Watch: NZ Sevens side's score full length tries in mixed day one results

It wasn’t the perfect first day of the Perth HSBC SVNS Series circuit the Kiwi teams were looking for, but day two is evenly poised for the New Zealand Sevens sides to make the knockout stages.

The New Zealand men’s side opened up the Perth tournament with a 29-14 victory over Kenya in Pool C. The Kiwis were helped by a try-on debut for Bay of Plenty’s Frank Vaenuku and tries from veterans Andrew Knewstubb, Regan Ware, and Ngarohi McGarvey-Black.

Vaennuku’s opening try was on the back of a strong run from Dylan Collier, who offloaded the ball to the debutannt before his fierce fend on the chasing Kenyan defender proved too powerful as he raced to the line.

The second game will be discussed around the world, but for all the wrong reasons if you’re from New Zealand.

The All Blacks Sevens were pipped late by a Uruguay side that had never beaten New Zealand at a SVNS Series event. This came after Uruguay had beaten Fiji 24-17 earlier on day one, coming from 17 points behind to steal victory and top Pool C with one game to go.

Ngarohi McGarvey-Black worked hard to try and get New Zealand over the line against Uruguay, but a lack of discipline late in the game hurt Tomasi Cama’s side.

McGarvey-Black stormed through the Uruguay defensive line to score off a scrum in their own half, dotting down just in time before Uruguay’s Dante Soto could track him down.

The Black Ferns Sevens took care of business in both of their Pool A games on day one in Perth, scoring 96 points and only conceding 7 points combined against Brazil and Ireland.

Thalia da Silva Costa crossed the line against the Black Ferns Sevens for her 99th career SVNS Series try before the stroke of halftime, in an otherwise one-way matchup.

Superstar speedster Katelyn Vaha’akolo ran in a second-half hat trick against Brazil, showcasing once again her importance to this team.

Sarah Hirini turned defence into attack, going the length of the field after a Jorja Miller line break set Hirini free.

 

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The Black Ferns sevens then ran in eight tries against Ireland and kept them scoreless in a dominant end to day one for the Kiwi women.

Risi Pouri-Lane was in the thick of the action again, scoring two tries in the first half and also kicked three conversions.

The Black Ferns Sevens side will take on an unbeaten Japan side in their first game on day two, after already booking a place in the Quarterfinals.

Whereas on the men’s side of the draw, the All Blacks Sevens take on Fiji in a crucial encounter in Pool C at 5:22 PM NZT, which will likely determine who finishes second in the pool.