The HSBC New Zealand Sevens rolls into Hamilton this weekend
The Black Ferns Sevens claimed a famous win in Hamilton yesterday, taking out their first competition played on home soil.
The New Zealand women's team won an exhibition tournament run in conjunction with the men's world series stop, defeating China, England and France to take home the hardware.
It was the highlight of the weekend for New Zealand fans, with the men's team being forced to settle for bronze after being outclassed by the United States in the semifinals.
Losing 19-7, All Blacks Sevens coach Clark Laidlaw said the performance was a "bit more disappointing than a bit."
"A lot of work has gone into the last few weeks and to miss out on playing at home in a final is disappointing and frustrating. The way we played wasn't quite what we were hoping for.
Fiji won the men's tournament, toppling USA 38-0 in the final.
Miss today's action? Catch up below.
6.45pm: Scotland take 5th place with a thrilling 24-19 win over Samoa. We've got a break in the men's action now as China and England battle for third place in the women's fast four competition.
6.26pm: Samoa now play Scotland in the 5th place playoff. Scotland are wearing flouro green kits.
6.18pm: England have beaten Kenya 36-7 to claim the challenge trophy
6.02pm: After a bit of a break, we're back with Kenya and England in the final of the challenge trophy.
New Zealand v USA
Not the greatest showing from the New Zealand side and USA make them pay. A yellow card to Vilimoni Koroi in the second half opened a door for the Americans which they happily walked through.
They outscored NZ three tries to one in the match to book their place in the final against Fiji.
New Zealand will meet South Africa in the bronze medal match.
4.08pm: Scotland have taken an impressive win over Australia 24-14. Fiji now take on South Africa in the first of the cup semifinals.
This is a rematch of the 2017 and 2018 finals at the New Zealand event.
3.46pm: Samoa beat Canada 28-19. Australia v Scotland is next.
3.22pm: The Black Ferns Sevens will meet France in the Fast Four finals. France beat England 24-12 in their final match of the round robin. England will meet China in the playoff for bronze.
We go back to men's action now, with Samoa taking on Canada.
A fast start for the New Zealanders was a sign of things to come. Running in three first-half tries, the Black Ferns Sevens looked in dominant for ahead of the evening's Fast Four final.
It didn't stop in the second half, with the side putting China to the sword - 41-0.
2.40pm: Black Ferns Sevens and China are on the field ready to clash.
2.13pm: Kenya take an impressive 24-7 lead over Argentina to move into the challenge trophy semifinal. They remain a crowd favourite with their dancing after scoring tries.
1.51pm: France will meet Tonga in the playoff for 13th place after beating Wales 35-14.
1.30pm: Tonga have claimed a dominant 31-7 win over Japan. They'll now meet either Wales or France in the match for 13th place.
1.03pm: A late penalty has robbed Scotland of the chance to pull of a major upset as they fell to a 19-14 loss to the USA. The team wer penalised for an infringment at the breakdown on the USA 22m line after the hooter which allowed the USA side to not only take over possession but kick it to touch for the win.
Scotland almost pulled off an upset against USA. Photo / Getty Images
USA will meet NZ in the semifinals, while Scotland go into to running for fifth place.
New Zealand v Australia Australia are shown a yellow card after Maurice Longbottom knocks down the ball deliberately and New Zealand capitalise on the numbers advantage immediately. Dylan Collier picks up the try to give the hosts a 5-0 lead.
Jona Nareki follows it up with a strong effort to plant the footy over the line under hevy pressure, and a try from Regan Ware after the hooter gives the Kiwi side a handy 17-point lead at half-time.
Longbottom makes amends early in the second half, creating a great opportunity for Australia to get on the board, which is finished off well in the corner by Simon Kennewell.
And just when it looked like Australia might find a way back into the match, co-captain Tim Mikkelson stretches the New Zealand lead out further with a try under the sticks. With three minutes to go, NZ lead 24-5.
Australia bag another couple of tries just before the final siren through Lewis Holland and Josh Coward, but New Zealand claim the win 24-17.
12.19pm: South Africa survive a scare against Samoa and claim a flattering 28-19 win to book a date against Fiji in the semifinals. New Zealand meet Australia in the next match.
11.55am: An easy win for Fiji. They beat Canada 33-7 and book their spot in the cup semifinals. They'll meet either South Africa or Samoa, who play in the next match.
11.25am: England beat France 21-5. Fiji now take on Canad in the first of the cup quarter-finals and the crowd have come to life. Again, there's a huge contingent of Fijian fns in the stands.
11.03am: Spain see of a strong challenge from Wales with a 19-10 victory. England take on Frnace now in the final quarter-final of the challenge trophy.
10.44am: Kenya take that one out 19-12. A top effort from Tonga, who aren't mainstays on the Sevens series. Spain take on Wales now.
10.17am: Argentina hold Japan scoreless in the opener, winning 35-0. Kenya take on Tonga next.
10.00am: We're underway with our first game of the day - Argentina take on Japan in the first challenge trophy quarter-final.
9.50am: Some breaking news - All Blacks Sevens captain Scott Curry has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament after sustaining an injury late on day one. Scott Gregory comes in to the squad, with Sione Molia taking on co-captain responsibilities alongside Tim Mikkelson.
Rhythm is key for New Zealand After two dominant performances early on day one, the All Blacks Sevens made a tough go of things against Spain - not that the score reflected it.
The New Zealand side beat their European counterparts 24-0 in the final match of day one, but blew the score line out with two late tries. The Spanish side defended extremely well and only allowed one try in the first half - which came almost two minutes after the half-time siren had sounded.
However, with three wins from as many matches, All Blacks Sevens coach Clark Laidlaw said he was really happy with the rhythm his team had going.
"We got some good rhythm out of the game today and scored a few points, but were being realistic too," he said. "We're under no illusions - day two is a different day, we know that, we'll go home reasonably satisfied and come back tomorrow."
9.12am: It's a beautiful day here in Hamilton and as the advertisements on the pitch are repainted, the lines of fans waiting to get in is growing and growing. I arrived at the ground around 8.30 this morning, and there were already about 30 or 40 people waiting for the ticket booth to open.
If you were hoping to buy tickets for finals day, don't wait too long.
