BlitzBoks & Fiji in quarterfinal decider
World Series leaders Fiji meet second-placed South Africa in what will be an enthralling Cup quarterfinal at the ninth and final round of the series in London.
With Ben Ryan's side winning all three of their pool matches, achieving a 100 percent record from their 27 pool matches this season, South Africa's defeat to the United States in front of a record crowd at Twickenham means the top two sides will battle it out on day two in the first quarterfinal.
A win for Fiji will guarantee them a second World Series title in 16 years and first since 2006.
"It will give us an outcome," the Fiji coach, Ryan, said.
"I'm pleased we've done the whole season unbeaten in the pool stages, that's a big achievement.
"We win tomorrow [Sunday] morning, we win the world title – simple as that.
"It's good to be in control of our own destiny.
"We are in a Cup final, anything after that is irrelevant really."
Third-placed New Zealand, Scotland and United States also maintained 100 percent records alongside Fiji – to set up matches with hosts England, Australia and Canada respectively on day two.
England's safe passage through to the last eight ensured they will finish fourth in the series and guaranteed Great Britain's qualification to the Olympic Games next year alongside hosts Brazil, South Africa, Fiji and New Zealand.
Last week's Glasgow champions Fiji had to come from 0-12 and 12-192 behind to record a narrow 24-19 victory over Argentina, thanks to two tries each from Samisoni Viriviri and Savenaca Rawaca in their opening match. Then a Semi Kunatani hat-trick secured a 26-12 win over Samoa. In their pool decider with Canada Amenoni Nasilasila also scored a hat-trick in a 31-14 win.
For South Africa Stephan Dippenaar's double helped the BlitzBoks to a 19-0 win against Portugal in the opening match of the London tournament, before the season's leading try scorer Seabelo Senatla scored twice to beat France 28-7. Their run was ended as United States maintained their 100 percent record adding a 21-12 victory over the BlitzBoks thanks to tries from Garrett Bender, Perry Baker and Carlin Isles to earlier 28-12 and 24-19 wins over Portugal and Les Bleus.
New Zealand's Rieko Ioane scored twice in New Zealand's 38-0 victory over Wales before they avoided a scare from Japan, winning 26-14 despite trailing 7-0 and 14-12. Japan, who failed to make the Cup quarterfinals in London, will be relegated from the series and replaced by Russia for the 2015/16 Series. In the defending series champion's third and final match Scott Curry scored twice in their 24-10 win over Australia.
Hosts England celebrated qualification to Rio with a 56-7 victory against Brazil with two tries from Dan Norton, who was appearing in his 50th World Series event on home soil. Earlier Marcus Watson scored twice in their 40-0 win over Kenya, before losing 19-22 to Scotland – thanks to a Damian Hoyland hat-trick. Colin Gregor earlier became the all-time leading capped player for Scotland in rugby sevens.
All the Day One results!
Pool A
(Fiji, Canada, Samoa, Argentina)
Results:
Fiji 24-19 Argentina
Canada 17-14 Samoa
Canada 26-5 Argentina
Fiji 26-12 Samoa
Argentina 10-19 Samoa
Fiji 31-14 Canada
Pool B
(Australia, New Zealand, Wales, Japan)
Results:
New Zealand 38-0 Wales
Australia 41-0 Japan
Australia 19-14 Wales
New Zealand 26-14 Japan
Wales 24-21 Japan
New Zealand 24-10 Australia
Pool C
(England, Scotland, Brazil, Kenya)
Results:
England 40-0 Kenya
Scotland 19-14 Brazil
Scotland 26-12 Kenya
England 56-7 Brazil
Kenya 19-14 Brazil
England 19-22 Scotland
Pool D
(South Africa, United States, France, Portugal)
Results:
United States 24-19 France
South Africa 19-0 Portugal
South Africa 28-7 France
United States 28-12 Portugal
France 26-19 Portugal
United States 21-12 South Africa
Congratulations to @TeamGB who qualify for @Rio2016 after @englandrugby beat Brazil at the #London7s! pic.twitter.com/h1yp3aqYCN
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) May 16, 2015
