Rugby sevens: NZ make good start in Hong Kong

Favourites New Zealand kicked off their bid for a first Hong Kong Sevens rugby title since 2001 with a crushing 50-5 win over minnows Taiwan last night.

Their eight-try romp in the pool A match stretched their record streak of match wins in the IRB Sevens World Series to 37.

New Zealand's dominance on the sevens circuit this season means a tournament win here would all but wrap up their eighth series title in nine years.

They opened the scoring just after the minute mark through Victor Vito and dominated possession apart from conceding a surprise late try to the Taiwanese.