Winning start for NZ in Hong Kong

10.00am

A shoulder injury to Anthony Tuitavake was the main concern for the New Zealand team after their 38-3 win over Malaysia in the opening round of the IRB sevens series tournament in Hong Kong last night.

"He's gone off to have a scan and get it looked at," New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens told NZPA.

"It's a real concern because he's a very influential player in the side so it would certainly be a blow if we lose him."

Tietjens gave the first-up effort a "pass mark," after New Zealand's opening pool match.

"We made some basic fundamental errors but it's quite common sometimes in the very first game when you're getting combinations going. It was convincing enough," he said.

Tietjens thought all the team played well but singled out newcomer Charles Baxter, who scored three tries on his international debut.

The tournament is stretched over three days with New Zealand playing the US and Namibia in their remaining pool matches today. Playoff matches will be played on Sunday.

"It's always difficult first up. It's the nature of it that the very first game is probably the most difficult of any during the week to get things going," Tietjens said.

Results:

Pool A

New Zealand 38 Malaysia 3

Namibia 35 USA 10

Pool B

England 52 Singapore 0

Tonga 26 Chinese Taipei 17

Pool C

Fiji 33 Russia 5

Canada 24 Japan 12

Pool D

Australia 40 China 7

Kenya 15 Hong Kong 10

Pool E

South Africa 54 Sri Lanka 0

Scotland 28 South Korea 12

Pool F

Samoa 41 Netherlands 7

Wales 10 Cook Islands 10

- NZPA