NZ romp through group in South African sevens

Led by six tries from Roy Kinikinilau, New Zealand won all three of their pool matches on the opening day of the world sevens rugby tournament in George, South Africa, overnight.

New Zealand beat Portugal 31-10, Tunisia 47-0 and France 36-7 to top their group and earn a quarterfinal meeting against surprise team Kenya, who won a tight match against Australia 24-21 and also beat Ireland to finish second behind England in their group.

The other quarterfinal in New Zealand's half of the draw sees hosts South Africa, who fought back from a 0-12 deficit to beat Samoa 21-12 and top their group, face Argentina, who finished second behind Fiji.

The only minor alarm for New Zealand on the first day came when they trailed Portugal 7-10 just before the break. However, four unanswered tries, one before halftime and three in the second spell, saw the men in black home.

There were no such concerns in the next two games for New Zealand. They stormed home 47-0 against Tunisia, who eventually finished second in the group, after leading 28-0 at halftime. Kinikinilau grabbed a hat-trick and Josh Blackie two tries in the one-sided encounter.

In the clash with France, who finished bottom of the group with only a 12-12 draw with Portugal to show for their efforts, New Zealand led 29-0 at the break before a second period in which each team scored a single try. Kinikinilau grabbed another two tries, with Sosene Anesi also picking up a brace.

In the other quarterfinals England, winners of the first leg of this year's series in Dubai, face Tunisia, while Fiji and Samoa front up in what looms as a physical encounter.

NZ results and scorers:

New Zealand 31 Portugal 10 (Tries: Roy Kinikinilau, Liam Messam, Tafai Ioasa, Sosene Anesi 2. Conversions: Orene Ai'i 2, Amasio Valence.

NZ 47 Tunisia 0 (Tries: Josh Blackie 2, Kinikinilau 3, Tanerau Latimer, Messam. Conversions: Valence 5, Messam)

NZ 36 France 7 (Tries: Kinikinilau 2, Anesi 2, Messam, Hayden Reid. Conversions: Ai'i 3).

- NZPA