to fire, outclassed by a confident USA side, who outscored them four tries to three.
The All Black Sevens made a superb start, scoring in the first minute through Scott Curry. USA then hit back scoring two quick tries via a Perry Baker double.
A third USA try from Joe Schroeder had them rolling at halftime, leading 21-7.
New Zealand hit back to begin the second half with a five pointer to Joe Webber. The defining moment came when Malacchi Esdale dotted down for the US to extend their lead to 28-14.
Meanwhile, the Black Ferns Sevens powered into the quarterfinals of the women’s competition after winning all three pool matches.
Fresh off winning gold in Vancouver, New Zealand produced a comprehensive 38-7 victory over Fiji in their final pool match yesteday.
In their opening pool match on Saturday, they ran in seven tries to one against South Africa, with Kelsey Teneti and Shiray Kaka helping themselves to a brace and Jorja Miller, Michaela Blyde and Mahina Paul also getting on the scoresheet.
They made even lighter work of Brazil yesterday, running out 40-0 winners in a match where Tyla King (née Nathan-Wong) became the record points scorer in women’s sevens history. King scored one of the Black Ferns’ six tries and also kicked four conversions.
It was after converting Michaela Blyde’s second try that King equalled Canada’s Ghislaine Landry record, before passing it moments later with a try to become the most prolific points scorer on the women’s circuit.
“It’s pretty awesome, especially when most of those points have come from the right boot and not scoring tries,” King said.