New Zealand and Australia again showed why they are the two best sevens sides on the HSBC SVNS Series this season.
After day one of the HSBC SVNS World Championship Series tournament in Valladolid, the trans-Tasman rivals appear to be on another final collision course following perfect pool starts.
But France will be looking to have a say in the final standings, winning their two opening day outings convincingly to finish the day top of Pool C, ahead of Canada.
POOL A: Black Ferns Sevens lay down marker
New Zealand’s dominant season continued in Valladolid. After six tournament wins so far this season, they head into day two at Estadio Jose Zorrilla at the top of Pool B with a sizeable points advantage over nearest rivals Japan.
Brazil – without the high-speed try-scoring services of Thalia Costa until Sunday – struggled to make an impact in their opening match against an organised Japan. Michiyo Suda scored two of the Sakura Sevens’ tries in a routine 24-7 win.
Japan later made it two from two on day one with a 33-10 win over Argentina courtesy of Michiyo Suda’s second-half double, setting up a decisive clash with the also unbeaten New Zealand on Saturday.
Talia Rodich had got the scoreboard moving as Argentina sprang an early surprise on hot favourites New Zealand in the two sides’ first-ever meeting. But it was then business as usual as the Black Ferns Sevens clicked into gear, scoring six tries en route to a 38-7 victory.
The all-conquering New Zealand followed up their opening round win with a 40-12 win over Brazil, Jorja Miller scoring two of their six tries.
POOL B: Levi shines as Australia rule Pool B
The remarkable Maddison Levi added six tries to her tally on the opening day in Valladolid – and also notched her first conversion as she hunts down Michaela Brake’s all-time record – to help Australia to a perfect start in Spain.
Hat-tricks against South Africa and Fiji took Levi to 61 touchdowns so far this season, putting her within nine of breaking her own all-time season record.
It wasn’t all a walk in the Estadio Jose Zorrilla, however. Determined qualifiers South Africa – who are missing a number of key players through injury – made them work harder than expected for their 26-12 opening match win.
Reapi Ulunisau’s 99th international sevens try was a last-minute consolation for Fiji, after the Levi sisters scored five of Australia’s tries as they eased to a 45-5 victory.
Earlier, Fiji’s rolling bench did the job in the opening match of the day at Estadio Jose Zorrilla. Verenaisi Ditavutu, Mariana Talatoka and Atelaite Buna Ralivanawa all scored in the second half to set up a surprise 26-19 win over USA.
That result piled the pressure on USA, who could not afford a slip-up against South Africa. They responded in clinical fashion, Kaylen Thomas scoring twice, while Su Adegoke and Ariana Ramsey got their names on the scoreboard as USA won 26-12.
POOL C: France lead Canada after perfect opening day
Maria Garcia got the growing Friday Valladolid crowd cheering with a touchdown late in the first half of Spain’s opening match against Canada. But the Olympic silver medallists were always in control, and eased away to a 35-7 win.
The Canadians – with Breanne Nicholas joining the elite 50-tournament group – then opened up a 21-0 first-half lead in their second outing of the day against Great Britain, and weathered a second-half fightback to win 21-12, though emotions were tempered by a late injury to Piper Logan.
Alycia Christiaens scored the second hat-trick of the day in Spain, and 19-year-old rookie Anaik Konyi dotted down for a second-half double as France beat Great Britain 34-0.
In the final Pool C outing of the day, Spain had France under all sorts of early pressure – but once Chloe Jacquet had broken clear for a 70m run-in and France survived a yellow card unscathed, there was only going to be one winner. It ended 33-7.