New Zealand have qualified for both the men's and women's semi-final at the sevens world series Grand Final tournament at Madrid - but not without a few tense moments in pool play.
After dropping their opening game against Fiji, the All Blacks Sevens had to sweep their remaining match-ups against South Africa and Ireland, and achieved that.
Three yellow cards against the Blitzboks certainly helped the Kiwis, with Leroy Carter scoring a try double.
The turning point came right on halftime, when the NZ men were awarded a penalty try for a high tackle that reduced their rivals to just four men on the field to start the second half 14-10 down.
The All Blacks dominated the second half, with Carter's double and another from Moses Leo securing a 33-24 victory.
After leading Ireland 17-7 at halftime, they had to hold a strong finish to prevail 22-17, as Joe Webber had a try double. The result left New Zealand in second in their pool, with a tough semi match-up against world series winners Argentina.
The Black Ferns Sevens, who had dominated the series, with four straight tournament wins, stumbled against Canada, trailling 21-0 at halftime and unable to reel them in, as they fell 26-17.
The NZ women needed victory over USA to progress and duly obliged 38-5, with Jorja Miller scoring a try double.
They will now face archrivals Australia - unbeaten winners of the other pool - for a place in the final.
All Blacks Sevens 33 (Carter 2, Collier, Leo tries; penalty try; Knewstubb 2 & Rokolisoa conversions) South Africa 24
All Blacks Sevens 22 (Webber 2, Carter, Ware tries; Knewstuff conversion) Ireland 17
Canada 26 Black Ferns Sevens 17 (Waaka, Miller, Felix-Hotham tries; Willison conversion)
Black Ferns Sevens 38 (Miller 2, King, Woodman-Wickliffe, Waaka, Saili tries; King & Pouri-Lane 3 conversions) USA 5
New Zealand have qualified for both the men's and women's semi-final at the sevens world series Grand Final tournament at Madrid - but not without a few tense moments in pool play.
After dropping their opening game against Fiji, the All Blacks Sevens had to sweep their remaining match-ups against South Africa and Ireland, and achieved that.
Three yellow cards against the Blitzboks certainly helped the Kiwis, with Leroy Carter scoring a try double.
The turning point came right on halftime, when the NZ men were awarded a penalty try for a high tackle that reduced their rivals to just four men on the field to start the second half 14-10 down.
The All Blacks dominated the second half, with Carter's double and another from Moses Leo securing a 33-24 victory.
After leading Ireland 17-7 at halftime, they had to hold a strong finish to prevail 22-17, as Joe Webber had a try double. The result left New Zealand in second in their pool, with a tough semi match-up against world series winners Argentina.
The Black Ferns Sevens, who had dominated the series, with four straight tournament wins, stumbled against Canada, trailling 21-0 at halftime and unable to reel them in, as they fell 26-17.
The NZ women needed victory over USA to progress and duly obliged 38-5, with Jorja Miller scoring a try double.
They will now face archrivals Australia - unbeaten winners of the other pool - for a place in the final.
All Blacks Sevens 33 (Carter 2, Collier, Leo tries; penalty try; Knewstubb 2 & Rokolisoa conversions) South Africa 24
All Blacks Sevens 22 (Webber 2, Carter, Ware tries; Knewstuff conversion) Ireland 17
Canada 26 Black Ferns Sevens 17 (Waaka, Miller, Felix-Hotham tries; Willison conversion)
Black Ferns Sevens 38 (Miller 2, King, Woodman-Wickliffe, Waaka, Saili tries; King & Pouri-Lane 3 conversions) USA 5
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