Wellington Sevens: Big boys start well
The first real mouth-watering game saw New Zealand get one over former coach Gordon Tietjens with a 33-5 win over Samoa, while the USA and France played out a draw in that same Pool (C).
There were also opening round wins for England, Argentina, Fiji, South Africa and Wales and Canada.
Pool A:
(England, Papua New Guinea, Kenya, Argentina)
England might light work of minnows Papua New Guinea in their opening game with a 40-0 win. Tries by Dan Norton, James Rodwell. Tom Micthell and Dan Bibby blew the opposition out of the park.
In Pool A's other opening game Kenya were pipped to the post by Argentina. The South Americans dominated the first half by going in front to lead 12-0, before Kenya raced back in the second half to level the scores.
However, it was Argentina who would have the final say with a try late on for a 17-12 win.
Results:
England 40-0 Papua New Guinea
Argentina 17-12 Kenya
Pool B:
(Fiji, Australia, South Africa, Japan)
In the match between Fiji and Australia, there was some fast-paced action with both teams trying to get the upper hand. It was Fiji who had the upper hand in the first half with a 12-5 lead after outscoring their opponents by two tries to one.
Australia managed to level the scores early in the second half before Fiji showed their class with two final tries to win 26-12
In Pool B's other game, it was one-way traffic as the BlitzBoks smashed Japan with five tries to none.
Werner Chris, Chris Dry, Philip Snyman and Seabelo Senatla scored first half tries with Senatla adding a second in the second half to round up a good 33-0 win.
Fiji 26-12 Australia
South Africa 33-0 Japan
Pool C:
(New Zealand, Samoa, USA, France)
New Zealand would have wanted to prove a point against former coach Gordon Tietjens, who is in charge of Samoa, and that is what the home side did in their opening game.
Two converted tries by Scott Curry and another by Sherwin Stowers gave New Zealand a commanding 21-0 lead at half-time.
New Zealand continued their dominance in the second half with another two tries, with Samoa only able to get one back to go down 5-33.
In the other game, France and the USA played out and entertaining 21-all draw.
France had a commanding 21-7 lead at the break after outscoring their opponents by three tries to one.
However, the USA fought back in the second half with two converted tries without reply to share the spoils.
Results:
New Zealand 33-5 Samoa
USA 21-21 France
Pool D:
(Wales, Canada, Scotland, Russia)
Wales were too strong for the Russia in their opening game.
The Russia put up a strong fight in the second half, but were ultimately 0-14 behind after two converted Welsh tries.
In the second half, it was all Wales as the team in red scored another three tries to run out 33-0 winners.
Pool D's other game saw Canada put in a spirited performance to beat Scotland 28-19
Results:
Wales 33-0 Russia
Scotland 19-28 Canada
