NZ to face England in sevens' quarter-finals

5.30pm

CARDIFF - New Zealand stormed their way through pool play in the International Rugby Board sevens tournament this morning (NZ time) but were to face an unexpected quarterfinal foe.

They were to play England in the quarterfinals early tomorrow morning in a repeat of last year's final at Cardiff, won 24-12 by New Zealand.

The last time the two teams met was in the Hong Kong sevens final two months ago when IRB series leaders New Zealand were beaten by the second-placed English 22-17.

A slightly-weakened England were shock losers to host Wales 14-26 this morning, throwing the seedings into turmoil.

Argentina provided the sternest test of the New Zealand side today before going down 10-28. New Zealand rattled up 100 unanswered points in beating their other pool opponents Spain (64-0) and Portugal (36-0).

Fiji only managed second in pool C after being upset 17-21 by Samoa and will have to face pool D winners South Africa in the quarterfinals.

- NZPA