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Agence France-Presse

The United States hammered home their growing reputation with a stunning 14-12 win over New Zealand at the Dubai Sevens on Friday.
The USA had clinched the 2014-15 season-ending London Sevens title in May, beating South Africa, England and Australia in the process.
On Friday, they proved that was no fluke with a rollercoaster struggle through pool C.
After beating Portugal 45-14 but losing to France 26-21, the Americans looked destined for the consolation round when they trailed New Zealand 12-7 as the buzzer sounded.
But Perry Baker then scored his second try of the match in the corner to draw the scores level before captain Madison Hughes stepped up to slot over the conversion.
WATCH: USA stun New Zealand at Dubai Sevens

That knocked out France and gave the USA a Cup quarter-final date on Saturday against defending Dubai champions South Africa.
New Zealand topped the pool and will face Samoa.
The other quarter-finals will see defending world champions Fiji take on Australia while England tackle Argentina.
Fiji got off to a flying start with nine tries scored by nine different players in a 63-14 rout of Canada before beating Japan 21-17 and Argentina 28-0.
“We scored 16 tries today and every single one was converted, which is awesome,” Fiji coach Ben Ryan told gulfnews.com.
“We scored a lot of points and our defence on the whole was OK, with a couple of soft tries conceded. We haven’t fully revealed our hand as yet. We haven’t played at full throttle and we’re going to need to [on Saturday].”South Africa also won all of their three matches with world sevens player of the year Werner Kok scoring two tries in their opening 33-7 win over Samoa.
Last year's leading try-scorer Seabelo Senatla also impressed, ending the day with six tries in the Blitzboks' victories over Russia, Samoa and Scotland.
England also enjoyed a 100-per cent record, sealed by a 21-5 victory over Australia in the final game of the day.
In the women's event, Australia beat Russia 33-12.
“That was an epic final and to play in front of such a crowd in Dubai was absolutely sensational,” said Australian captain Shannon Parry as she looked forward to the Olympic Games debut for rugby sevens in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
“We’ve put a lot of hard work into pre-season and I was really proud of our performance. I'm looking forward to the next round and then onwards towards Rio.”


Fiji’s sevens players return home to a heroes welcome after landing country’s first Olympic gold

Hong Kong Sevens champions Fiji complete Rio rout of Great Britain to claim historic first Olympic gold

Favourites Fiji to face Japan in Olympic sevens semis while South Africa meet confident Team GB

Turning point for rugby sevens – US ready for Olympics-inspired revolution

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2015-16

USA stun New Zealand on day one of Dubai Sevens

Sam Dickson of the All Blacks Sevens gets upended as he fights for the ball with USA player Garrett Bender during their pool game on the first day of the Dubai Sevens. The American won the match 14-12. Photos: AFP

USA players celebrate after beating New Zealand 14-12 in a pool game at the Duabai Sevens, the opening tournament on the 10-leg 2015-16 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Folau Niua of the USA tackles New Zealand’s Scott Curry in Dubai.

World sevens champions Fiji look for Olympic boost as they kick off title defence

No Caption Available.

***FOR NON-COMMERCIAL USE ONLY*** This picture shows (L to R) Fiji's #11 Savenaca Rawaca and #2 Semi Kunatani during cup final of the 2015 Rugby Sevens tournament in Hong Kong. 29MAR15

FILE - In this Nov. 7, 2013 file photo, Fiji rugby Sevens coach Ben Ryan speaks to his squad in Pacific Harbour, Fiji.The world champion Fiji sevens rugby team has been praised after stepping in to assist cabin crew during a medical emergency on a flight from Fiji to Brisbane on Thursday, Nov. 26, 2015. When an elderly female passenger was taken ill, England-born team coach Ryan and team doctor Emosi Taloga immediately provided medical assistance. (AP Photo/Nick Perry, File)

Josaia Raisuqe (C) and Pio Tuwai (R) of Fiji celebrate in Hong Kon in March. Photo: SCMP

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The United States hammered home their growing reputation with a stunning 14-12 win over New Zealand at the Dubai Sevens on Friday.


USA stun New Zealand on day one of Dubai Sevens

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The United States hammered home their growing reputation with a stunning 14-12 win over New Zealand at the Dubai Sevens on Friday.

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}WATCH: USA stun New Zealand at Dubai Sevens

The United States hammered home their growing reputation with a stunning 14-12 win over New Zealand at the Dubai Sevens on Friday.

WATCH: USA stun New Zealand at Dubai Sevens