The All Blacks Sevens have snuck into the quarter-finals at the Cape Town leg of the new world series, despite a miserable opening day.
Grouped alongside Canada, Australia and Samoa, New Zealand were beaten twice and recorded just one solitary victory, but a losing bonus point against Samoa was enough to finish third in Pool C and advance to face Ireland in the next round.
Opening against the North Americans, the Kiwis took the lead early through Sione Molia, but conceded three tries without answer and fell to a 19-7 shock loss. The win was Canada's first over New Zealand since 2017 and ended an 11-game losing streak against the All Blacks Sevens.
With little room for error in their final two fixtures, New Zealand bounced back in emphatic fashion, putting Australia to the sword 35-5.
A hattrick to Leroy Carter, and tries from Moses Leo and Ngarohi McGarvey-Black saw them take a 35-0 lead, before Hayden Sargeant managed a consolation try for Australia.
Finishing their opening day against Samoa - a rematch of last year's final - Molia scored in the first minute for the second time on day one, but New Zealand against failed to hold onto their lead, as Motu Opeatai, Tanuu Niulavea and Elisapeta Alofipo all crossed the line within a five-minute scoring spree.
NZ captain Scott Curry scored with the final play of the game, which was enough to progress to the knockout stages. Samoa kicked the ball out and the bonus point saw them off the bottom of their pool.
The All Blacks Sevens sit third on the World Series standings, after taking the bronze medal in the season-opening leg at Dubai last week.
