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Home / Bay of Plenty Times

Rugby: Mixed bag for All Blacks Sevens on day one of Canada Sevens in Vancouver

Kristin Macfarlane
By Kristin Macfarlane
Bay of Plenty Times·
9 Mar, 2019 10:26 PM3 mins to read

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Joe Ravouvou passes the ball while playing France during day one of the Canada Sevens at BC Place in Vancouver. Photo / Getty Images

Joe Ravouvou passes the ball while playing France during day one of the Canada Sevens at BC Place in Vancouver. Photo / Getty Images

After a shock loss to Spain, the need for New Zealand's sevens team to win their final pool match against Australia was huge.

They went into that final match playing a safe game, careful in their passes, not wanting to give up any ball to their opposition. That game plan worked well for the Kiwi side who took the win with a final score of 36-12.

A loss to Australia would have meant breaking their 100 per cent record of making Cup quarter finals.

The first minute of the that All Blacks Sevens vs Australia game, the Kiwis remained patient with Joe Ravouvou finding an opening about 90 seconds in to score the first try of the match, followed up less than a minute later with a second try by Sam Dickson.

New Zealand's co-captain Tim Mikkelson impressively steals the ball and sprints his way to the try-line with ease, securing the team's third try of the match. At the end of half time, New Zealand's dominance is clear with a 19-point lead.

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Back on the field Ravouvou scores his fifth try of the day, countered by Australia finally putting points on the board. New Zealand scores twice more before fulltime - Vilimoni Koroi paces it straight to the try-line from a line-out, backed up by Ngarohi McGarvey-Black who claims the points, before Koroi again sets up another try.

Australia manage one more try before fulltime but it's too late - come Monday New Zealand head into the Cup quarterfinals and Australia go into the Challenge Trophy.

New Zealand's dominance in the final of pool play was in contrast to their second, suffering a shock 26-24 loss to Spain - the first time the European nation had claimed victory over against the All Blacks Sevens.

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RE:LIVE: Spain's historic first win against New Zealand

What a moment! Last play of the game. A try to needed to win it. Up steps Federación Española de Rugby's Pol PLa to beat New Zealand for the first time EVER #Canada7s #DHLRugby

Posted by World Rugby Sevens on Saturday, 9 March 2019

It was a game that started slow. New Zealand scored first, again through Ravouvou and his powerful speed, and then through Andrew Knewstubb. However, an unintentional knock on by Dickson going in to tackle meant he was sent off, providing Spain with the opportunity to get some points on the board - and they did, with two tries, ending the first quarter 14-12.

Still with six on the field, New Zealand just could not stop Spain, who increased their lead 21-12. There was slight relief when both Dickson and Ravouvou score taking a three-point lead 24-21 but that was shut down in extra seconds when Spain scored again and claimed their first win over the Kiwi side.

In New Zealand's first match of the tournament, they dominated from start to finish, only allowing France to score once. With some impressive work on the field, including a steal by Tone Ng Shiu, they finished with a 45-7 victory.

RE:LIVE: Pick pocket central for NG Shiu

"Pick pocket central. NG Shiu, I'll have that thank you very much!" NG Shiu burgles a beauty to set up this try for NZ7s #Canada7s #DHLRugby

Posted by World Rugby Sevens on Saturday, 9 March 2019

On Monday, New Zealand will play Fiji at 7.30am.

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