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Hamilton Sevens: NZ face England in quarters

The hosts' last-gasp win means they will now face England in quarter-finals. The win also helped Scotland book a play-off match against the BlitzBoks.  

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Fiji finished on top of their pool after a hard-fought win over Australia. Fiji will now face Samoa in an all Pacific Island affair, while Australia will lock horns with Kenya. 

Hamilton Sevens: NZ face England in quarters

Pool A

(Australia, Fiji, Wales, Spain)

It was Australia's 11th consecutive defeat to Fiji.

The two sides produced scintillating attacking rugby. Fiji enjoyed the better start as they took a 7-0 lead straight from the kick-off thanks to Eroni Sau.

Soon, Timothy Mitchell Anstee scored a brace of tries within two minutes which made sure Australia took the lead for the first time, 10-7.

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Fiji hit back in sublime fashion as Josua Vakurunabili collected an over-the-shoulder pass for his first try of the day and a 12-10 lead for his team on the stroke of half-time

The second half produced the similar fast pace action. The lead swapped hands twice before Fiji's Sau fittingly ended the match with the final try.

Both teams qualify for the last eight.

It was a joy for Wales, three first-half tries by Hari Millard, Luke Morgan and Luke Treharne meant they were in command against Spain.

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A pulsating second half, saw Wales add another three tries to their tally. While Spain's two tries in the second half almost instigated a comeback.

Nonetheless, Wales emerged victorious as their secured their first win of the tournament.

Results:

Fiji 28-0 Wales

Australia 21-5 Spain

Fiji 22-12 Spain

Wales 7-26  Australia

Wales  29-21 Spain

Fiji 26-15 Australia

Pool B

(England, Russia, South Africa, Papua New Guinea)

Seemed like Neil Powell's men kept their best performance for England.

England, who sat in first going into the match with the better points difference, had the better of the early exchanges in attack, but a quickfire try from Seabelo Senatla and one from Tim Agaba put the BlitzBoks 14-0 up after seven minutes..

Just before the break, Senatla scored his 50th try against England. The speedster outpaced Dan Norton with ease for the five-pointer. Geduld was successful with all three conversions for the 21-0 advantage.

A Geduld chip which was gathered by Rosko Specman got South Africa's fourth as the game looked over, but despite a yellow card for Ryan Olowofela, Dan Norton scored England's consolation try of the game in a 7-28 defeat.

Papua New Guinea produced a big first-half display against Russia.

The side took a 19-7 lead at the break via a brace of trice by Gairo and Patrick Tatut. It seems PNG's speed and power was too hot to handle for Russia.  

In the second stanza, PNG rushed kept Russia scoreless and cruised to the comfortable 33-7 win.

Results:

England 47-0 Russia

South Africa 36-5 Papua New Guinea

England 27-0 Papua New Guinea

South Africa 38-0  Russia

Papua New Guinea  31-7   Russia

South Africa 28-7  England

Pool C

(New Zealand, Argentina, France, Scotland)

New Zealand were brilliant off the mark as Teddy Stanway, a man known for his power, paced his way over for the first try of the match.

Luciano Gonzalez, who had a class day in the blue and white jersey, marched his way over the line for the 7-5 lead.  

Minutes later Argentina added another try, this time Felipe del Mestre muscled his way through the backline.   

The All Blacks were eager to get the ball in hand but on the stroke of half-time pressure caused them to knock-on the ball inside the opposition's 22.

In a dramatic final minute –  and with Argentina down to six men –  Joseva Ravouvou got the final try of the match which handed New Zealand the win to top the pool.

The Kiwis' class prevailed to end the day unbeaten. The win means the hists play England in the quarter-final, while Scotland will face South Africa.

Scotland had full control in their match against France. Tries by Scott Riddell and that man Max McFarland produced a 14-7 lead at the break.  

McFarland was at it again in the second half. The Scotland star sealed his brace before Harvey Elms got his name on the score sheet for an impressive 26-7 scoreline.

Results:

New Zealand 52-7 France

Argentina 19-14 Scotland

New Zealand 24-5   Scotland

Argentina 14-28 France

Scotland 26-7 France

New Zealand 17-12 Argentina

Pool D

(Kenya, Samoa, USA, Canada)

Samoa came into the match knowing they have to win by 10 points to secure a quarter-finals spot. The men in blue's intention were clear as their rushed to a 10-0 lead after just two minutes.

Just before the break, David Jerusalem Afamasaga made it a trio of first-half tries for a 17-0 lead.

Canada battled their way back and managed to reduce the deficit to just three points.

In the end, Tila Mealoi scored the fourth try for a win for Samoa.

Kenya had a flying start against the USA. Nelson Oyoo outpaced the opposition for the early 5-0 lead.

Minutes later, Jeffery Oluoch scored Kenya's second try. Kenya kept carving USA open, this time Willy Ambaka sidestepped away from attempted tackles with his lightning pace to give his team a huge 19-0 points advantage.

With USA's playoff hopes deteriorating, the World Rugby Sevens Players of the year Perry Baker, as usual, stepped up to finally put USA on the board.

Soon the sides were locked at 19-all as Carlin Isles ran the length of the field for a try.

The draw means that Kenya and Samoa will head to the quarter-finals.

Results:

Kenya 19-14 Samoa

USA 28-14 Canada

Kenya 19-14 Canada

USA 10-14 Samoa

Samoa 22-14 Canada

Kenya 19-19 USA

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