All Blacks Sevens have brushed off defeat to France to prevail in an extra-time thriller against Samoa on the opening day of the World Sevens Series stop in Perth.
A superb team try finished by Leroy Carter followed by another to Tim Mikkelson put the Kiwis in the box seat at Perth's HBF Park.
But Samoa refused to lie down, with a quick double strike from Uaina Tui Sione and Malakesi Masefauto level the scores at the end of regulation time.
In the bonus period, Regan Ware stepped up to complete a 50m movement and clinch a 17-12 victory for the New Zealanders and celebrate his 50th match in style.
Earlier, Theo Forner's hat-trick helped France to an emphatic 33-17 triumph to seal their first win over New Zealand since 2019.
There were no such wobbles for Black Ferns Sevens, who finished the day unbeaten, as they look to defend their Australian title.
After a shaky start, the NZ women made light work of Japan in the second half, running in five tries in a 29-5 win, with Tyla King stamping her mark on her return from her rugby league sabbatical.
They faced a much sterner test against Ireland in their second fixture, with Jorga Miller scoring a brace of tries in a 21-14 win.
Placed third in Pool C, All Blacks Sevens face Fiji on Saturday for a place in the quarter-finals.
Black Ferns Sevens look all but assured of a place in the knockout stage. They'll play their final pool match against USA on Saturday.
