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New Zealand men off to fast start in Paris with two opening day wins
By Ben Smith
New Zealand’s men sevens team has got off to the perfect start in Paris with two opening day wins over South Africa and Japan.
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They started the day with a resounding win over Japan in front of a packed Stade de France covered in sunshine.
Ngarohi McGarvey-Black sparked the side with a break from the opening kick-off. Superstar Akuila Rokolisoa finished for New Zealand’s first try close to the line.
Japan stunned New Zealand with a try to equalise after a clever grubber kick bounced up perfectly for Shotaro Tsuoka.
It took all of ten seconds for New Zealand to respond with Fehi Fineanganofo throwing off a defender and running the length of the field from the restart.
Fineanganofo grabbed his double and another by New Zealand to McGarvey-Black put the game beyond reach by half-time at 26-7.
New Zealand finished 40-12 winners with second half tries to Rokolisoa and McGarvey-Black, joining Fineanganofo with doubles in the match.
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In the crunch fixture against South Africa, New Zealand started with aggressive intent, attacking from the opening kickoff from inside their own 22.
They were handed a scrum from which they pulled off a blindside play with McGarvey-Black throwing a slick backhand offload to free Leroy Carter down the right hand side.
A 1-2 saw McGarvey-Black get the ball back before another unbelievable flick pass Benji-style to Andrew Knewstubb took play down to the five.
Quick hands to the left saw Moses Leo crash over cutting back through traffic for the opening score.
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South Africa struck back through speedster Selvyn Davids after a quick break from a forced ruck penalty.
It was the Carter-McGarvey-Black combination that produced again for New Zealand, working the left hand side together with Andrew Knewstubb producing the final key pass.
McGarvey-Black finished comfortably in the corner for a 10-5 lead at half-time.
A penalty for a high shot on Leroy Carter proved a pivotal moment in the second half.
New Zealand were backtracking under pressure from the Blitzboks, but the penalty turned into a counter-attacking opportunity and the quick tap found speedster Moses Leo in space on the left.
The 26-year-old turned on the afterburners to go over untouched and give New Zealand a 17-5 lead which remained the final score.
New Zealand are assured quarter-final qualification ahead of their final pool A fixture against Ireland, who managed to beat South Africa earlier in the day.
Ireland are also undefeated with two wins from the opening day after also beating Japan 40-5.
