8.55am
HONG KONG - New Zealand will play Tonga in the quarter-finals of the Hong Kong sevens today after convincing wins over the United States and Namibia yesterday.
Unfancied Kenya, taking inspiration from their cricketing comrades, scored a remarkable 15-12 win over Australia to join NZ, Tonga, England, Western Samoa, South Africa,
Fijia and Australia in the quarter-finals.
New Zealand, the world sevens circuit leaders, brushed aside pool A rivals the United States 57-7 and Namibia 46-0 to follow their opening win of the tournament against Malaysia yesterday.
The 38-3 victory over Malaysia came at some cost though, with Anthony Tuitavake suffering a nasty shoulder injury which coach Gordon Tietjens expects will keep him on the sidelines for a couple of months.
Scans taken after the game revealed the North Harbour back had a portion of muscle ripped from his shoulder bone, meaning his Hong Kong foray was over.
"He will be out for a few months," Tietjens said.
Today's one-way results over the United States and Namibia saw New Zealand ease into their work and largely reach the goals set by Tietjens, who was disappointed with his side's performance against Malaysia.
"It was definitely a big improvement over our effort against Malaysia when we made too many mistakes and fundamental errors," he said of the nine tries-to-one romp over the United States.
"Today we certainly played some good rugby and made use of the full width of the field."
Craig de Goldi and Roy Kinikinilau led the way with three tries apiece as New Zealand earned a 31-0 halftime lead on the way to their commanding win over the United States.
Karl TeNana, Nathaniel Walker and Justin Wilson accounted for the other tries while Amasio Valence slotted five conversions and Walker one.
Against African nation Namibia, Tietjens' team made an immediate impact when Bay of Plenty teenager Liam Messam scored a try just 14 seconds into the match after latching on to the kickoff.
Walker and Tafai Ioasa crossed for two of the next three tries as they built a 24-0 halftime lead which they extended further after the resumption against limited opposition.
- NZPA, HERALD STAFF
