Spain shock New Zealand in World Rugby Sevens

First change: 09/12/2022 – 20:42

Cape Town (AFP) – The mighty All Blacks overturned a poor start to the World Rugby Sevens series at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday as they fell 14-10 to Spain.

Last edition’s winners Australia also lost against England on the first day (21-19), but it was the defeat of New Zealand, the most successful team in the history of the series, that was the big surprise.

New Zealand, who advanced to the semi-finals of the tournament in Dubai last week, had a mistake against a top-flight Spain side.

South Africa, who have won 11 of the 21 World Series matches played in New Zealand, need to beat Argentina and Kenya in their remaining group matches to continue their dominance.

For its part, South Africa, who won in Dubai, opened their campaign with a 17-7 win over Canada.

Other men’s teams on day one include Fiji, Samoa, Ireland, Argentina and USA.

Unlike their men’s counterparts, the Australian and New Zealand women’s teams won their respective duties.

Charlotte Coslick scored Australia’s first try in a 52-0 win over South Africa in Cape Town. © RODGER BOSCH / AFP

Australia won the women’s tournament in Dubai by scoring 90 points, beating South Africa 52-0 and Spain 38-0.

Runners-up New Zealand beat Brazil 31-7 and Great Britain 19-7 in Dubai.

USA, Fiji and Ireland also won both their meetings.