29 Mar 2015

All Blacks Sevens draw but make Hong Kong Cup round

9:54 am on 29 March 2015

The New Zealand men's rugby sevens side have beaten Australia 14-5 to top their pool in Hong Kong, despite a surprise 24-24 draw with Portugal.

Sir Gordon Tietjens lays down the law to his team

Sir Gordon Tietjens lays down the law to his team Photo: Photosport

The All Blacks Sevens' victory in their final pool game came thanks to two tries from 18-year-old Rieko Ioane, and the defending Hong Kong champions will play Argentina in the Cup quarter-finals on day three.

Australia face World Series leaders South Africa for a place in the semis. The Blitz Bokke and Fiji were the only sides to maintain 100 percent records during pool play. Fiji now play England.

The other Cup quarter sees USA play Samoa.

New Zealand thrashed Scotland 26-7 first up at the three-day tournament.

They currently lie second in the Sevens World Series standings behind South Africa.

The Hong Kong Sevens - which is celebrating its 40th edition this year - is the sixth of the nine tournaments in the series. The final meet is in London in May.