Wellington Sevens: Live Updates

New Zealand winger Save Tokula fends off the tackle of Niue's Afe Leona. Photo / Getty Images

22:24: Kurt Baker and Zar Lawrence do the business for New Zealand as they took their chances when it counted to win 19-7.

South Africa will face the red hot Fijians and New Zealand will take on Australia tomorrow morning.

It was intense and it was tight but critical mistakes at crucial times fell in favour of the home side.

Gordan Tietjens can be pleased his side survived day one without dropping a match, the standout attribute in his team was their defence which came through in South Africa match to see them home.

If improvements can be made, New Zealand need to be more composed with the ball in hand - at times the pushed passes when they didn't have to.

All in all, many will be certain that we have a side that can take us to a Cup final victory come this time tomorrow.

After day one, Fiji has looked great today with Samoa also looking in hot form alongside New Zealand in their home tournament.

Join the team at nzherald.co.nz tomorrow for all the action from the Wellington Sevens at Westpac Stadium.

22:04: Ryno Benjamin scores a try to level the match at 7 all at halftime.

A tense start from both sides as neither team could find an early try, step in Mr Sherwin Stowers the New Zealand speed king who made a bust through the middle and brushing past a pair of defenders to score.

Benjamin's try after the halftime hooter puts both teams back on level terms.

21:51: Fiji pulls out all the party tricks as the fleet-footed Fijians blow Australia off the park 38-7.

New Zealand and South Africa really need to pick up their game in the hope that they don't meet Fiji in tomorrow's quarterfinal match.

William Ryder only played the last five minutes, but he had enough time to score twice and setup one try in his short cameo.

The crowd at Westpac are stunned at the way in which Fiji tore apart the Aussie defence.

Fantastic skills on show from our Pacific neighbours.

New Zealand come up against South Africa in the final match of day one.

21:42: Seremaia Burotu scores two late tries to take Fiji to 19 points to nil over Australia.

The Fijian fans are happy as their side score two long range efforts to dampen Aussie hopes of going top of Pool B.

"Shake it on baby now"… there's so much noise in the stadium from the singing and dancing, I'm sure the players are struggling to hear each other on the field.

The crowd are only warming to entrance of the New Zealand side in their final game of the evening against South Africa.

21:32: A long range try from England's Dan Caprice did the trick for his side as they beat Kenya 24-10 in the last match of Pool C.

Innocent Simiyu scored a consolation try for the Africans however it was too little too late as the English were a class above.

Caprice, the little livewire sweeper, looks like a real star in the making for his side.

After tonight's results England will play Canada and Samoa will face Kenya in tommorow's Cup quaterfinals.

Australia will now meet Fiji in the final showdown in Pool B.

21:21: England has come to play in their Pool C decider with Kenya as they go in front 17-5 at halftime.

Kenya went in front early on with a well worked try after 2 minutes of play.

However the remaining five minutes of the match has been all England, with the British side making all their possession count for three tries.

Kenya are still in it if they can score first, if the English get a sniff of the try line it could be all over for the African flyers.

21:14: Samoa goes to the top of Pool D with Alafoti Faosiliva, Mikaele Pesamino and Paul Chan Tung all scoring to settle the score at 33-14.

Canada joins the pacific giants as the second side to qualify from their pool for the Cup quarterfinals.

Argentina will challenge for the Plate championship.

20:59: The sun has gone down and the noise at the stadium is now at its loudest as the party heats up after the parade of nations.

Reupena Levasa brings up try number five to make him the top tryscorer of the tournament at this stage.

12-7 as Samoa go out in front at the halftime break.

20:50: Samoa against Argentina gets underway as the final Pool D match will decide the outcome for three teams.

If Samoa win, they will go through with Canada.

If Argentina come out on top, they will advance with Samoa to the Cup quarterfinals.

So it's a big match as three teams vie for two spots off the back of this crucial match.

20:15: Wales hold off a late challenge from Niue as Jevon Groves comes back from the sinbin to score a try to make it 19-5.

Niue had tired legs by the match's end, and looked exhausted with 3 minutes to go.

Wales were too big, too strong for the Pacific Island minnows at Westpac Stadium.

The parade of nations will now take place at the crowd.

As the players circle the field, spectators let loose dancing to the tunes of Daft Punk, "around the world, around the world.."

19:55: The Scottish side will go into tommorow's matches with plenty of confidence after a proving too professional for the fleet footed PNG side.

Scotland beating PNG 34-5.

The party in Wellington is going off, with singing, dancing, and plenty of booze the name of the game.

Niue play Wales next.

19:45:Scotland in front 15-0 at halftime against PNG.

Fiji legend Waisale Serevi, now coach of PNG, has stated that his side can become the "next Kenya" on the IRB circuit series with more exposure to sevens at this level.

The athleticism of his players can't be questioned but their lack of competition at this level is beginning to show as they tire from the number of tackles they have to make.

With seven minutes to play can they pull back the Scots lead?

19:37: Tonga fight hard but can't add on to their halftime score as USA add one more try to win 15-7.

A tough day for the tongans who ran each side they faced down to the wire, unfortunately they couldn't pull off a solitary victory after day one's play.

Maybe better luck for our pacific neighbours in tomorrow's matches.

19:27: The USA Eagles lead Tonga 10-7 at halftime.

Tonga have done most of the tackling in the first half, everytime they get the ball they're a threat, they just need more of it.

A tough second half ahead for both sides.

19:12: The drama continues at the Wellington Sevens with Canada squeezing past France in the last kick of the match with a sideline conversion to win the match 21-19.

Down 19-5 with three minutes remaining, the Canucks score twice and land that incredible conversion to reach the final Cup eight.

Argentina will need to beat Samoa in the final Pool D match tonight to halt the Canadians from going through to the Cup quarterfinals.

19:00: A try for France just before halftime pips them ahead of Canada 14-7.

France have had all the ball but no field position, Canada will be kicking themselves for not making their great defensive work pay off.

The fiesta in the stands continues to grow as the party get louder despite the the relative minnows of sevens on the field.

The place to be most definitely is Wellington.

18:44: South Africa let one try to flatter the Welsh in a 35-5 score line.

It was all one way traffic though, as the Springboks tough defence repelled all Welsh attacks that tried to go through the green wall.

Paul Treu can be very happy with his side after today's opening two matches.

France face Canada in the subsequent match.

18:35: The Boks' move 19 points in front of Wales at the halftime point.

Pre-tourney predictions had South Africa as 2010 finalists and the Springboks are showing the Wellington crowd all their skills.

South Africa's Cecil Africa has been the star of the show so far against Wales scoring one and looking sharp throughout.

18:25: New Zealand brush aside Niue's challenge 49-5.

Niue was the first team to score as they caught the New Zealand defence off guard inside two minutes.

Save Tokula picked up two tries of his own – with the big man showing plenty of power in attack and in the tackle.

Lote Raikabula has impressed in this match showing his ability as a kicker, converting tries and striking high kick offs for his side.

18:05: It's all Australia in this match as they see off Scotland 24-7 in their Pool B match.

17:54: Australia have the upper hand at the halftime break with Karauria Henry (another Kiwi in Aussie colours?) scoring twice to give them a commanding lead 19-0.

Scotland had their chances but lack of composure at critical moments let them down.

Everytime the Aussies touch down the crowd jeer their efforts, proving that the trans-tasman rivalry will never let up.

New Zealand play Niue next, so stay with nzherald.co.nz for live updates from the Wellington Sevens.

17:45: Fiji look impressive in their 41-0 thrashing over PNG.

The athletic fijians were far too strong for PNG never letting their foot off the peddle after a slick fast start.

Fiji have put all top teams on notice with that win.

Australia and Scotland do battle next.

17:27: Waisale Serevi's PNG are 17 points behind Fiji in their second Pool B match of day one.

Fiji never looked in trouble in the first seven of the match.

They could pile on a huge score on their former captain's inexperienced side if they can stick a few plays together.

The crowd is in full swing now as the Wellington sun slowly dims.

17:20: Kenya move up the Pool C rankings with a convincing 24-7 victory over the USA Eagles.

17:13: The out-of-tune singing is getting louder as the party goers slowly fill the stadium - which approx. is half full now.

Westpac Stadium still has plenty of empty seats, but there's plenty of noise out.

USA lead Kenya 7-5 in their Pool C match.

17:03: The best match of the day so far.

England take it 24-19 with a last second try.

Unlucky for Tonga who led the game with 30 seconds to spare.

Who else but Ben Gollings from England to setup the last try with a delightful chip over the Tongan defence for his teammate to dot down.

Close call for England.

16:46: Tonga score twice to take a 14-7 lead over England at halftime.

The Kiwi crowd are right behind their pacific neighbours as they hope to see last year's champions fall early on in the tournament.

Could it be the second shock of the first day at the Wellington Sevens?

16:37: Argentina must have been reading this post - as they scored two tries to give their Wellington sevens campaign a much needed boost.

Argentina beat France 17-5, tonight's match with Samoa will determine who finish's on top of Pool D.

16:22: Argentina and France are locked at 5 all at the end of the first half.

A surprise to see the latin dazzlers struggling to put away sides such as Canada and now France.

Usually the Argentinians are an outside chance at this tournament, at the moment they don't look to be in with a chance for the plate final.

Will they turn it around in the second seven?

16:14: Two late tries from Pesamino and new man Afa Aiono was enough to see Samoa home 27-14 after Canada fought back to trail by three points.

Unlucky for Canada who had the wind in their sails after scoring a converted try early in the second half.

The men in blue are shaping up to be a serious threat for the tournament's top honours.

16:05: Samoa lead their second Pool D encounter with Canada 17-7.

Mikaele Pesamino and Reupena Levasa again is causing problems for their opponents.

Levasa sits at the top of the try tree in the Wellington sevens scoring three tries in their first match against France.

15:43: South Africa produce a storming first half display to lead 31-0 over Pacific Island minnows Niue.

Paul Treu's side showed all their experience in the opening stanza with five tries inside the first seven minutes.

15:30: Nafi Tuitavake and DJ Forbes hammer the nail in the Welsh coffin with a try a piece to win 29-5 in their opening match.

New Zealand make a confident start to their "home tournament" with a five try victory over a limp Welsh side.

The Kiwis looked the classier team throughout the match, giving many home fans a positive outlook for their side's upcoming matches.

New Zealand last won the Wellington sevens in 2008 with a 22-17 win over Samoa in the final.

15:18: New Zealand's Sherwin Stowers shows the Wellington crowd he has speed to burn wheels with a pair of tries in the first stanza.

The De La Salle College old boy will be the go-to-man for the Kiwis in this tournament having set alight Dubai and George with his blistering speed.

17-0 to New Zealand at halftime, Wales need to score first if they want to get back in the game.

The home side can bury them with one more try of their own.

15:05: The crowd has built up to a decent size as the Australians prove too strong for PNG winning 31-12.

A terrific performance from the Aussies who came home in full force scoring three tries in the second half after initially failing to settle into the match.

New Zealand fans will have to wait no longer with their side about to take the field against Pool A opponents Wales.

15:00: Australia fightback to lead PNG 12-7 after a neat opening try from the new guineans saw the Aussies fall behind early.

The crowd are right behind PNG with a chorus of boos filling the air each time the green and gold cross the tryline.

14:45: Jinky side-steps, goose steps, chip kicks - Fiji pull out the entire trick bag as they beat Scotland 36-5.

Fiji playmaker William Ryder scored one and looked in good nick despite barely getting out of fourth gear.

As usual the Fijians have plenty of supporters in baby blue - as always they will be in full voice till tomorrow's knock out stages when the party heats up.

Fiji legend Waisale Serevi's Papua New Guinea coached side meet Australia in the next match with the home side New Zealand to follow.

14:35: Fiji stamp their mark on the Wellington leg with plenty of happy-go-lucky Fiji style football to lead 17-0 over Scotland at halftime.

The Fijians would have scored two more tries if it not had been for a couple of handling errors.

It's all FIji in this one, can Scotland calm the white and black storm in the second half?

14:25: Kenya squeeze out Tonga's hopes of a win with a well struck drop goal penalty to win 15-7.

A tight game for both sides with the Tongan side having a steady backing from home fans.

Big guns Fiji play Scotland in the next match.

14:15: Kenya sits in front of Tonga 12-7 at halftime after falling behind early on after 2 minutes of play.

In other fashion news: It's good to see that Tonga, Kenya, and Samoa have joined in on the fashion antics at Wellington, unveiling new playing kits for the tournament.

However if online readers were expecting Stade-Francais inspired jersey the sides have stayed more conventional adding traditional motifs and patterns to their playing strips.

14:05: England show the Americans who's boss with a thumping 31-7 victory over their Atlantic counterparts.

A superb opening game for the English showing plenty of gritty defence and slick attacking rugby in the first hit out on day one.

Gollings and co. show last year's champs mean business with that victory.

13:55:2009 Wellington sevens champions England lead U.S.A 10 nil at halftime.

Ben Gollings is back for the English Roses as capatin with his experience sure to have a big say in his side's fourtunes for the tournament.

The crowd is slowling trickling in to the stadium, home side New Zeland will play in an hour's time.

13:40: The first upset of the tournament occurs with Canada thrashing Argentina 26-7.

The North Americans killing off their South American opponents with some entertaining football.

Argentina's coach will be livid about their poor start to the Wellington Sevens with his side fifth on the IRB sevens placings.

13:30: The Canucks of Canada lead Argentina 7-0 at halftime.

Argentina nearly score with a full field try in the last play in the half, but a knock-on was ruled 20 metres out from the tryline.

The canadians get let off the hook with that one, the Argentine side need to score first in the next stanza.

13:20: Samoa close out the first match 31-19 with inspirational playmaker Uale Mai scoring in the last 20 seconds to quell French hopes of an upset.

Samoa looked shaky early on with the French force going tit for tat, matching their counterparts on every score with both sides at 19-19 all with 2 minutes to play.

Argentina vs Canada up next.

13:10: A fast start from both teams see's them locked at 12 all at halftime.

Samoa scored first with speedster Mikaele Pesamino dotting down inside 30 seconds of the encounter, Reupena Levasa also adding a five pointer.

France hasn't been afraid to fight fire with fire using their speeding outsides to reply with two sharp tries of their own.

Both sides missed a conversion, a crucial miss in such a tight match.

Will the French cause an upset?

13:00: Samoa face France in the opening match of the day with the South Sea Islanders looking to repeat their Wellington sevens title victory of 2007.

Ranked fourth in the IRB sevens standings after two legs, the pacific side are favourites in the tournament opener.

* All the latest on the first day of action at the NZI Sevens in Wellington, the third leg in the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series.

Stay with nzherald.co.nz as we update you on the action from Westpac Stadium.