Sevens: Penalty try costs NZ quarter-final victory in London

The All Blacks Sevens have continued their worrying trend of quarter-final exits from world series tournaments, bowing 19-14 to France in London on Monday (NZT).

Leading 14-0 at halftime, New Zealand were still ahead 14-12 with time up on the clock, but conceded a costly penalty try after the siren.

The French looked certain to score down the left, when defender Joe Webber deliberately knocked the final pass away and received a yellow card.

The Kiwis bounced back, toppling South Africa 21-17 and Ireland 35-14 to finish fifth at the event, consolidating their spot at the Tokyo Olympics next year.

"Obviously, we had a frustrating performance against France," said captain Scott Curry. "It seems like we can't win a quarter-final at the moment, so we've got to have a really good look at how we prepare for those games and get it right for next week.

"It starts with the individual, so how are you individually preparing? How are we preparing as a group as well?"

Curry admitted there were tired bodies in the NZ camp, as the team move on to Paris next week, for the final tournament of the series.

New Zealand currently sit third on the overall standings, but well behind leaders Fiji and second-placed USA. The Americans can still win the title with victory in France.

Newshub.