The All Blacks Sevens suffered a shock defeat to Spain on the opening day of the new season

All black The Sevens qualified for the quarter-finals of the Cup at the Dubai Sevens, but things were far from smooth sailing for the New Zealanders on the opening day of the 2024/25 HSBC SVNS Series season as they finished third in Group C.

Joe Webber Ngarohi McGarvey-Black And Tone Ng Shiu helped start the new All Blacks Sevens campaign in style with a 28-12 victory over the USA, which later proved to be a crucial result in a bid to keep their UAE trophy hopes alive.

When they faced Spain, New Zealand were hoping to make it two from two, but the card was a historic result from the first minute as the Europeans took control. Manu Moreno crossed the line early on and soon after Francisco Consculella added another five points to Spain’s tally.

Anton Legorburu Anso scored Spain’s third try just before half-time. Spain with a strong 19-7 halftime lead. Bay of Plenty’s Cody Wai scored for the All Blacks Sevens during a one-sided first period in this pool stage clash.

Legorburu Anso scored a double in the 12th round.^th minute to further increase Spain’s lead. While the New Zealanders hit back against Joey Taumatein, time was not on their side as Espana recorded only their third ever win over the All Blacks Sevens.

The All Blacks Sevens were keen to avoid the uncertainty that comes with finishing third in a pool (where the top two third-placed teams in three groups qualify for the quarter-finals) but this did not happen as they were trapped on the wrong side of the scoreboard for the second time.

New Zealand played traditional sevens opponents Fiji in their third pool match, and again it was their opponents who struck first. Therio Veilava scored in the third minute, but Vai was able to reduce the early deficit to two points with a fifth-minute effort.

But Fiji continued their winning ways with tries from Pilipo Bukaiaro and Filipe Sauturagi in the second term. Brady Rush scored for New Zealand, but Sauthuragi’s goal all but ended the All Blacks Sevens’ hopes of a comeback victory.

The New Zealanders lost 21-12.

Fiji finished in pole position in Group C, while Spain finished second with two wins from three matches. USA failed to reach the quarter-finals and will instead have to fight Uruguay, Kenya and Ireland for ninth place at best.

The All Blacks Sevens take on South Africa’s Blitzboks in the second quarter-final of the Men’s Cup on Sunday at 8:10pm NZ time. The two teams last played at the Olympic Games in Paris, where the team South Africa recording a shock victory en route to bronze at the Stade de France.

Fiji will take over France Argentina will face Australia in the second quarter, while Great Britain will take on Spain in an intriguing knockout match. It is interesting to note again that Ireland, who finished second in the league last season, did not qualify for the quarter-finals.

The Black Ferns Sevens team also remain in contention for Dubai Sevens glory after beating Brazil 33-5 and beating Brazil 33-5. Japan 36-12 and victory over the Olympic silver medalists Canada 38-5 during flawless pool play.

New Zealand women’s team will play Ireland in the third quarterfinal. The other Cup knockout matches will be Great Britain v Japan at 6.20pm NZ time, Australia will play Canada in a rematch of the Olympic semi-final and the USA will play France.