Moses Leo has scored two tries, as the All Blacks Sevens booked a quarter-final spot at Singapore, with a 26-10 victory over Australia in poolplay.
The NZ men were in dire straits, after suffering a shock 33-5 defeat to world series leaders Argentina overnight, needed to topple the previously unbeaten Aussies to progress to the knockout rounds.
They dominated possession through the first half, running in tries to Fehi Fineanganofo and two to Leo for a 19-0 advantage. When Australia finally got their hands on the ball, the Kiwis were able to keep them out until the break.
The Aussies broke back after the restart with tries to Nathan Lawson and Henry Palmer, but a try to Dylan Collier in the closing seconds assured the win and second place in the pool.
Argentina qualified on top, courtesy of a bonus point in their loss to Australia, who also snuck through as the best of the third-placed teams.
New Zealand will face Pool C winners USA in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Michaela Blyde continues to track teammate Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, scoring a try double, as the Black Ferns Sevens complete a sweep of pool opponents, with a 31-7 win over Canada.
The NZ women dominated the first half, with Jorja Miller and captain Risi Pouri-Lane running in tries for a 12-0 advantage at the break. The blitz continued into the second stanza, with Blyde scoring a quickfire double, adding a conversion of her second try, before Mahina Paul completed the demolition.
Canada managed a consolation try in the closing moments.
Veteran Woodman-Wickliffe became the first woman to score 250 tries in the world sevens series on Friday (NZ time), but Blyde has now closed within nine, with four tries so far at the Singapore tournament.
In the knockout stages, New Zealand will now face Great Britain, who qualified as one of the best third-placed teams from poolplay.
All Blacks Sevens 26 (Leo 2, Fineanganofo, Collier tries; Cook Savage 3 conversions) Australia 10 (Lawson, Palmer tries)
Black Ferns Sevens 31 (Blyde 2, Miller, Pouri-Lane, Paul tries; Pouri-Lane 2 & Blyde conversion) Canada 7 (Logan try; Daniels conversion)
