New Zealand's sevens sides have opened the Los Angeles leg of the World Series with contrasting results, playing just once each on day one.
Following their silver medal in Vancouver last week, the All Blacks Sevens opened with a shock 24-17 loss to Australia.
Australia, who finished 10th in Vancouver, raced to a 12-0 lead early in the first half, after Andrew Knewstubb was sent to the sin-bin in the opening minute.
On his return, Knewstubb scored to keep the All Blacks Sevens in the contest, but a converted try to James Turner gave the Australians a 19-7 lead at halftime.
Cody Vai scored for New Zealand after the break to close the gap to 19-12, before Dietrich Roache extended Australia's lead with his side's fourth try.
Looking to hit back and stay in the contest, the All Blacks Sevens lost Fehi Fineanganofo to a red card, after a head clash, and saw New Zealand finish with six.
Xavier Tito-Harris scored New Zealand's third, but it was too little too late for the All Blacks Sevens, who face Samoa and hosts USA on day two in the hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.
Earlier, the Black Ferns Sevens had no such issues, and powered to an emphatic 41-5 victory over South Africa.
Doubles to Shiray Kaka and Kelsey Teneti, and further scores to Jorja Miller, Michaela Blyde and Mahina Paul saw New Zealand race out to a 41-0 lead, as South Africa managed a consolation effort through Ayanda Malinga.
Teneti was shown yellow in the final minute, but it was inconsequential for the Black Ferns Sevens, who will be odds-on to reach the last eight on Sunday, with matches against Brazil and Fiji before the quarter-finals.
The Black Ferns Sevens sit six points off the lead in the World Series, trailing leaders Australia after four completed tournaments.
