NZ downs Fiji; SA too much for Aus
Defending World Series champions New Zealand put down a marker by beating Fiji to finish unbeaten on day one of the Gold Coast Sevens.
Former Series winners Samoa and South Africa and reigning Rugby World Cup Sevens champions Wales also maintained 100 percent records on the opening day of the Sevens World Series to secure favourable draws in day two’s Cup quarterfinals.
Wales won an impressive victory against England; South Africa edged hosts Australia and in beating Argentina, Samoa also sent France through to the last eight, along with England, Australia and Fiji.
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Pool A:
(New Zealand, Fiji, Kenya, Niue)
Defending World Series champions New Zealand got off to a strong start in this year’s Series, beating Kenya 26-5, Niue 38-0 and Fiji 28-5 as they set out in search of their 10th title in 13 years.
They included four players making their Sevens debut, including Charles Piutau who starred in New Zealand U20’s JWC victory in Italy earlier this year, but their star man on the day was nice-captain Lote Raikabula, who scored a brace in their second match and was outstanding against his native Fiji.
The Fijians earlier recorded a 38-0 victory in their first match, including a brace from Joeli Lutumailagi, while 39-year-old Senivalati Vunibola made his career debut against Niue. They beat Kenya 26-7 before losing the pool decider against New Zealand.
Kenya finished third in Pool A after a 19-7 victory against Niue, but the biggest cheer came when Matt Faleuka crossed for Niue’s first try of the weekend. Michael Agevi, younger brother of Humphrey Kayange and Collins Injera scored his first try for Kenya.
Fixtures/results:
(Kick-off is local time – GMT plus 10 hours)
New Zealand 26-5 Kenya
Fiji 38-0 Niue
New Zealand 38-0 Niue
Fiji 26-7 Kenya
Kenya 19-7 Niue
New Zealand 28-5 Fiji
Pool B:
(South Africa, Australia, United States, Japan)
South Africa started this season as they finished the last, unbeaten, with wins against USA, Japan and Australia.
The Blitzbokke survived a scare early on against USA after conceding two tries to Zach Test before eventually winning 17-12. They also came from 7-0 down against Japan before a Chris Dry hat-trick helped secure a 31-7 victory.
Against Australia they were missing the IRB Sevens Player of the Year Cecil Afrika, on the sidelines nursing a sore rib, but still proved too strong.
Mark Richards and Jacob Taylor swapped tries in the first half, but after the break the returning Robert Ebersohn and Steven Hunt both touched down for a 21-7 win.
Australia had a new captain in Ed Jenkins and eight players making their Sevens debuts and in their first match debutant Pama Fou scored two of their five times in a 33-0 victory. Michael O’Connor’s men then defeated USA 22-7 thanks to two tries from Jenkins.
USA finished third in Pool B after a 21-0 victory against Japan thanks to tries from Folau Niua, Shalom Suniula and Colin Hawley.
Fixtures/results:
(Kick-off is local time – GMT plus 10 hours)
South Africa 17-12 United States
Australia 33-0 Japan
South Africa 31-7 Japan
Australia 22-7 United States
United States 21-0 Japan
South Africa 21-7 Australia
Pool C:
(Samoa, Argentina, France, Papua New Guinea)
2009/10 World Series champions Samoa maintained their 100 percent record on day by beating Argentina 31-0 and sent France through to the quarterfinals in the process.
France reached the Cup quarterfinals following a 33-5 victory against Papua New Guinea in Pool C, Paul Albaladejo, Manoel Dall Igna, Renaud Delmas, Romain Raine and Thibaut Zambelli all crossing to add to an earllier 31-14 defeat of Argentina with Delmas and Terry Bouhraoua scoring twice apiece.
Ealirer, Samoa got proceedings underway on day one of the 2011 Gold Coast Sevens – Fever Pitch against France, recording a 24-14 victory thanks to tries from Tom Iosefo, Robert Lilomaiava, Simaika Mikaele and Faalemiga Selesele.
Iosefo scored his second and third tries of the tournament in their 38-0 victory against Papua New Guinea, and they now face Argentina at 20:30 in their final Pool C match.
Manuel Montero helped himself to a hat-trick, the first of the Series, in the second match of day one as Los Pumas beat Papua New Guinea 33.
Fixtures/results:
(Kick-off is local time – GMT plus 10 hours)
Samoa 24-14 France
Argentina 33-0 Papua New Guinea
Samoa 38-0 Papua New Guinea
Argentina 14-31 France
France 33-5 Papua New Guinea
Samoa 29-0 Argentina
Pool D:
(England, Wales, Scotland, Tonga)
Harry Robinson scored twice as Wales surprised England 21-7 in the final Pool D match to reach the Cup quarterfinals as pool winners.
Earlier, captain Richie Pugh had snatched a dramatic victory against Scotland after the buzzer had sounded.
Trailing 12-7, Pugh capitalised on Scotland being reduced to six men to add to an earlier 24-7 victory against Tonga thanks to two tries from Will Price.
England beat the auld enemy 24-5 in their first match despite conceding the first try to James Eddie, with captain Greg Barden, Mat Turner, Dan Norton and John Brake all crossing. In their second match Turner, James Rodwell and Brake all scored against Tonga.
Scotland finished third after a narrow 14-12 victory against Tonga.
Fixtures/results:
(Kick-off is local time – GMT plus 10 hours)
England 24-5 Scotland
Wales 24-7 Tonga
England 19-0 Tonga
Wales 14-12 Scotland
Scotland 14-12 Tonga
England 7-21 Wales
