Rugby Sevens: New Zealand teams reach Sydney semis as Aussies stunned

Shiray Kaka runs from a tackle during the HSBC Sydney Sevens. Photosport

The Black Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens have both advanced to the semifinals of the Sydney Sevens events while the home fans were shattered by two French upsets.

The Black Ferns Sevens will look to make it two titles in two weeks after beating Japan 33-0 to reach the quarter-finals.

Michaela Blyde scored in the opening minute, Jorja Miller crossed over in each half while Stacey Fluhler and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe also scored in the convincing quarter-final victory. They will play Ireland for a spot in the final, who the beat in the same stage last week before claiming the Hamilton title.

France’s 10-5 quarterfinal win prevented a familiar final in the women’s competition. Australia and New Zealand have met in two of the three women’s finals to date in the World Sevens Series and New Zealand leads the overall women’s standings by four points from Australia.

Australia now can finish no higher than fifth place. Chloe Pelle scored just before halftime and Carla Nelson added a second try in the 11th minute as France kept Australia on defense for most of the quarterfinal. Faith Nathan sprinted 85 meters for Australia’s only try in the 13th minute but the score came too late for Australia to snatch victory.

France will play USA in the other semifinal.

Home fans also were disappointed when the Australia men were edged by France, 17-14, in their quarterfinal. Australia led 14-7 at halftime but Theo Forner scored his second try of the match to level the score and France advanced to the semifinals with a late penalty to Thomas Carol.

The All Blacks Sevens overcame a narrow loss to South Africa in group play to beat Samoa and reach the semifinals. Dalvon Blood slotted a dropped kick from a penalty in the last minute to give South Africa a 17-14 win over New Zealand after both teams scored two tries.

New Zealand recovered to beat Samoa 12-0 in the quarterfinals with tries to Roderick Solo and Ngarohi McGarvey-Black. South Africa went on to beat Ireland 26-12 in its quarterfinal.

Olympic champion Fiji also reached the semifinals after beating Britain 26-14. Fiji surpassed 50 points in its first two group matches before edging France 19-12 in its third match.

New Zealand will play France and Fiji will play South Africa in the semifinals.

- With AP