Rugby: Black Ferns Sevens' 38-game unbeaten run snapped at World Series in Kitakyushu

Tyla Nathan Wong kicks a conversion. Photo / Photosport

The Black Ferns Sevens have had one of their worst days in years at the World Series in Kitakyushu.

First they failed to win for the first time since January last year in a 17-17 draw against Russia, then they crashed to a shock 29-7 defeat to France – snapping their 38-game unbeaten record.

After opening the day with a 43-0 thrashing over the hosts Japan, the Black Ferns looked out of sorts against a spirited Russian side.

In fact, it was nearly an upset win for the Russians until a late try from Tyla Nathan-Wong, who scored after the full-time hooter sounded.

She was set up by Ruby Tui who spotted a gap in the tiring Russian defence and sprinted down the left wing, then finding Nathan-Wong who scored under the posts.

The conversion secured the draw, but it was no consolation for the Ferns side who looked dejected even after the late score.

The draw meant the Ferns fell just one win short of breaking their own record for consecutive victories on the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series.

It only got worse for the defending champs as they fell to a big defeat to France in their final game of the day.

The French rushed out to a 14-0 lead, before Cheyelle Rachael Robins-Reti closed the gap for the Ferns shortly after the break.

But as the game went on, it was France who looked like the team who hadn't lost in 38 games, and piled on two more tries to bring the Ferns back to earth.

Despite their bad day, the Black Ferns still managed to qualify for the quarter-finals and will play USA tomorrow.