Defending Women's World Sevens Series champions New Zealand have finished a disappointing fifth at the opening tournament in Dubai.
Sarah Goss from NZ scores against the USA, Dubai 2017 Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand were beaten 14-12 by the USA in the quarter-finals.
The Americans scored a converted try in the dying seconds to win.
The Black Ferns Sevens hadn't lost a match since Sydney in January - ironically against USA - and hadn't failed to reach a Cup semi-final since Dubai in 2015.
Captain Sarah Goss says they'll learn from that defeat for future tournaments.
"I suppose you've got to keep getting better and better as other teams are improving and so we need to aswell."
The New Zealanders then went on to beat Spain and France in their play-off games.
Australia claimed the title after beating the USA 34-0 in the final.
Meanwhile the New Zealand men have started their Dubai ournament with three wins in pool play, beating Samoa 24-12, Argentina 21-19 and the USA 22-19... they'll play Kenya in the quarter-finals.
