Sevens sticks to script
In Pool A, the Springboks Sevens made light work of Scotland to claim a comfortable 28-5 victory. Justin Geduld and Seabelo Senatla bagged first half tries to take the Blitzboks to a 14-0 half-time time lead while Rosco Speckman and Juan de Jongh crossed the line in the second stanza. Jonasa Bulumakao grabbed a consolation try for the Scots as South Africa opened their account with a 28-5 victory.
Sonny Bill Williams grabbed a 13th minute debut try to go with further scores by Rieko Ioane, Kurt Baker, Timothy Mikkelson and Akira Ioane to claim a comfortable 38-7 victory over Russia. The All Blacks ran in three first half tries to race to a 19-0 lead at the break but it was Russia who opened the second half scoring, before New Zealand took control once again to close out the match.
Fiji sit on top of Pool B after their 45-7 demolition of Japan. They ran in three first half tries and conceded one as they took a 21-7 lead at the break before running in a further four in the second half to claim the easy win.
Argentina were made to work hard for their victory as they were pushed all the way by a determined Welsh outfit. It was smooth sailing in the first half for the South Americans as they held a 12-0 half-time lead. Wales hit back early in the second half but Argentina struck back straight away to restore their lead. Wales dug in and scored a late try to set up a tight finish but Argentina managed to hang onto the victory.
In Pool C, England found themselves trailing early in their match against France before scoring two late first half tries to take a 12-7 lead at the break. France began the second half on fire as they took a 14-12 lead and thought they had the match wrapped up, only to be denied by an England score after the final hooter.
The United Sates ran in two first half tries to take a 12-5 lead at half-time before Samoa struck early in the second half to make it a two-point game. The sides traded scores as the half progressed before Samoa took a 20-19 lead in the final minute of the match through a penalty. There was time for a final play and the USA took full advantage as they scored with time up on the clock to steal a 24-20 victory.
Pool D saw Kenya making light work of Canada by running in five tries to bag a 31-7 victory. Two first half scores saw the Africans hold a 12-7 half-time lead before stretching their legs in the second half to run in a further three.
A big second half performance saw Australia overturn a 12-point half-time deficit to claim a 19-12 victory over Portugal. The Portuguese ran in two tries to keep their opponents scoreless in the first half. However, Australia hit back with three second half tries to claim the win.
Results:
France 14-17 England
United States 24-20 Samoa
Argentina 19-12 Wales
Fiji 45-7 Japan
Kenya 31-7 Canada
Australia 19-12 Portugal
South Africa 28-5 Scotland
New Zealand 38-7 Russia
Pools:
Pool A: South Africa, New Zealand, Scotland, Russia
Pool B: Argentina, Fiji, Wales, Japan
Pool C: France, United States, England, Samoa
Pool D: Kenya, Australia, Canada, Portugal
Schedule – Saturday, January 30:
(Kick-off is local time – GMT plus 11 hours)
France v Samoa – 14.32
United States v England – 14.54
Argentina v Japan – 15.16
Fiji v Wales – 15.38
Kenya v Portugal – 16.00
Australia v Canada – 16.22
South Africa v Russia – 16.44
New Zealand v Scotland – 17.06
England v Samoa – 17.28
France v United States – 17.54
Wales v Japan – 18.20
Argentina v Fiji – 18.46
Canada v Portugal – 19.12
Kenya v Australia – 19.38
Scotland v Russia – 20.04
South Africa v New Zealand
