All Blacks Sevens close in on Olympic qualification

Rieko Ioane was in on the tries as the All Blacks Sevens moved into the quarterfinals of the Glasgow Sevens overnight. Photo / Anthony Au-Yeung

The All Blacks Sevens are on the cusp of Olympic qualification after topping their pool in the Scotland Sevens in Glasgow overnight.

World Series leaders South Africa and Fiji are through to tonight's Cup quarter-finals, and New Zealand should only have to beat Scotland in their quarter-final to cement a coveted top four spot, and with it a Rio berth, with one tournament to spare.

New Zealand defeated Kenya 22-7, Samoa 26-19 and South Africa 24-19 to cement a showdown with hosts Scotland.

South Africa's Blitzbokke will face Fiji in an enticing quarter-final, while Canada will play England, who hold the all-important fourth position, and Australia meet USA.

Waikato flyer Joe Webber crossed twice in New Zealand's win against Kenya before Auckland teenager Rieko Ioane scored a hat-trick to help Gordon Tietjens' side recover from 0-19 to win 26-19 against Samoa and confirm their place in the quarter-finals.

Scott Curry, Ambrose Curtis, Tim Mikkelson and Sherwin Stowers scored in their pool decider with South Africa, who have been New Zealand's nemesis through much of the 2014-15 series.

South Africa had to work hard to earn their Olympic qualification, edging Samoa 19-12 and Kenya 15-5 after being down 5-0 early.

"It's a big moment for us," said South Africa's Frankie Horne. "We are very privileged to have made it this far. We have worked hard this season to qualify and it's an historical event for the game of sevens to be in the Olympics. We thoroughly deserve it but it's a great privilege and a great honour for us to be there and represent the game of sevens."

Australia won Pool A, despite a 17-all draw with England, after wins over France (38-7) and Russia (31-5). Australia are fifth, nine points adrift of England, and are fighting hard to leapfrog their old rivals in the next week.

SKY's Rugby Channel has live coverage from 9.30pm, while there is live streaming on worldrugby.org

New Zealand's pool results: New Zealand 24 South Africa 19, New Zealand 26 Samoa 19, New Zealand 22 Kenya 7