Wellington Sevens: Big guns through to semifinals
Hosts New Zealand will face England and South Africa will face Fiji in the Cup semifinals.
New Zealand smashed a hapless Kenyan team 36-0, while England were also far too strong for Argentina, winning 33-7.
South Africa produced a powerful second-half performance to beat Australia 26-14, while Fiji were also made to work hard for their 21-12 over the United States.
Cup quarterfinals:
New Zealand 36-0 Kenya
The Kenyans simply had no answer to the pace and power of the New Zealanders.
First-half tries by Akira Ioane, Tim Mikkelson, Joe Webber and Kurt Baker saw the Kiwis race into 24-0 half-time lead against an error-prone Kenyan team
Mikkelson and Regan Ware added second-half tries for a convincing win against the Africans, who could not buy a trick.
England 33-7 Argentina
It was another one-sided affair, with Argentina putting up token resistance and England raced into a 19-7 half-time lead.
Alexander Davis and Tom Mitchell sealed the deal with two more tries in a second half that saw the Argentineans losing the plot and their patience.
South Africa 26-14 Australia
A pin-point kick by Juan de Jongh allowed Chris Dry to race onto the ball for the opening score. Allan Fa'alava'au quickly got Australia on the board with a well-worked try, but the BlitzBoks reclaimed the lead when Seabelo Senatla went over right on the stroke of half-time – 12-7 at the break.
Senatla stretched South Africa's lead to 19-7 after a great kick-and-chase try, with Australia's error rate climbing at an alarming rate. It wasn't much of a surprise when the BlitzBoks pounced on an error for Philip Snyman to score the fourth try. There was enough time for Sam Myers to get a consolation score for the Aussies.
Fiji 21-12 United States
It was the speed of Carlin Isles that got the Americans on the scoreboard first, after five tense minutes of some brutal defence by both teams. Isake Katonibau pulled a try back right on the stroke of half-time to make it 7-5 for the Pacific Islanders at the break.
Jerry Tuwai stretched Fiji's lead with a great step-and-go soon after the restart, before Semi Kunatani made it safe with a try that came from an American mistake. Will Holder got a late consolation score for the Yanks.
Bow quarterfinals
Scotland 29-12 Portugal
Scotland held a comfortable 17-0 half-time lead, after tries by James Johnstone, Scott Riddell and Scott Wight. However, Portugal managed too narrow the gap to 12-17 after the break, with scores from Joao Belo and Tiago Fernandes, before tries by James Johnstone and Mark Robertson sealed the result.
France 14-19 Japan
Japan produced a comeback of epic proportions, after Arthur Retiere and Steeve Barry produced tries for a 14-0 lead to France at half-time. Kosuke Hashino started the comeback, followed by a Lomano Lemeki try and the winner by Lote Tuqiri in extra time.
Canada 35-12 Russia
Canada had no problem in disposing the willing Russians, racing to a 21-5 half-time lead – Harry Jones scoring a double. Lucas Hammond stretched the lead, before Russia got one back, but Jones sealed the win by completing his hat-trick.
Wales 24-29 Samoa
Samoa required a sudden-death extra-time score by Falemiga Selesele, after Lucas Morgan had draw the Canadians level at late in regulation time.
RE:LIVE! Check out this skill from @tbobbymitchell and @dbibby15 as @englandrugby booked place in Cup semis #NZ7shttps://t.co/lH2Gsoc8kp
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 31, 2016
