New Zealand took round one in the Commonwealth Games trans-Tasman team sports battle by pipping Australia 24-17 in a thrilling rugby sevens final on Tuesday.

The final showed it's not just the Wallabies who can't hold a lead against New Zealanders as the Kiwis came from 17-7 down to continue their remarkable unbeaten Games run.

With seven minutes left, New Zealand fought back into the decider with a try to exciting youngster Sherwin Stowers from an Australian turnover, before grabbing the lead thanks to captain DJ Forbes three minutes later.

Australia, who took their powerful rivals on physically, still had their chance to pull off a major upset when Nick Phipps burst through on halfway with 66 seconds left.

But he ignored support on his inside before throwing a late, misdirected off-load which was knocked on by Liam Gill.

It was a shame for Gill as he'd been a tower of strength at the breakdown throughout the gripping battle at Delhi University.

From the ensuing scrum Stowers made a sideline break and put Kurt Baker over to seal the match.

The result gave New Zealand their fourth gold medal from as many Games sevens tournaments dating back to 1998 in Kuala Lumpur and their unbeaten record in Games competition has stretched to 24 matches.

It also gives the Kiwis a 1-0 lead in a golden three-round battle as trans-Tasman finals clashes follow in the women's hockey on Wednesday and the netball on Thursday.

Michael O'Connor's outfit eclipsed the nation's best previous effort, a bronze in 1998 when David Campese was captain, but it was little consolation for the Australians.

They led 10-7 at halftime after Queensland Reds flyer Luke Morahan scythed through just before the break and kicked ahead to beat Toby Arnold in the race to the ball.

Australia stretched the lead to seven after half-time when James Stannard finished a scintillating counter-attacking try from a turnover.

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