2022/2023 HSBC Rugby 7s Series champion New Zealand had a shaky start to their Perth 7s campaign after going down 33-15 to France in their first pool match.
New Zealand managed to score three tries, while the French side crossed over the try line 5 times.
France Theo Forner scored a hattrick to give his side a 19-5 lead at halftime.
The All Blacks 7s side needed to win against Samoa to keep them in contention for the cup quarter finals.
New Zealand were second-best in possession and territory in the first half but managed to score with their first incursion into the Samoan half when Leroy Carter finished off a brilliant handling move.
Carter put New Zealand’s all-time SVNS record appearance holder Tim Mikkelson in for his second of the day, and it looked as though the winning line was in sight despite a high penalty count going against them.
However, Samoa finally found a clinical edge with Paul Scanlan’s probing runs in attack leading to tries from Uaina Tui Sione and Malakesi Masefau.
With the sides locked together at 12-all, the match went into extra-time, and it took all five minutes of the first half for New Zealand to get the win, Regan Ware marking his 50th tournament appearance by running in the crucial score from halfway.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Airways Men's National 7s side leads Pool C with 6 points, France is second with 4 points, New Zealand is third with 3 points, and Samoa is on 2 points.
The Perth 7s men's competition will kick off today with Canada playing Spain at 4.16pm, then followed by Argentina taking on South Africa at 4.38pm, France will meet Samoa at 5.02pm, and Fiji will play New Zealand at 5.25pm.
