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All Blacks Sevens suffer shock loss to Spain on opening day of new season
By Finn Morton
The All Blacks Sevens have qualified for the Cup quarter-finals at the Dubai Sevens but it was far from smooth sailing for the New Zealanders on the opening day of the 2024/25 HSBC SVNS Series season as they finished third in Pool C.
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Joe Webber, Ngarohi McGarvey-Black and Tone Ng Shiu helped kick the new campaign off in style for the All Blacks Sevens as they registered a 28-12 win over the USA, which later proved to be a decisive result in a bid to keep their trophy hopes alive in the UAE.
When they faced Spain, New Zealand looked to make it two from two, but a historic result appeared to be the cards from the opening minute as the Europeans took control. Manu Moreno crossed the try line early on and Francisco Conscullela added another five points to Spain’s score shortly after.
Anton Legorburu Anso scored Spain’s third try just before the half-time break, with Spain carrying a strong 19-7 lead into the interval. Bay of Plenty’s Cody Vai scored for the All Blacks Sevens during an otherwise one-sided opening term in this pool stage showdown.
Legorburu Anso completed a double in the 12th minute to extend Spain’s lead further. While the New Zealanders hit back through Joey Taumateine, time wasn’t on their side as Espana claimed a famous 14-26 win.
That was just their third-ever win over the All Blacks Sevens.
The All Blacks Sevens looked to avoid the uncertainty that comes with finishing third in pool play – with the two best third-placed teams across the three groups qualifying for the quarter-finals – but it wasn’t to be as they were caught on the wrong side of the scoreboard for the second time.
New Zealand played traditional sevens rivals Fiji in their third pool match, and once again it was their opponents who struck first. Terio Veilawa scored in the third minute, but Vai was able to reduce the early deficit to two points with an effort in the fifth minute.
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But Fiji continued their charge towards victory with tries to Pilipo Bukayaro and Filipe Sauturaga during the second term. Brady Rush had scored for New Zealand, but the goal-kicking boot of Sauturaga all-but brought an end to the All Blacks Sevens’ hopes of a comeback win.
The New Zealanders were beaten 21-12.
Fiji finished in pole position out of Pool C while Spain finished in second with two wins from their three matches. The USA failed to make the quarter-finals and will instead be left to battle it out for ninth place at best against Uruguay, Kenya and Ireland.
The All Blacks Sevens will play South Africa’s Blitzboks at 8:10 pm NZST on Sunday in the second men’s Cup quarter-final. These two sides last played at the Paris Olympics, with Team South Africa recording a shock win en route to bronze at Stade de France.
Fiji will take on France in the second quarter, Argentina will come up against Australia, and Great Britain will clash with Spain in an intriguing knockout clash. It’s interesting to note again that Ireland, who finished second in the league last season, didn’t make the quarters.
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The Black Ferns Sevens also remain in the hunt for Dubai Sevens glory after recording a 33-5 win over Brazil, triumphing over Japan 36-12 and beating Olympic silver medallists Canada 38-5 during a flawless run in pool play.
New Zealand’s women’s side will take on Ireland in the third quarter-final. The other Cup knockout clashes will be Great Britain against Japan at 6:20 pm NZST, Australia will take on Canada in a rematch of an Olympic semi-final, and the USA will play France.
7s really is a kiwi sporting afterthought now.
Or the standard of rugby across all formats is slipping.