Wellington Sevens: NZ trump SA for perfect first day

NZ squeezed past South Africa 19-7 to end unbeaten on day one in their Wellington Sevens campaign.

Series leaders New Zealand squeezed past defending champions South Africa 19-7 to cap the ideal start to their Wellington sevens rugby tournament campaign today.

The error-plagued hosts found some panache when they needed it over the final three minutes, breaking a 7-7 halftime deadlock through rapid-fire tries to backs Zar Lawrence and Kurt Baker.

The key result hands New Zealand a more favourable draw in tomorrow's quarterfinals, against Australia rather than the impressive Fiji -- who will lock horns with South Africa.

The intensity stepped up considerably from pool defeats of Wales, 29-5, and Niue, 49-5, when coach Gordon Tietjens' New Zealanders barely got out of second gear to qualify for the quarterfinals of the third leg of the International Rugby Board series.

Seeking a third-straight tournament win, they showed the sort of fitness that will be needed on day two with their strong finish against the skilled South Africans.

Star winger Sherwin Stowers was first to cross, busting two tackles and powering 40m under the crossbar.

However, South Africa had the possession edge and deservedly struck back through Ryno Benjamin on the stroke of halftime.

Earlier today, New Zealand's only rocky moment against Niue came in the opening minutes, when they conceded a try to Jason Karena.

However, it was one-way traffic from there, with Waikato pair Tim Mikkelson and Save Tokula -- the latter possessed of a devastating fend -- both bagging hat tricks in a seven-try romp.

The other try went to Nafi Tuitavake while Lote Raikabula slotted all seven conversion attempts in a comprehensive outing.

Stowers crossed for a double inside the first four minutes against Wales, ensuring there was no repeat of the Welsh boilover in the equivalent pool match here last year.

Unlike last year's match, when New Zealand paid for ill-discipline in a 28-17 defeat, the hosts were able to dominate possession and play a fluent style.

The early beneficiary was Stowers, who scored 15 tries in New Zealand's tournament wins in Dubai and South Africa two months ago. His pace was a constant menace out wide while Baker also displayed some silky touches.

Elsewhere, the first day was relatively bereft of upsets.

Once exception was Canada's early 26-7 thumping of Argentina which booked the Canadians an IRB series Cup quarterfinal berth for the first time in nearly three years.

There they will face defending champions England, who were impressive 24-10 victors over Kenya in a key late match to be unbeaten.

Pacific island powerhouses Fiji and Samoa also coasted through the opening day with three wins from three.

Fiji were a rampant attacking outfit, hammering Scotland 36-5, Papua New Guinea 41-0 and Australia 38-7 while Samoa accounted for France, Canada and Argentina to set themselves up for a possible semifinal against New Zealand.

- NZPA