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All Blacks and Black Ferns Sevens through to semi-finals
By Ben Smith
The All Blacks Sevens have qualified for the semi-finals of the World Sevens Series in Hamilton after squeaking past Ireland.
A try to Brady Rush in the final minute broke a 5-all deadlock to see the home side take a 10-5 victory and advance through to play France in the semi-final.
The New Zealand men's side had to overcome a yellow card to Dylan Collier before finding the game-winning try.
The quarter-finals saw two surprising upsets with France knocking out the fancied Blitzboks by 22-17 while Argentina defeated Fiji by 19-10.
Argentina are set to face the United States in the other semi-final after defeating Australia comfortably 28-14.
The two leading countries on the men's World Sevens Series circuit, Samoa and South Africa, have already been knocked out offering New Zealand the chance to improve their standing after a bronze in Dubai and silver medal finish in Cape Town.
In the women's fixtures, the Black Ferns will play Ireland in their semi-final after beating Japan 43-12 after a hat-trick to Shiray Kaka.
Returning star Portia Woodman-Wickliffe capped off the comfortable win with a late try.
In the other women's semi-final Australia will play the USA after dispatching Great Britian 38-0.
Another final between the two trans-tasman rivals, who sit equal first in the series, could be on the table in Hamilton.
Australia and New Zealand met in the finals in Dubai and Cape Town, splitting honours with one win apiece.
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Latest Comments
This would be great news for England, but I would have doubts about whether he deserves a hybrid contract. He's not as good as Feyi-Waboso or Freeman, and he might be behind Roebuck and Sleightholme in the pecking order. Behind them Hendy and Elliott are probably at a similar level to Arundell.
Go to commentsNothing to do with fair or unfair for me. Purely about results & the manner in which the ABs were losing. I was optimistic in 2020 but only 3 wins from 6 tests played soon dented that. By the time Schmidt & Ryan were recruited in 2022, the ABs & Foster were a laughing stock & their win rate was in the toilet. Thankfully Schmidt & Ryan helped turn the ABs fortunes somewhat.
The biggest issue I had with Cane as Skipper was his absence for nearly 50% of tests played. Through injury. Buck Shelford wrote an article on this very issue in 2021, suggesting Cane should relinquish the captaincy & concentrate on availability when fit.
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