6 Feb 2016

All Blacks Sevens start well in Sydney

8:10 pm on 6 February 2016

The New Zealand men's rugby sevens team have won both their opening pool games at the inaugural Sydney leg of the World Series.

The All Blacks Sevens thrashed Portugal 40-5 to go two from two in Sydney, after their opening 27-12 defeat of Canada.

The New Zealanders scored six tries to one against Portugal, with Regan Ware dotting down twice, and Akira Ioane, Rieko Ioane, Augustine Pulu and Ben Lam all crossing the line.

Regan Ware in action for New Zealand against Portugal in Dubai, December 2015. Photo by Reino Pieterse/SPORTDXB

Regan Ware in action for New Zealand against Portugal in Dubai Photo: Photosport

Aderito Esteves scored a consolation for the Portugese with time up to bring up his 100th try in his 58th World Series tournament.

Earlier, the All Blacks Sevens recovered from a slow start to run out easy 27-12 winners over Canada, scoring five tries to two.

Canada opened the scoring in a strong start before Joe Webber dummied one defender then ran around the last tackler to dot down for the New Zealanders.

New Zealand's Joe Webber scores during their match against Canada at the World Series in Tokyo in 2015. Copyright photo: Kenji Demura / www.photosport.co.nz

New Zealand's Joe Webber scores during their match against Canada at the World Series in Tokyo in 2015 Photo: Photosport

The Canadians took the lead again before half-time thanks to some sloppy New Zealand defence, but Webber struck back right before the hooter to level it up again.

The All Blacks Sevens hit the lead for the first time through a try out wide left to Akira Ioane after a good switch of play across the field from the right wing.

Captain Tim Mikkelson then dashed almost the full length of the field to score, after Canada coughed up a penalty at the breakdown.

Rieko Ioane rounded out the scoring with their fifth and final try, also from long range after the teenager completely bamboozled his marker.