Hosts New Zealand saw off the stiff challenge of rejuvenated World Series champions South Africa in the final game on day one at the NZI Sevens, nine hours of pulsating action that also provided Canada with a fairytale return to the World Series.

While New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa and England all eased through as pool-toppers, the Canadians also claimed a deserved place in the Cup quarter finals after recording the day's two upsets against Argentina and improved France.

The Canadians play defending champions England in the last eight. New Zealand face trans-Tasman rivals Australia, Samoa take on Kenya and South Africa will play Fiji.

New Zealand currently lead the race for the 11th IRB Sevens World Series title after victories in both Dubai and George and remain favourites here to win back the title England took away from them last year.

- RESULTS & LAST EIGHT FIXTURES >>
- LEADING SCORERS >>
- POOL STANDINGS >>

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New Zealand win Pool A

New Zealand were made to work hard by a much-improved South African side but came through their toughest test 19-7 to finish day one with a 100% record. The kiwis' first two matches, against Wales and Niue, did nothing to lengthen the bookies' odds on them to win here. Captain DJ Forbes was in fine form to lead from the front in a convincing 29-5 win against the World Cup winners and the kiwis followed that up with another impressive performance against Niue.

Their match against the World Series champion Boks, though, was a much tighter encounter. Sherwin Stowers gave them the lead, which was cancelled out by Ryno Benjamin before Zar Lawrence and Kurt Baker edged them home.

Earlier, South Africa beat the Niueans 38-10, Steven Hunt scoring twice, and the Boks registered their second win against Wales, Cecil Afrika the star in a comfortable win. Wales' win against the Niueans secured them a favourable draw in the Bowl quarter finals, where they will play PNG.

Reaction: Kurt Baker, New Zealand


"Titch (Gordon Tietjens) said at the start of the day it's three finals that we've got to play, we played them and won them so it's onto tomorrow now, it's our home crowd and nobody likes to lose in front of their home crowd, so there's a bit of incentive in that.

"It's pressure, but at the same time it's excitement. There's pressure at every tournament, everyone expects New Zealand to do well, but I think it's exciting that people are going to back us the whole way. There's pressure, but it's a good pressure."

Fiji too strong in Pool B

Fiji finished the day unbeaten with wins against Scotland, PNG and Australia, and so far look the side most likely to trouble New Zealand. Australia also proceed to the Cup quarters in second place.

While William Ryder scored his 100th career try in the Fijians' opener, Osea Kolinisau scored twice in their 36-5 win against Scotland and then they scored seven unanswered tries against PNG, the Oceania qualifiers coached by Waisale Serevi.

Australia had to come from behind to beat PNG 31-12 and were then too strong for the Scots, Brackin Karauria-Henry scoring two in a 24-7 win.

Scotland registered their first win of the tournament against Papua New Guinea before Fiji rounded off their first day with a convincing 38-7 win against the Aussies.

England top Pool C

Defending champions England have gone unbeaten on day one in Wellington, but have lost their captain Kevin Barrett through injury. Ben Ryan's side was too good for the USA, Matt Turner scoring twice in a 31-7 win, and then they kept their composure to grind out hard-fought wins against Tonga and Kenya.

The Kenyans were made to work far harder by newlook Tonga, winning 15-7, and then came good against the USA to book their own place in the Cup quarters.

USA recovered from their two opening losses to post a morale-boosting win against tired Tonga in their final match of the day.

Reaction: Nigel Starmer-Smith, TV commentator

"I think against the odds England have really done as well as one might have hoped for (in defence of their title), especially with the injury to their captain, Kevin Barrett. What I've been most impressed with is the guys coming in to replace established players who aren't here - Chris Brightwell who's been quite outstanding, James Rodwell ever-improving and then the versatility of the likes of Dan Caprice, the experience and vision of Ben Gollings. It's been a great performance, of character most of all."

Samoa and Canada proceed from Pool D

While Samoa topped Pool D unbeaten, Morgan Williams' Canada team stole the show with two dramatic victories against Argentina and France to join them in the Cup quarter finals.

Reupena Levasa scored three as the Samoans beat off the stiff challenge of France and then they triumphed over Morgan Williams' young Cannucks, who themselves kicked off with a very good win against Argentina. The Pumas recovered to beat France 19-5 but came up short against Samoa in the pool's final game - a result that also confirmed Canada's last eight berth.

Reaction: Morgan Williams, Canada coach

"To come out and to beat two core sides, a side like Argentina and then France as well, for these guys.. the youth that we have right now is phenomenal. They're on a high, it's something that we've never really experienced like this before and hopefully it's just going to get better.

"There are no egos anymore, we just have a bunch of guys who are playing for themselves as a group and it's awesome to see. There are no individuals and just the way that everyone's bought into this team philosophy has been phenomenal. They are young and they played out there with that youthful exhuberance, but they also played smart and it's something that hopefully we're going to build on in the future.

"We want to be back on the circuit. We've been off it for a couple of years just playing at certain events and we want to stake a claim."

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