Solid opening day for New Zealand sides at Sydney Sevens

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France gave the Black Ferns Sevens a sharp reminder of their need to focus from the outset in their second pool game of the HSBC World Series Sevens in Sydney on Friday evening.

France scored first when Ian Jason scored in the second minute, the first of her two tries.

But New Zealand immediately took control. Stacey Fluhler scored the first in response and then Jazmin Felix-Hotham and Jorja Miller scored to give the Black Ferns a 19-7 halftime advantage.

Fluhler scored again to open the second half while Portia Woodman-Wickliffe scored the final try in the 29-14 win.

Earlier, they beat Papua New Guinea 48-0 as Theresa Fitzpatrick scored the first try with Tyla Nathan-Wong (2), Felix-Hotham, Miller, Shiray Kaka, Woodman-Wickliffe and Michaela Blyde all scoring.

New Zealand complete their pool against Japan at 3.12pm on Saturday.

The All Blacks Sevens had a comfortable start, beating Uruguay 45-7.

Che Clarke opened the scoring in the first minute but it became a progression with Payton Spencer scoring in the third and 14th minutes while Sam Dickson, Leroy Carter, Brady Rush and Akuila Rokolisoa all crossing for tries.

New Zealand plays Kenya at 12.06pm on Saturday with the final pool game against South Africa at 5.49pm.

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