Rugby sevens: NZ set up Fiji clash

Emphatic pool play wins over Canada, Portugal and Argentina yesterday set New Zealand up for a quarter-final clash with Fiji at the London rugby sevens at Twickenham.

New Zealand dominated their pool, routing Portugal 43-7 and Argentina 38-0 after kicking off their London campaign with a superb six-try 40-0 victory against Canada.

Solomon King set them on their way in their opening match of pool play. Lote Raikabula and captain DJ Forbes also scored in the first half, while Tim Nanai-Williams, Julian Savea and Save Tokula added tries after the break giving them another impressive win, 43-7 against Portugal, with King and Savea both scoring twice. Save Tokula, Kurt Baker and Lote Raikabula also added one apiece.

In the final pool match, Zar Lawrence inspired New Zealand to a fine 38-0 win against Argentina to ensure that they topped their group.

Forbes said his team was looking to perform more consistently in the last two sevens world series tournaments in London and Edinburgh next week.

"We've come here pretty much with nothing to lose - we've had a bit of a sad season. We've got a good team - it's just a matter of having a consistent performance," Forbes said.

New Zealand lie fifth but the eight-times champions could improve to second if they perform well in the last two tournaments of a year that has seen them hit hard by injuries and a loss of experience.

Forbes was happy with his team's dominant win over Argentina, and with the talent coming through.

"We had quite a tough pool and we had to put on some convincing wins," he said.

"We've got a lot of young prospects coming up and it's exciting times and I guess for us the key thing is to finish the season on a bit of a high."

In other Pool D action, Ben Souness' final try saw Portugal draw with Argentina 21-21 then grab second place in the pool on points difference for their second quarter-finals of the season.

South Africa remained on course for their first sevens rugby world series crown when they completed the pool stage unbeaten.

Entering the penultimate tournament with a 28-point lead on England, South Africa swept aside sevens World Cup champions Wales 29-5, drubbed Germany 70-0 and edged Australia 17-14 with a late try by Gio Aplon.

England also advanced unbeaten, downing defending London champions Samoa 31-14 in the last pool match to eliminate the Samoans and advance France, who have a better points difference.

Earlier, France led Samoa 26-19 until Reupena Levasa scored a second try in the last seconds for Lolo Lui to convert for a draw.

In other quarterfinals, South Africa will meet France, Scotland tackle Portugal and England come up against Australia.

- NZPA