The All Blacks Sevens have picked up where they left off their triumph in Sydney a month agogiving it two wins out of two and sealing their spot in the quarterfinals at the Los Angeles World Series event on Sunday (NZ time).
But there was a touch of Hollywood drama between those wins – 26-7 over Chile and 36-15 over the United States – for the Kiwis, with the opening day of the tournament delayed nearly two hours due to thunder and lightning. lightning.
Already with a soggy pitch making for a testing time in the California sun, it came to a halt towards the end of the ninth game, between Great Britain and Spain, with play stopped due to a major storm.
Groundstaff worked to clear the Dignity Health Sports Park field, though it still resembled a waterslide of sorts, with spectacular splashes, when play resumed.
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New Zealand had previously fought their way to their opening win over Chile – one of four non-core teams on the circuit and appearing in their first tournament since 2021 – and had a chance to knock out the hosts, who were down 26-19 were defeated by Samoa, who had not won a tournament since Las Vegas in March 2019.
And when Moses Leo made a big break on the field and Brady Rush slid into the right corner after just 30 seconds, the men in black certainly meant it.
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Moses Leo ducks in for a try against the United States on the waterlogged field in Los Angeles.
As the United States struck back minutes later, a double by Dylan Collier – entering his 50th World Series tournament – followed by a fine finish by Akuila Rokolisoa put New Zealand in full control at half-time, with a rise from 24-5.
The home side desperately needed to score first after the break and indeed they did, thanks to a brilliant effort from long range by Malacchi Esdale, but it was as close as they came, with the All Blacks Sevens flexing their muscles and their skill in the tricky conditions as Leo and Joe Webber also worked their way across the line.
New Zealand completes the day against Samoa (3.20pm NZT), in a game that will decide first place in Pool A.
The series leaders aim to be the first side to claim multiple titles this season, with the LA stage sixth on the calendar, and Australia, South Africa, Samoa and Argentina have all tasted success too.