The New Zealand women's rugby sevens team has extended its unbeaten run in the World Series to 27 matches after going through pool play unbeaten in Dubai.
The Black Ferns Sevens beat Kenya 34-7, Russia 29-12 and then despite having two players sin-binned, they beat Ireland 24-17.
Black Ferns Sevens captain Sarah Goss Photo: © Copyright Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photosport Ltd 2018
They are now unbeaten in 36 global matches.
Captain Sarah Goss scored her 50th try in the win over Kenya, while world player of the year Michaela Blyde scored twice against ireland to take her series tally to 99.
Blyde was happy with how the first day went.
"We knew all the teams were going to come out firing today, we couldn't take any team lightly and we turned every game into a final."
"Ireland were very physical and brought it to us, so we're stoked with the win."
Blyde admits the two yellow cards against Ireland need to be addressed.
Michaela Blyde of New Zealand, evades a tackle, Women's Sevens Series, Dubai 2017. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"Our discipline is definitely something we need to tidy up, but we train for moments like that when we're down on players, so we're use to situations like that, it's about staying connected, but our discipline definitely needs to be tidied up a bit."
England sprung the surprise of the day beating defending champions Australia 26-12.
New Zealand will face Russia again in the quarter-finals, while England meet Australia again, the USA play France and Canada play Ireland.
New Zealand won the opening round of the World Series in Colorado last month.
