BlitzBokke faultless in the desert

 

Albertus Smith scored the all-important try against Wales in their final pool encounter to clinch the match 12-5 and enabled South Africa to finish the day unbeaten and on top of their group.

 

Scotland joined the top seeds in the Cup quarter finals at the end of an enthralling day one, having beaten Gold Coast runners-up Samoa in their opening pool match 21-14 their 42-0 win over Japan ensured they reached last eight for the first time since Glasgow and will play Australia who beat England in the final match of the day 12-5 thanks to tries from Pama Fou and Allan Fa'alava'au.

 

Defending Dubai champions and current series leaders Fiji impressed to top their pool by beating France, Brazil and Argentina, maintaining a 100 percent record alongside South Africa, Australia and New Zealand and will face Wales on day two in search of back-to-back victories.

 

The All Blacks Sevens were back to their scintilating best, beating Japan, Scotland and Samoa and conceding no points in the process to set up a repeat of the Gold Coast quarter final, which they lost, with England while Neil Powell's BlitzBokke await Argentina with all-important Series points available on day two as the road to Rio continues.

 

In the Bowl France will play Canada, USA meet Japan, Portugal await Brazil and Samoa will look to avoid further disappointment against Kenya.

 

Fiji v Wales

Australia v Scotland

South Africa v Argentina

New Zealand v England

 

France v Canada

USA v Japan

Portugal v Brazil

Samoa v Kenya

 

 

 

Defending champions Fiji finished with bragging rights after winning their top of the pool clash with Argentina 33-21.

 

With the score locked at 7-7 after four minutes Fiji took the lead through a brilliant individual try from Savenaca Rawaca, he followed up with a neat offload for teammate Jasa Veremalua to score. 

 

Argentina's Fernando Luna closed the gap to 19-14 with a try on half time.

 

Argentina were first to score after the break through Patricio Fernandez to lead 21-19 before Semi Kunatani scored his second and Osea Kolinisau crossed to put the result beyond doubt for Fiji.

 

Earlier in the day, Ben Ryan's side and Los Pumas secured their places in the quarterfinals after both recorded back-to-back wins against France and Brazil.

 

Brazil, host nation of the 2016 Olympics, had earlier opened their campaign with some enterprising play against Argentina, Moises Duque posting a second half try for Brazil before going down 5-17.

 

Argentina raced to a 19-0 lead against France before Les Blues mounted a late charge to lead 21-19 with seconds to go before Argentina crossed for a converted try to snatch the victory.

 

France finished their pool commitments with a 24-14 win over Brazil, Julien Candelon scoring twice in the win and both teams will now compete in the Bowl on day two.

 

Fiji 54-7 France

Argentina 17-5 Brazil 

Fiji 36-5 Brazil

Argentina 26-21 France

France 24-12 Brazil

Fiji 33-21 Argentina

 

 

New Zealand booked their place in the Cup quarters with a convincing 41-0 win over Samoa in their final pool match, adding to earlier wins over Japan and Scotland.

 

Tim Mikkelson bagged a double for the All Blacks Sevens who also kept their try line intact on day one, a feat that will no doubt please coach Gordon Tietjens.

 

The Scots secured second spot in the pool scoring seven tries in their 47-0 win over Japan. Colin Gregor, James Eddie, Scott Wight and James Johnstone scored first half tries to give their side the early momentum.

 

Earlier in the day, Scotland came from 14-0 down early to put their hand up for a top eight berth with a controlled performance in their seven point win over Samoa, Mark Robertson impressing with every touch in his sides opening pool B match but were no match for New Zealand second up going down 0-43.

 

Defending series champions New Zealand had earlier erased the memory of their fith place finish at the Gold Coast Sevens with a 36-0 win over Japan, Tim Mikkelson picking up a hat-trick and scoring his 150th career try.

 

Samoa 14-21 Scotland 

New Zealand 36-0 Japan

Samoa 38-12 Japan 

New Zealand 43-0 Scotland 

Scotland 47-0 Japan 

Samoa 0-41 New Zealand

 

 

Australia defeated England 12-5 in the final match of the day, with both sides already qualified for the Cup quarter finals.

 

Both needed to bring their A-game to avoid a meeting with defending series champions New Zealand in the final eight but it was England who await the defending series champions despite leading 5-0 thanks to Dan Norton's try.

 

A clever cross field kick from Lewis Holland found the arms of Pama Fou who crossed in the corner to level the score 5-all at half time before Australia crossed again just after halftime through Allan Fa'alava'au to lead by seven.

 

Earlier, a double to Cameron Clark set Australia up with a 17-7 first half lead before going on to win 29-12. A follow up 26-10 win over the USA gave Australia coach Geraint John a perfect start to the tournament and booked their place in the Cup quarters with one match to spare.

 

England impressed in a 38-0 win over Kenya after earlier accounting for the USA. Mike Friday's USA opened the scoring in the first pool match with Simon Amor's side but England bounced back with three tries of their own for a 19-5 lead at the break.A try on full time by USA speedster Carlin Isles reduced the final margin to nine.

 

Isles scored a double in the USA's 26-17 win over Kenya in their final pool game, while Zack Test continued to impress before limping off the field late in the game. Both sides will contest the Bowl competition on day two.

 

England 19-10 USA 

Australia 29-12 Kenya 

England 38-0 Kenya 

Australia 26-10 USA

England 5-12 Australia 

USA 26-17 Kenya

 

 

South Africa advanced to the Cup quarters with a 12-5 win over Wales after leading 7-5 at the break. Wales' Will Harries and South Africa's Werner Kok traded five pointers in the first half before Albertus Smith extended his side's lead early in the second half. Despite the loss, Wales will also feature in the final eight. 

 

South Africa coach Neil Powell asked for consistency and his side delivered by winning all three matches adding their win over Wales to earlier wins.

 

A 36-0 first up win over Portugal was secured thanks to a hat-trick from Werner Kok, followed by a strong 24-12 defeat of Canada to sit atop of the pool.

 

Meanwhile, Wales reversed their earlier 14-19 loss over Canada with a 26-21 win over a fast finishing Portugal.

 

A neat kick and chase try from Portugal's Nuno Guedes was followed up with a five pointer from Bernardo Cardoso to secure their side's first win of the tournament, 26-7 over Canada. 

 

These two teams will now feature in the Bowl

 

South Africa 36-0 Portugal 

Wales 14-19 Canada 

South Africa 24-12 Canada 

Wales 26-21 Portugal 

Portugal 26-7 Canada 

South Africa 12-5 Wales