Both sevens teams through safely

Both New Zealand sevens rugby teams today qualified for tomorrow’s semi-finals without any fuss.

The New Zealand women, who were in devastating form on the first day of the tournament, finished pool play today with a 24-7 win over Canada.

There was a flurry of excitement when Canada led 7-5 at halftime, but they were held scoreless in the second half while the New Zealanders went on a tryfest.

For New Zealand, Michaela Blyde scored two tries, with others added by Stacey Waaka and Portia Woodman – her sixth of the tournament. Tyla Nathan-Wong added two conversions.

In the semi-finals, the New Zealand women, Olympic silver medallists in 2016, play England.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand men got their tournament under way with three victories.

First up they smashed Zambia 54-0, with tries by the captain, Scott Curry, Kurt Baker, Andrew Knewstubb, Vilimoni Koroi, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Akuila Rokolisoa, Sione Molia and Tim Mikkelson. Baker, Knewstubb and Rokolisoa kicked 2 conversions each, and Koroi added another. New Zealand led 19-0 at halftime.

The New Zealand men then dealt summarily with Kenya, winning 40-7.

Knewstubb, Koroi, Nanai-Seturo, Molia, Regan Ware and Curry scored tries. Knewstubb and Koroi each kicked two conversions and Baker added another. New Zealand led 19-0 at halftime.

In their final match of the day, the men beat Canada 33-7, after leading 19-0 at halftime.

Ware scored two tries, with others from Baker, Curry and Koroi. Knewstubb kicked three conversions and Baker one.