The New Zealand men’s sevens team remain on track for a medal at the Paris Olympics after two victories in their two opening matches but questions remain about the fitness of two key players Ngarohi McGarvey-Black and Regan Ware.
The pair appeared to suffer shoulder injuries in the hard-fought 17-5 win over South Africa at the Stade de France. McGarvey-Black was replaced but Ware stayed on for the remainder of the match as New Zealand had run out of reserves.
They will presumably be doubtful for New Zealand’s final pool game – against Ireland at 2.30am tomorrow NZT.
The All Blacks sevens, who won silver in Tokyo after losing the final to Fiji, have already qualified for the quarterfinals, although coming first in Pool A will give New Zealand an easier ride to the semifinals. The quarterfinals start at 7am tomorrow NZT.
Tomasi Cama’s men impressed with their pace in scoring six tries in a 40-12 win over Japan, but they took their physicality and ball handling to a new level against the Blitzboks.
Speedster Moses Leo was a standout in scoring two tries, including an important one in the second half to take the game away from South Africa, with Andrew Knewstubb impressing with his link play and ball handling.
The other New Zealanders to watch tomorrow are the Football Ferns, who take on defending champions Canada at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium near Lyon at 3am NZT.
The match between Canada, ranked eighth in the world, and New Zealand, ranked 28th, may have escaped the world’s attention but for the drone spy scandal, which has seen two members of the Canadian team’s staff sent home, one with a suspended prison sentence.
Athletes in action - Friday, July 26 (NZT)
2.30am
Men’s sevens: NZ v Ireland final pool match
(From) 7am
Men’s sevens: NZ quarterfinal (opponent TBC)
3am
Women’s football: NZ v Canada at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium (Lyon)
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