They now face Brazil in the quarter-finals at 6:30pm Sunday (NZ time), while archrivals Australia take on United States, Fiji against France and Ireland against Canada. 

Meanwhile, the All Blacks Sevens – also defending their world series title – weren’t so fortunate, suffering a 21-19 loss to South Africa to close out their pool account.

They needed last-gasp tries against both Canada and Samoa to take out their opening games, but began strongly against the Blitz Boks, leading 19-7 at halftime, through tries from Tepaea Cook-Savage, Ngarohi McGarvey-Black and Moses Leo.

South Africa kept them scoreless through the second half, and took victory with tries to Ronald Brown and Msande Mtshali.

The result leaves the NZ men a last-eight showdown against United States at 8:42pm Sunday, with South Africa up against Australia, Fiji facing Ireland and Samoa taking on Argentina.

Black Ferns Sevens 29 (Waaka 2, Flex-Hotham, Saili & Paul tries; Pouri-Lane 2 conversions) Fiji 21 (Buleki, Ulunisau & Moceisawana tries; Naimasi 2 & Cavuru conversions) 

All Blacks Sevens 14 (Curry & Rush tries; Rokolisoa & Cook-Savage conversions) Samoa 12 (Niuula & Masefu tries; Canlan conversion)

South Africa 21 (Nortje, Brown & Mtshali tries; Brosn 2 & Geduld conversions) All Blacks Sevens 19 (Cook-Savage, McGarvey-Black & Leo tries; Cook-Savage 2 conversions)