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KEY POINTS:
New Zealand's defence of their Wellington sevens rugby crown began in disastrous fashion with a 28-17 hammering at the hands of Wales.
The result was one of two stunning upsets in the first round of pool matches at the International Rugby Board series tournament, with fellow sevens powerhouse Fiji crashing 15-10 to the United States.
New Zealand's chances were rocked in the second minute when halfback Tomasi Cama was sent off for punching Rhodri McAtee following a scuffle.
Playing with six men for the remainder, the tournament hosts couldn't contain a Welsh side who dominated possession and scored four tries to to three.
The red card may result in key playmaker Cama's suspension for the remainder of the tournament, with a judiciary hearing today to determine his fate.
Despite being a man down, New Zealand opened the scoring through Nafi Tuitavake, who fended off McAtee on a 40m run to the line.
McAtee replied with the first of four successive Welsh tries to open up a 28-5 lead. The others went to Aled Brew, Taliesen Selley and Rhys Webb.
New Zealand were reduced to five late in the first half when captain DJ Forbes was sinbinned by Argentina referee Marcello Pilara for a deliberate foot trip.
Viliame Waqaseduadua responded for New Zealand and Forbes crossed in the final minute when the game ended six-on-six as Wales' Lee Beach had been sinbinned for a professional foul.
Earlier, Fiji conceded a late try to an ecstatic United States, also throwing their playoff chances into question.
Two further rounds of pool play remained today, with the top two teams advancing to tomorrow's Cup quarterfinals,
Series leaders South Africa avoided the early drama, beating Scotland 24-0 while Kenya pipped Tonga 21-14 and Argentina drew 17-17 with Canada in other key matches.
- NZPA
