Dubai 7s: England puts down marker
England beat New Zealand 26-12 to be one of four unbeaten teams at the end of the day – the others being current Word Series and Olympic champions Fiji, South Africa and Australia.
The Cup quarterfinal line-up will see Fiji play France, England face Scotland, Australia up against Wales and South Africa take on New Zealand.
In the Challenge Trophy quarterfinals Argentina face Japan, Samoa are up against Uganda, Kenya take on Canada and the United States face Russia.
Fiji eventually topped Pool A, but not before being given an almighty fright by Argentina. Te Pacific Islanders eventually won 22-19, but twice had to come from behind – 0-12 in the first half and 17-19 in the second half. They will be joined in the Cup quarterfinals by Wales, who smashed Canada 31-5.
South Africa stayed unbeaten through Day One, followed their hard-earned 19-17 win over the United States and will be joined in the Cup quarterfinals by Scotland, who beat Uganda 35-14.
England retained their unbeaten run when they put up a clinical performance to beat New Zealand 26-12 in their Pool C encounter. The Kiwis also advanced. Samoa edged Russia 17-15 in the other Pool C match.
Australia top Pool D, after their 12-12 win over Kenya, and France will join them in the Cup quarterfinals after they demolished Japan 35-0.
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We look at all the Round Three action!
Pool A:
(Fiji, Wales, Argentina, Canada)
Canada, looking for their first win, storm out the blocks and ad the lead after just 30 seconds through Adam Zaruba. Good, patient rugby from Wales, though, and Luke Treharne lead by example to draw the scores level.
John Moonlight was sent to the bin early in the second half and Wales immediately took advantage of the extra man as Adam Thomas offloaded to Ethan Davies, who extended his country's lead with his 14th Sevens career try. Ben Roach and Davies added further tries.
Argentina, who had to win by at least eight points against Rio 2016 champions Fiji in the final Pool A game of the day, got off to the perfect start. Bautista Delguy took the ball off the ground and, despite an incoming cover tackle, the 19-year-old sprinted up the short side and stepped inside to put Los Pumas ahead. A super break from Bautista Delguy, and the Fernando Luna picked out German Schulz on the wing, who scored a second Argentina try. Kitione Taliga struck back for Fiji, before Osea Kolinisau surged through the centre and the scores were level 12-all at the break.
Sevuloni Mocenacagi was sent to the bin for a late tackle. But, despite being a man down, Fiji scored a length-of-the-field try with Setareki Bituniyata sprinting over after a spectacular offload. Franco Sabato took Argentina back into the lead with two and a half minutes to play. Joeli Lutumailagi scored the winner for the Pacific Islanders in the last minute.
Results:
Wales 31-5 Canada
Fiji 22-19 Argentina
Pool B:
(South Africa, Scotland, United States, Uganda)
Scotland did not give Uganda much chance with the ball. Scott Riddell opened them up before James Johnstone went over for a second. The Africans weren't giving up, however, and Philip Wokorach scored his – and Uganda's – second try of the day to make it 14-7 at the break.
The second half started when a poor offload from Scott Riddell gifted Eric Kasiita a try and Uganda were level. But replacement George Horne, making his series debut this weekend, offloaded beautifully to Dougie Fife, who restored some order for Scotland. James Fleming and Horne added a couple more tries.
The United States, who had to win their final Pool B match if they had aspirations of competing in the Cup quarterfinals, made the worst possible start, as the unstoppable Cecil Afrika roared through the Eagles defence inside 30 seconds. Then it was World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Seabelo Senatla. He scored 66 tries in the last Sevens series and he has five on Day one already.
Perry Baker kicked the ball down the field, chased it, and kicked it three more times for the United Stats' first try – 5-14 at the break.
The second half started with some terrific, fast-paced rugby from Eagles, as the influential Stephen Tomasin motored ferociously to the tryline for his third try of the day – 10-14 with two minutes remaining.
It was a poor, loose pass from Madison Hughes that allowed Ruhan Nel to feed Senatla on the outside, who made it his third double on Day One. Baker scored a late consolation, but it was too late as the hooter for full-time sounded.
Results:
Scotland 35-14 Uganda
South Africa 19-17 United States
Pool C:
(England, Samoa, New Zealand, Russia)
Samoa and Russia were both seeking their first win of the day. A converted Eddie Fidow try put Samoa in front and there was a nice interchange between the Samoan backs before captain Tila Mealoi went over, following a clear run to the line for Russia's German Davydov.
The 22-year-old Phoenix Hunapo-Nofoa made the most of an opportunity from a turnover to extend Samoa's second-half lead. There was some smart work from Vladislav Lazarenko to reduce the deficit with a minute remaining. But Samoa saw it out and they've now won all 14 matches against Russia.
England fail to take the kick-off cleanly in the last match of the day, against New Zealand. However, they recovered and captain Tom Mitchell struck first by finishing off a move involving Dan Bibby. Bibby the booted down field, with the chase led by Mitchell. He wrapped his hands around the ball and found the supporting Charlie Hayter, who had a simple job to score his 16th career Sevens try – England 12 in front at the break.
- Sherwin Stowers had the vision and accuracy to chase his own chip forward and touched down for New Zealand, but Dan Norton flew through the field to restore England's lead after an excellent kick from Bibby. New Zealand went down a man with Antonio Kiri Kiri in the bin and Mitchell put the matter beyond doubt when he followed up another kick-and-chase, while Scott Curry got a late consolation try for the Kiwis.
Results:
Samoa 17-15 Russia
New Zealand 12-26 England
Pool D:
(France, Australia, Japan, Kenya)
France produced a dramatic opening score against Japan. Magnificent, pin-point kick-off from captain Terry Bouhraoua allowed Jérémy Aicardi to pick up possession and put the French in front in this Pool D clash.
Vincent Inigo scored a second before a lovely France break ended in a third try with Jonathan Laugel demonstrating his immense power to barge his way through the Japanese defence. Then captain fantastic Terry Bouhraoua scored Sevens try number 100. Japan simply had no answer to the hard-running French.
Ed Jenkins opened the scoring for Australia against Kenya – his 105th Sevens career try, just two shy of Peter Miller's all-time Australian Sevens record. Charlie Taylor punished Kenya by running in his first-ever Sevens series try. But right on the stroke of the break William Ambaka touched down his third try – Kenya back in it, down just 7-10 at half-time.
Bit of indecision from Australia and Kenya took full advantage after slowing the game down and making it a battle of power and precision. Billy Odhiambo then got his first score of the weekend but, just as the siren sounds, Charlie Taylor stole it for Australia.
Results:
France 35-0 Japan
Australia 17-12 Kenya
Source: @WorldRugby7s
