It appears New Zealand's sevens side has managed to sneak an eighth player onto the field during the heart-stopping final passage of play which saw them score a try after full-time to level the scores.
With possession of the ball in their own half and trailing by seven points, Gordon Tietjens' side decided to go right and managed to zigzag their way through Australia's scrambling defence who were unable to stop the final five-pointer.
However, footage has emerged of what appears to be eight New Zealanders on the field while attacking Australia's line moments before Ardie Savea sunk the hearts of the locals who had to settle with a 17-all draw.
Australia are set to play England in the quarterfinals on Sunday, but World Rugby officials may ask for a please explain from the New Zealanders whose schoolboy error could potentially see them lose all points for the match.
With eight players on the field, more than half of the New Zealand side touched the ball in the ensuing play which lead to a try.
If points were stripped from the draw, Australia would top Pool A and take on the USA instead, with New Zealand taking on England.
It is unclear at this stage whether or not New Zealand's slip-up will affect the bearing of upcoming matches.
New Zealand defeated Canada 27-12 and Portugal 40-5 in their earlier pool matches.
Earlier, Australia mustered their best performance of the inaugural world sevens tournament in Sydney after racing to a 17-5 lead at halftime.
It took just 38 seconds for New Zealand to take the lead as Rieko Ioane made a break down the left side. Greg Jeloudev thought he had extra cover, but the speed of Ioane was too much for him.
Aussie skipper Ed Jenkins hit back in style, making a similar run down the opposite flank and but James Stannard's missed conversion meant the scores remained level at a try apiece.
After some audacious ball movement from wing to wing by the Aussies, Stannard produced a Johnathan Thurston-like dummy before crashing over to put Australia ahead 17-5 at the main break.
Andy Friend looked a measured man at halftime, knowing the job was not completely done, but somewhat satisfied his players had orchestrated their best seven minutes of the tournament.
Australia and New Zealand both chalked up two wins each and finish equal on points at the conclusion of three games. New Zealand finished above them on for-and-against.
Australia captain Ed Jenkins admitted the draw was somewhat "bittersweet" but said his side would be making sure they were ready for England come 12.19pm on Sunday.
"Either way we have to win that first game tomorrow morning so it doesn't matter," Jenkins said.
"We've made that mistake before where we haven't turned up and we've been done and dusted and then you're playing for the plate, so we want to go all the way and that means winning that first up game.
"They [New Zealand] took it out last week and for us to come that close we probably should have shut them out at the end of the game.
"A bit disappointing, but we can look at the way that we didn't lose a game today."
- Sydney Morning Herald
