Black Fern Sevens have begun the new world sevens campaign in style with a convincing 33-5 pool win over Brazil at Dubai.
Kelsey Teneti needed only 46 seconds to put the NZ women on the board with a try and the Kiwis kept the South Americans pinned near their own goal-line, with skipper Sarah Hirini powering over beside the posts.
Hirini tore knee ligaments at this tournament last year and had to battle through a painful rehab to take her place at the Paris Olympics, where her team repeated their gold medal from Tokyo 2020.
Theresa Setefano and Jazmin Felix-Hotham also crossed for tries before halftime, as the Ferns led 26-0 at the break.
Brazil finally reached the NZ half from the second-half kickoff, but from a turnover, Felix-Hotham had her second try of the match.
With veterans Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Tyla King retired from the sevens programme, and others taking a well-earned break, the Ferns featured several new faces, still finding their feet at this level.
In the final seconds, the Brazilians managed a consolation try to Thalita da Silva Costa, but the result was never in doubt.
Elsewhere in the same pool, Japan upset Olympic silver medallists Canada 40-5 and face the Kiwis later Saturday (NZT).
Meanwhile, the All Blacks Sevens were also off to a winning start against USA, despite the loss of retiring veterans, Super Rugby Pacific defections and Moses Leo's switch to rugby league.
Tries to Joe Webber and Ngarohi McGarvey-Black had the NZ men ahead 14-0 up at halftime, with McGarvey-Black denied a second by a forward pass.
Tone Ng Shiu quickly added to the advantage, as the second half began, but the Americans struck next, when Peter Vi ran the length of the field.
McGarvey-Black would not be denied a second, when he broke from his own half, but Brady Rush was yellow-carded for offside and Porter Goodrum took full advantage to score for the United States.
"Pretty stoked with that," reflected McGarvey-Black. "Our pre-season block, we were talking about this game and just smashing the first one.
"I just want to be consistent, I've had a lot of injuries that have put me on the sideline last year."
The All Blacks Sevens face Spain later Saturday.
Black Ferns Sevens 33 (Felix-Hotham 2, Teneti, Hirini & Setefano tries; Pouri-Lane 3 conversions, Felix-Hotham conversion) Brazil 5 (Costa try)
All Blacks Sevens 28 (McGarvey-Black 2, Webber, Ng Shiu tries; McGarvey-Black 2 conversions, Webber conversion) USA 12 (Vi & Goodrum tries; Vi conversion)
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