Scots test NZ early
Emma Stoney
in Wellington
A DJ Forbes hat-trick helped New Zealand to a 29-7 win against Scotland in their opening game of the Wellington Sevens.
The defending Wellington champions, and joint leaders of the HSBC Sevens World Series, found themselves 0-7 down at half-time after Andrew Turnbull's early converted try for the Scots.
Turnbull dotted down in the corner as Toby Arnold lay injured at the other end of the field. Arnold was eventually able to limp from the field with a suspected knee injury.
But a solo effort from Frank Halai, who showed all his power and pace to get past the rugged Scottish defence, sparked the comeback at Westpac Stadium.
The win was sealed when veteran captain Forbes crossed three times in quick succession before debutant Ardie Savea touched for the final try.
In day one's other early matches there were also comfortable wins for crowd favourites Kenya, South Africa, England and Fiji against Australia (35-10), the United States (21-0), Cook Island (27-12) and Argentina (31-0), respectively. Canada had a surprise 19-14 win over France.