Olympics: Day one Rio action while you were sleeping

3:12 pm on 7 August 2016

Rio 2016 Olympics - New Zealand's champion rowers battled through rough conditions on the water in Rio, with all but one crew winning their heats, on a mixed day for the Kiwis.

Hamish Bond and Eric Murray compete at the Rio Olympics.

Hamish Bond and Eric Murray compete at the Rio Olympics. Photo: Photosport

Champion sculler Mahe Drysdale, defending his Olympic gold, easily finished first in his heat, the pairs powerhouse of Hamish Bond and Eric Murray cruised to the finish line, while Emma Twigg also made easy work of her heat leading all the way at Lagoa.

In the double sculls, the world champion pair of Eve McFarlane and Zoe Stephenson recovered from a terrible start to cross the line first, while the men's pair, Chris Harris and Robbie Mason, won narrowly.

The men's lightweight four cleaned up in their heat, while the men's quad came fourth in theirs and now go to a repechage.

Elsewhere, the women's rugby sevens team have got their Olympic campaign off to a dream start, with two convincing wins from their first two pool matches.

New Zealand's players celebrate their victory in the women’s rugby sevens match between New Zealand and Spain during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Deodoro Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 6, 2016.

New Zealand celebrates their win over Spain at the Rio Olympics Photo: AFP

The New Zealanders thumped Kenya 52-0 in the first game, and followed it up with a 31-5 win over Spain in the second.

They will play France - who also won their first two pool games - on Monday morning.

Kayla McAlister crosses the line for the New Zealand women's Sevens team at the Rio Olympics.

Kayla McAlister crosses the line for the New Zealand women's Sevens team at the Rio Olympics. Photo: Philippe Lopez / AFP

In the football, the New Zealand women's team have beaten Colombia 1-0 in their second group match, but lost their captain to a controversial red card.

Striker Amber Hearn scored the only goal in the 31st minute, but the New Zealand lead looked in doubt in the 88th minute when captain Abby Erceg was given a red card after an innocuous tangle with a Colombian player.

The Football Ferns captain Abby Erceg controls the ball vs Colombia at the Rio Olympics.

The Football Ferns captain Abby Erceg controls the ball vs Colombia at the Rio Olympics. Photo: Photosport

New Zealand Football said the team is exploring its options with regard to the possibility of appealing Erceg's red card, but if it stands, she will miss the Football Ferns' final group match against France on Wednesday morning (NZ time).

Equestrian Sir Mark Todd is in seventh place after the first day of dressage in the three day eventing.

Sir Mark Todd on Leonidas II during the Equestrian competition Eventing's Dressage phase at the Rio Olympics.

Sir Mark Todd on Leonidas II during the Equestrian competition Eventing's Dressage phase at the Rio Olympics. Photo: John MacDougall / AFP

William Fox Pitt of Great Britain leads while defending champion Michael Jung of Germany is third.

The other New Zealander to compete on day one, Tim Price is 13th equal.

In the teams competition New Zealand is currently fifth.

Clarke Johnstone and Jonelle Price ride tomorrow.

In the pool, Glenn Snyders did well to qualify for the semi-finals of the 100m breaststroke, but eventually finished seventh and 15th overall to miss the final.

The semi-finals are this afternoon.

The New Zealand men's hockey team has been beaten 2-1 by world number one Australia in their opening game.

Australia led 2-0 at half time with Hugo Inglis getting one back just after the break. New Zealand scored again but the goal was disallowed.

Australia's Mark Knowles and New Zealand's Hayden Phillips and Simon Child vie during the men's hockey match at the Rio Olympics.

Australia's Mark Knowles and New Zealand's Hayden Phillips and Simon Child vie during the men's hockey match at the Rio Olympics. Photo: Carl de Souza / AFP

The Black Sticks' next game is against Great Britain tomorrow.

The New Zealand cyclist George Bennett has finished 33rd in the men's road race.

Bennett was almost 12 minutes behind winner Greg van Avermaet of Belgium.

New Zealand's other rider Zac Williams did not finish.

And the artistic gymnast Misha Koudinov is well down the field in the men's competition and won't get past qualifcation for the all around event.