France stunned New Zealand on day one of the Singapore Sevens while there were also losses for Fiji and Australia.
Jeremy Aicardi scored a brace to help guide them to a 24-0 win as Les Bleus gained revenge for the 19-17 defeat they were handed by New Zealand on Hong Kong. But in Singapore, France were in control as New Zealand struggled to find their momentum, were starved of possession and showed defensive frailties.
France were the star performers on the first day of the Singapore Sevens and progressed to Sunday’s quarterfinals thanks to other victories over the United States and Canada to tee up a fixture against Kenya. Despite falling to France, New Zealand are in the final eight where they will face off against South Africa.
The Blitzboks, like France, were undefeated on day one having claimed victories in the pool stage over Russia, Scotland and Kenya with the latter two failing to score any points.
Fiji and Australia will play each other in the first quarterfinal on Sunday, having recovered from their respective opening defeats by Samoa and Argentina, while those victors meet in the other quarterfinal.
Samoa booked a spot in the final eight at the expense of England who had an inferior points difference. England went into the final match of the day, against Fiji, having defeated Portugal and Samoa, but they slumped to a 26-12 defeat that consigned them to a Bowl quarterfinal against Wales.
