The desert was awash with points as New Zealand effortlessly romped into the quarterfinals of the Dubai sevens this morning in the United Arab Emirates.
New Zealand recorded three easy wins on the opening day of the tournament, scoring 25 tries and 167 points in the process while conceding just 12
points from tries by Portugal (converted) and Sri Lanka.
The two-time defending champions' closest match of the day was their first, which ended in a 40-7 victory over Portugal.
The Gordon Tietjens-coached side scored six tries, with skipper Eric Rush, Amasio Valence, Orene Ai'i, Justin Wilson, Karl Te Nana and Tafai Ioasa doing the honours. Ai'i and Justin Wilson kicked two conversions each.
New Zealand's second match resulted in the highest score of the first day of the tournament, with Sri Lanka ruthlessly crushed 77-5.
Wilson and Bay of Plenty speedster Ross Martin bagged hat tricks among New Zealand's 11 tries, while Mana Ashford (two), Chris Masoe, Nick Collins and late replacement Todd Blythe also scored.
Just for good measure, Ashford kicked nine conversions to finish the game with a personal tally of 28 points. Wilson also contributed two conversions.
Scotland had won their first two matches to set up the pool decider, but the British side proved no match for New Zealand as they slumped to a 50-0 defeat.
Masoe and Ai'i both scored twice in New Zealand's third win of the day while Craig De Goldi, Valence, Wilson and Martin were the other tryscorers.
Valence kicked three conversions; Ai'i and Martin contributed one apiece.
Although the opening day's action has barely tested the side, New Zealand team manager Tony Ward insisted that his side's participation at Dubai was worth it.
"Our presence has certainly been appreciated, given what went on in the weeks leading up to the competition," Ward said.
"This tournament has also provided valuable preparation prior to the start of the IRB World Sevens circuit.
"And it's not just ourselves who have benefited. Any team that has played here and then goes on to the South African sevens at Durban next week will have a big advantage over the teams that didn't come."
New Zealand have drawn Korea in tonight's quarterfinal, which kicks off at 9.20pm (New Zealand time).
The other quarterfinalists are Samoa, South Africa, Russia, Morocco, Tonga and Scotland.
The final will be played tomorrow morning at 3.45am (New Zealand time).
- NZPA
The desert was awash with points as New Zealand effortlessly romped into the quarterfinals of the Dubai sevens this morning in the United Arab Emirates.
New Zealand recorded three easy wins on the opening day of the tournament, scoring 25 tries and 167 points in the process while conceding just 12
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