Rugby Sevens: All Blacks suffer humiliating loss to Spain in Cape Town opener

The All Blacks Sevens have made a frustrating start to their title defence in Cape Town. Photo / Photosport

The All Blacks Sevens have been stunned by Spain 14-10 in their opening game of the Cape Town Sevens on Saturday.

Spain scored two converted tries against two unconverted efforts by a New Zealand side down a man after Tone Ng Shiu was sent off.

Manu Moreno slipped a tackle on the left wing for a try at the end of the first half, the extras from Juan Martinez put Spain 7-0 up at the interval.

Regan Ware hit back for New Zealand before Spain captain Juan Ramos stepped past three defenders to score and converted his own try.

Moses Leo scored late but New Zealand lost to Spain for only the second time in the sevens world series - the first was in 2019 in Vancouver - suffering a massive blow in their quest to defend their Cape Town title.

Elsewhere, world series champions Australia lost to Britain 21-19. Australia led 19-14 until the last minute, when Britain’s Femi Sofolarin broke from inside his own 22 and streaked away up the middle to the posts. Kaleem Barreto slotted the match-winning conversion.

The men played only one match each while the women played two; unbeaten were Australia, New Zealand, France, United States, Fiji and Ireland.