HSBC Sevens World Series
Dramatic draw rounds out thrilling day at Sydney 7s
Sam Bruce at Allianz Stadium
February 6, 2016
© Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

SYDNEY -- Australia will face England in the HSBC Sevens World Series Sydney 7s Cup quarterfinals after the tournament hosts drew 17-all with New Zealand in a dramatic finale to day one.

Ardie Savea touched down after the full-time hooter to secure the All Blacks Sevens the draw, and top spot in Pool A, after the two sides had played out a pulsating 14 minutes of sevens rugby.

Rising star Rieko Ioane got New Zealand off to the ideal when he found his way to the corner after little more than a minute of play.

But the Aussies hit back almost immediately through Ed Jenkins, the skipper having just enough pace to finish off the good work of Lewis Holland and Greg Jeloudev.

Holland soon had a five-pointer of his own after he managed to ground the ball amid a try-line scramble and the news just got better for Australia as James Stannard then crossed to give the hosts a 17-5 half-time lead.

New Zealand looked certain to be the first team on the scoreboard after the break but Rieko Ioane was unable to execute the final pass to his brother, Akira, following a devastating in-field run from the kick-off.

© Matt King/Getty Images

Sonny Bill Williams takes a breath, New Zealand v Portugal, HSBC Sevens World Series, Sydney 72, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, February 6, 2016
Sonny Bill Williams' 7s education continues © Getty Images
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They wouldn't have to wait long for the five-pointer to come however as Augustine Pulu touched down from close range, reducing the gap to seven points.

Australia looked to have done enough as the clock wound down before New Zealand skipper Tim Mikkelson made a break down the right-hand touchline and found Savea on his inside.

Australia coach Andy Friend said his troops were disappointed to come away with the draw after jumping out of the blocks against the New Zealanders.

"With a quality team like New Zealand you have to play right until the 14th minute otherwise they'll get you," friend said. "Credit to them they are a good football side and that's why they have been world champions."

Australia captain Ed Jenkins echoed the sentiment of his new coach after letting New Zealand off the hook in the final Pool A clash.

"For us to come that close, we probably should've shut them out at the end of the game a bit disappointing. But we can look at it the way we didn't lose a game today so going into tomorrow we should have a lot of confidence in that quarterfinal against England. We built on each performance going through the day, moving in the right direction. It's going to be a big first up game tomorrow morning. We're going to rest up and stick close and try and do a job on England tomorrow."

Australia had been largely patchy earlier in the day despite victories over Portugal (24-7) and Canada (26-12) but they will head into Sunday's Cup play-offs knowing they can mix it with the best.

New Zealand's quest for back-to-back tournament wins will continue against the United States on Sunday, with the All Blacks recording earlier victories Saturday over Canada (27-12) and Portugal (40-5).

Gordon Tietjens' side made a sluggish start in their opening match against Canada before they clicked into gear against Portugal, the Ioane brothers, in particular, having an impact on each of the encounters.

But it's Fiji and South Africa who appear to be the teams to beat after they each won all three of their matches on day one.

The Pacific Islanders, playing in front of a large contingent of Fijian fans among the 36,218-strong crowd, hammered Samoa 31-0 and France 49-5 before holding off Argentina 19-14 to advance to a quarter-final with Kenya.

The Blitzboks were equally impressive, disposing of Samoa 33-7, Russia 40-0 and Kenya 26-19 to earn themselves a Cup contest with Argentina whom they beat in the final of the Cape Town leg late last year.

Henry Hutchison was in the thick of things when Australia beat Canada © Getty Images
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South Africa did suffer a couple of setbacks however with Philip Snyman and Kwagga Smith succumbing to injury, meaning the current World Series leaders will have to survive Sunday's matches with just 10 fit players.

Fortunately for the Blitzboks, Seabelo Senatla was again in devastating form - the competition's leading try-scorer adding another six five-pointers to his season tally.

England were the other undefeated team on day one, Simon Amor's side accounting for Japan, Wales and the United States despite injury troubles of their own.

The Eagles were ultimately left to rue a crucial error from Perry Baker in their clash with England, the speedster blowing a five-pointer when he stepped on the dead-ball line in the first half.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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