NZ sevens get wake up call

HONG KONG - New Zealand got the wakeup call they needed, but not necessarily the quarterfinal draw they wanted on a roller-coaster opening to the rugby sevens World Cup yesterday.

The tournament came alive in the final two games as highly-fancied England went down 17-28 to France and New Zealand struggled to beat Tonga 19-12.

However, as giant-killing acts go, nothing could top Tunisia's 19-12 defeat of South Africa, which leaves the Springboks' quarterfinal participation in grave doubt.

While defending champions New Zealand are all-but assured of a quarterfinal berth after picking up three wins yesterday over Korea 47-0, Ireland 52-5 and Tonga, their opponents in the first knockout stage could well be fellow-tournament heavyweights England following their French faux pas.

Assuming New Zealand beat the United States and the unbeaten Scotland in their remaining pool matches today, they will face the second-placed team from pool B in tomorrow's quarterfinals. That could well now be England -- Hong Kong champions for the past three years and with an even stronger team this tournament -- rather than the more anticipated Samoa or France, who are both unbeaten.

New Zealand captain Liam Messam was stunned to hear of England's loss, having been unaware of the boilover as they prepared for their match.

"Maybe England weren't mentally there," he told NZPA.

"They've probably got their strongest teams here and went out a little bit like us against Tonga. We were switched off just enough and Tonga exploited our weaknesses."

However, Messam believed his team's hiccup was valuable as his team had barely been pushed in winning the last two International Rugby Board series tournaments, in Wellington and Los Angeles.

"It gave us a wakeup call and I think it was good for us," he said.

"Tonga played very well. The boys dug in and put out the sort of performance we'll need again this weekend."

In cool, blustery conditions at Hong Kong Stadium, the physical Tongan approach saw them led 12-7 halftime, with the New Zealanders well off their game.

At the heart of New Zealand's win was Orene Ai'i, the brilliant playmaker setting up the first-half try to Edwin Cocker, doing the same for Josh Blackie, which levelled the score, and then crossing himself and converting from the sideline to ensure New Zealand remained one of seven unbeaten teams on the first day.

Also, there was relief that experienced halfback Amasio Valence is set to play a full role after pinching a nerve in his shoulder and leaving the game against Korea. He came off the reserve bench in the second half of the two other games, his arm bandaged.

"It was quite a scare to me," Messam said.

"He's probably the backbone ... it was pretty frightening at the time."

Another highlight was four tries from Highlanders Super 12 flanker Josh Blackie in the defeat of Ireland, who looked to still be suffering a hangover from St Patrick's day. Blackie showed a rare turn of speed and is the tournament's second-highest try scorer after the first day, his tally of five one behind surprise leader Andrew Turnbull of Scotland.

Matches of note today will see South Africa battling for survival against unbeaten Argentina and an improving Australia facing Fiji in a clash of unbeaten teams.

All eyes were on Fijian legend Waisale Serevi yesterday, who was making his return to Hong Kong after a two-year absence.

The 36-year-old didn't appear the dominant force of countless tournaments here but still produced some classy touches.

Young lookalike William Ryder appeared a more dangerous customer, along with pacy winger Sireli Bobo.

Before their loss, England shaped as the team to beat, with wingers Richard Haughton and Ugo Monye especially dangerous.

However, they fell 0-14 behind France early and were still 12-21 down with three minutes left when French forward Renaud Dulin was sinbinned.

The French defended gamely and had the final say when Jerome Naves swooped on a Henry Paul mistake to score.

- NZPA