Paris Sevens: SA, Kenya march into Cup quarters
The hosts will play Singapore champions Kenya in the penultimate round of the World Sevens Series. France booked their place after 24-12 and 26-14 victories over the USA and Argentina respectively.
Captain Terry Bouhraoua and Stephen Parez scored in both matches as the hosts picked up where they left off on Day One to the delight of the home crowd.
"Apart from the last three minutes of the match against Argentina, the overall content of the first two days is good for us," said France head coach Frederic Pomarel. "We are satisfied, except for those three minutes, but that's not too bad because it gives a little hit on everyone's bottom for tomorrow."
"There was a lot of concentration and application from the players, and we now must stay focused on our goal which is playing six matches in the tournament. I knew the team was able to do what they did, I also know that for the first time in the season I've got the full team on the field.
"We want to keep the continuity now and whether we win or not, I want them to put the same commitment and the same seriousness until the end."
Pool A
(Kenya, Portugal, New Zealand, Russia)
New Zealand remained unbeaten to top the pool after they came back from 7-17 down to beat Kenya 19-17 in the decider. Tries from Rieko Ioane and Gillies Kaka, with the latter scoring the match-winning try from a quickly taken tap penalty with the clock in the red, helped the All Blacks Sevens to victory and they will face Argentina in the first quarter-final.
Earlier, New Zealand kept Portugal scoreless to win 31-0.
Despite their loss, Kenya finished in second place and will face France in their quarter-final, thanks to a 22-7 victory over Russia in their first match of the day. Russia, however, managed to bag a win of their own when they edged Portugal 17-10.
Results:
Kenya 22-7 Russia
New Zealand 31-0 Portugal
Portugal 10-17 Russia
Kenya 17-19 New Zealand
Pool B
(Fiji, Scotland, Samoa, Wales)
Two tries from Waisea Nayacalevu helped Fiji to a 42-5 win over Samoa in the Pool D decider. Josua Tuisova scored his fifth try of the tournament before running through another tackle to get the series leaders off to a flyer.
Earlier they beat Wales 33-14 with Tuisova scoring two tries and they will face Australia in the last eight.
Samoa finsihed second in the pool, their second victory – 17-12 over Scotland – ensured their passage into the Cup quarterfinals. Scotland got some consolation in their final match when they thumped Wales 35-7.
Results:
Fiji 33-14 Wales
Samoa 17-12 Scotland
Scotland 35-7 Wales
Fiji 42-5 Samoa
Pool C
(South Africa, England, Australia, Brazil)
Having scored four tries in South Africa's win over England on Day One, Seabelo Senatla scored two – including his 150th career try – in their win over Brazil before adding his seventh and eighth of the tournament in the Blitzboks' 31-0 defeat of Australia.
Rosko Specman also scored twice in the win, a result that means they remain unbeaten and will face Samoa in the Cup quarters.
Australia were forced to work hard for their quarter-final spot after narrowly beating England 24-19 and will have the tricky task of playing Fiji. England saved their blushes with a 38-1 victory over Brazil
Results:
South Africa 30-7 Brazil
Australia 24-19 England
England 38-12 Brazil
South Africa 31-0 Australia
Pool D
(Argentina, USA, France, Canada)
Hosts France were the fourth unbeaten side to emerge from the pool stages after their two victories. The victories ensured top spot in the pool and they will now face the unpredictable and exciting Kenyans for a spot in the semi-finals.
Argentina is the final team in the quarter-finals after they grabbed their second victory in the pool when they defeated Canada 28-7. The South Americans will now play New Zealand for a spot in the Cup semi-finals.
After a disaapointing start, USA ensured they would bag a victory of their own with a 33-12 win over neighbours Canada.
Results:
Argentina 28-7 Canada
France 24-12 USA
USA 33-12 Canada
Argentina 14-26 France
Schedule – Sunday, May 15
(Kick-off time is local-GMT plus two hours)
Bowl quarter-finals:
Russia v Canada – 09.45
England v Wales – 10.07
USA v Portugal – 10.29
Scotland v Brazil – 10.51
Cup quarter-finals:
New Zealand v Argentina – 11.13
South Africa v Samoa – 11.35
France v Kenya – 11.57
Fiji v Australia – 12.19
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