All Blacks and Black Ferns Sevens through to semi-finals

The All Blacks Sevens have qualified for the semi-finals of the World Sevens Series in Hamilton after squeaking past Ireland.

A try to Brady Rush in the final minute broke a 5-all deadlock to see the home side take a 10-5 victory and advance through to play France in the semi-final.

The New Zealand men’s side had to overcome a yellow card to Dylan Collier before finding the game-winning try.

The quarter-finals saw two surprising upsets with France knocking out the fancied Blitzboks by 22-17 while Argentina defeated Fiji by 19-10.

Argentina are set to face the United States in the other semi-final after defeating Australia comfortably 28-14.

The two leading countries on the men’s World Sevens Series circuit, Samoa and South Africa, have already been knocked out offering New Zealand the chance to improve their standing after a bronze in Dubai and silver medal finish in Cape Town.

In the women’s fixtures, the Black Ferns will play Ireland in their semi-final after beating Japan 43-12 after a hat-trick to Shiray Kaka.

Returning star Portia Woodman-Wickliffe capped off the comfortable win with a late try.

In the other women’s semi-final Australia will play the USA after dispatching Great Britian 38-0.

Another final between the two trans-tasman rivals, who sit equal first in the series, could be on the table in Hamilton.

Australia and New Zealand met in the finals in Dubai and Cape Town, splitting honours with one win apiece.