We bring you all the reaction from the opening day of the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens, the opening tournament of the 2007/08 IRB Sevens World Series.

Gordon Tietjens, New Zealand coach
"We started particularly well in the first half [against France] - 21-0 - and we went to sleep in the second half and we lost the position that we had and percentage possession went to France. They put us under a bit of pressure, so we are lucky to come out with the win.

"I think it would have been the disappointment of losing, not losing our position in the pool because we still would have won our section in the pool so that was never in danger, but I think what was disappointing for us was the fact that we could have lost and perhaps we should have lost with the way that we played in the second half, over complacent I think. We looked at the score and it was 21-0 and how much we were going to win by. The French came back with a lot hunger in the second half, which certainly for us obviously exposed us in a few areas that we need to pick up for tomorrow.

"Looking at the other sides, Samoa and Fiji look particularly good, [Fiji] just beating Australia quite comfortably, they look a real danger, and also built around that is South Africa of course that are looking pretty good. But again you will see another level tomorrow when it comes to quarter-final time. We are going to be playing Argentina, they are going to be physically tough, they beat Australia and they gave Fiji a pretty good go earlier this morning."

Stephen Gemmell, Scotland coach
"I think it [the key to coming back to beat France] was just belief. This group of players, I’ve said it before, they are young and because of that they don’t have any fear, they bounced back very, very quickly.

"We knew in preparation for this tournament, France was our key game. Regardless of win, lose or draw against New Zealand, we knew we had to turn up and play against France and the boys did that, they stuck to the game plan."

Humphrey Kayange, Kenya captain
"Actually it was the first game [against Samoa] that made the difference, after that we knew we had a real chance, so it made us go into the next games with a lot of spirit and the mood was good in the boys.

"I think that is the way we play best right now. We tend to start the game on a very low note and pick it up as the game continues, so against Samoa, we tried and it truly hurt some of the boys, but for the next games, although we conceded early tries we were able to pick ourselves up and look forward.

"It would be great [to reach the quarter-finals], Dubai has always been a very bad place for us and actually right now we are glad we are making history, but tomorrow any team that comes we are taking it head on to see if we can reach the semis."

Dan Carter, All Blacks fly half
"I have heard a lot of great things about the Dubai Sevens and here I am experiencing it and really enjoying it. I'll be floating around the weekend and keeping a special eye on the New Zealand team and hopefully they can go all the way.

"It is quite bizarre [New Zealand haven't won in Dubai since 2002], but that's something I'm sure they'll have talked about and be wanting to try and achieve this time around, it's never easy but I am sure they will do well.

"I really enjoy it [Sevens] - it's a great spectacle, they throw it around, as you can see the whole event is a real festivity, so it is great and that is sort of why I am here to relax and watch some good Sevens play."