New Zealand set up a semi-final clash against England with a four-try, 22-7 win over France in the quarter-finals at the Wellington rugby sevens on Saturday.
After a slow start, and in a drenching drizzle, the New Zealanders upped the tempo and increasingly controlled possession and territory.
France had caught New Zealand napping at the kick-off, Jean Baptiste Mazoue unbeatable in the air and offloading for Renaud Delmas to cross after 15 seconds.
Terry Bouhraoua added the extras for an early 7-0 lead, but New Zealand replied in kind almost immediately, levelling the scores from the kick-off as Tim Mikkelson proved too fast and strong out wide for the sluggish French defence.
Tries to Charles Piutau and All Blacks winger Hosea Gear in the last two minutes of the spell gave New Zealand a 17-7 at the break.
An increasingly ill-disciplined French side managed to contain New Zealand until the last 90 seconds, when Frank Halai snaked out a long arm to touch down after France were left a man short following Paul Abaldejo's yellow card.
The New Zealanders were unbeaten in pool play on Friday, and will be looking to repeat a dominant 29-14 win over England in last year's Wellington final.
The English cantered to a 26-7 win over Tonga in their quarter-final, recovering impressively from a 24-14 loss to Samoa in pool play on Friday.
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