All Blacks suffer rare sevens loss

Samoa stunned the defending champions New Zealand 19-17 to provide the biggest upset on the opening day of the Dubai Sevens yesterday.

New Zealand, who are attempting to win their fourth straight Dubai title, last lost in the final against Fiji four years ago.

The All Blacks stormed into what looked like a winning 17-5 lead mid-way through the second half of their Group A match, thanks to a pair of tries from Damien Karauna and one from Anthony Tuitavake. Samoa, who last beat their neighbours in the 2000 Wellington Sevens, hit back with late tries from Uale Mai and Ron Fanuatanu. David Lemi added the extra points.

"This is one of our best performances and shows that we have the confidence to beat any team in the world," the Samoan coach, Romeo Ah Chong, said.

Samoa now take on Wales in the first quarter-final, while New Zealand face England, who emerged unbeaten from Group B. England completed their group games with a 33-0 win over Wales, which followed earlier successes against Canada, 26-5, and the Arabian Gulf, 49-5.

Wales defeated Canada 24-12, then edged past the Arabian Gulf, a side made up of Western expatriates working in the region, 28-17. In another significant upset, Argentina beat Fiji 24-14. Fiji's Filimoni Delasau and Filimoni Bolavucu were sent off for illegal tackles. Tries from Lucas Borges (two), Martin Schusterman and Pablo Hamilton defeated Fiji who scored through Sireli Bobo and Nasoni Roko.

Argentina top Group C with nine points and face Australia in the quarter-finals, while Fiji, runners-up in the group, take on South Africa, the winners of Group D.

South Africa, runners-up in 2001, saw off Morocco 34-5 and Kenya 27-14 before defeating Australia 19-7. Australia defeated Kenya 24-12 and Morocco 26-5.

New Zealand began their Group A campaign with a 33-0 drubbing of France before beating Sri Lanka 66-0, thanks to some fine tries from Scott Waldron and Uloi Kinikinilau. Samoa had earlier defeated Sri Lanka 57-0 before edging out the French 14-8 with a last-minute try from Samu Eteuati.

Fiji had earlier struggled to defeat Namibia 31-24. Namibia rallied from a 17-0 deficit to lead 21-17, but Fiji clinched the victory courtesy of late tries from Nasnoni Roko and Ilimoni Delasau.

Fiji beat Italy 49-7 in their opening Group C match, while Argentina defeated Namibia 26-17 and Italy 38-7.