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Fiji’s Alosio Naduva scores a try against Wales at the Hamilton Sevens. Photo: AFP

Hamilton Sevens: Fiji beat Australia to top pool A on day one as England stumble

  • Fiji, New Zealand, South Africa and USA record perfect starts
  • Shock defeat by Samoa helps see England drop into Challenge Trophy

The quarter-final line-ups for the Hamilton Sevens are set with Fiji, South Africa, the USA and New Zealand all dominating on day one.

The biggest shock on Saturday was England’s 12-10 defeat by Samoa in pool B, and a 19-7 loss to the USA ensured they will drop into the last eight in the Challenge Trophy.

Fiji edged Australia 26-19 in their heavyweight clash to decide pool A, making it three wins from three thanks to tries from Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Aminiasi Tuimaba, Kalione Nasoko and Mesulame Kunavula.

Gareth Baber’s men had earlier run in eight tries to dispatch Wales 54-7 and crossed five times in beating Argentina 33-24.

Australia had edged Argentina 17-12 in their first game and then scored four tries to beat Wales 26-5.

Champions the last time out in Cape Town, Fiji will now face Canada in the Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.

South Africa will battle Samoa, New Zealand will take on Australia in an early blockbuster, and the USA will face Scotland.

Finalists in the first two events of the 2018-19 World Sevens Series, the USA continued their strong form with a 29-7 win over Tonga and a 34-14 victory against Samoa.

The Eagles then piled the misery on for England, with Madison Hughes, Stephen Tomasin and Carlin Isles crossing in a 19-7 victory.

“It was a physical day, that’s for sure,” Danny Barrett told World Rugby Sevens. “I think we pride ourselves on our own physicality and being able to dominate that part of the game.

“But today’s just the start. It’s day one for a reason, we’re onto the knockouts for tomorrow.”

Samoa won the Challenge Trophy in Dubai and Cape Town but will now get a chance to have a crack at the main prize, thanks to a 28-12 win against Tonga in their final group game.

New Zealand’s Andrew Knewstubb reaches out to score a try against Canada at the Hamilton Sevens. Photo: AFP

South Africa began their day with a 29-10 win against Kenya, then beat France 17-5 and saw off pool C runners-up Scotland 26-7 in a match which included a wonder try from Werner Kok.

“The silly mistakes we make, it’s gonna cost us at the end of the day,” Branco Du Preez told World Rugby.

“Werner Kok is a phenomenal player and I think if we keep on supporting each other and having each other’s backs we can go far in this tournament.

“I think we’ve had a solid start, we just have to focus on the small things we want to do and take more control of the game and then take it from there.”

Australia’s Nick Malouf competes for the high ball with George Gasson of Wales. Photo: AFP

Dubai champions New Zealand scored eight tries to crush Japan 52-0 in their first pool D game, then put seven scores past Canada in a 49-10 win, and finished off with a 24-0 defeat of Spain.

Sione Molia’s final try meant Spain missed out on finishing second, as it made their goal difference inferior to Canada’s.

In the Challenge Trophy quarter-finals, Argentina face Japan, Kenya take on Tonga, Spain battle Wales and England are up against France.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: England fall to Samoans as big guns flex muscles
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