Rugby sevens: NZ make quarters despite hiccup

New Zealand, winners of last week's opening round of the world sevens rugby series in Dubai, made the quarter-finals of this week's round in South Africa despite an opening pool match loss to Samoa.

New Zealand recovered from the 22-24 defeat in a rematch of last weekend's Dubai final to beat the United States 57-0 and Wales 17-10 in their other pool C matches.

New Zealand were to meet England in quarter-finals overnight while Samoa will play Argentina. The other top eight matches see Kenya play Australia and Fiji take on defending series champions South Africa.

New Zealand won 24-12 when the teams clashed in the Dubai final and made a dream start in the Western Cape city of George with leading try scorer Sherwin Showers dotting down 20 seconds into the opening half.

But Samoa stormed back to compile 24 unanswered points through tries by Mikaele Pesamino, Alafoti Fa'osiliva and Ruepeni Levasa, with Lolo Lui converting them all and adding a drop goal.

After leading 17-5 at halftime, the Samoans added their third try before fading in the closing stages and Stowers, Save Tokula and Toby Arnold crossed for New Zealand but only one try was converted.

With two points separating the long-time rivals, the hooter sounded and the Samoans began celebrating, only for the French referee to insist play must continue.

Any chance New Zealand had of victory was crushed when they failed to secure possession from the kick-off and Samoa kicked into touch.

South Africa moved into the quarter-finals along with Pool A rivals Kenya, who held them to a 12-12 draw. Mzwandile Stick sent over a long, late conversion to deny their fellow Africans a famous victory.

Innocent Simiyu and Humphrey Kayange had touched down in the opening period to put the Kenyans in the driving seat but Stick and Deon Helberg both went over as the hosts fought back.

South Africa had beaten France 38-14 and Zimbabwe 29-5 while Kenya thrashed the Zimbabweans 50-0 and waltzed past France 33-7.

Dubai marked the start of the eight-tournament 2009-2010 Sevens season and after reaching the semifinals, England came to South Africa confident of making an impression.

In their opening outing they tore Tunisia apart to win 45-0 with the losers not helped by the first-half yellow card shown to Amor Hamdi for tackling an airborne opponent.

England took 30 seconds to forge ahead with Jake Abbott snapping up an inside pass to go over and he crossed the tryline again.

Christian Wade, an 18-year-old considered the rising star of the England squad, also scored a try and tries from Dan Norton and Wade established a 33-0 interval cushion.

Lifting their foot off the accelerator, England added just two tries in the second half.

Fiji, the other losing semifinalists in Dubai, toyed with under-strength Portugal in a 50-7 victory.

Towering Pio Tuwai led the eight-try romp with a couple and there was one each from Osea Kolinisau, William Ryder, Watisoni Votu, Emosi Vucago, Jiuta Lutumailagi and Sireli Naqelevuki for the Fijians who led 24-7 at the break.