Top seeds unbeaten in Hong Kong
(IRB.COM) Friday 27 March 2009
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Fiji were one of four sides not to concede a try on day one
The top seeds all proceeded unbeaten past their opening test on day one of the
Cathay Pacific/ Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens in wet and slippery conditions.
England, New Zealand, Argentina and Fiji scored 26 unanswered tries between them against China, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei, while South Africa and Kenya were pushed harder by Korea and West Indies but also won through.
HONG KONG RESULTS >>
HONG KONG POOLS >>
At the midway stage in the season South Africa and England lie in joint-top position on 60 Series points. The Boks won the opening two events in Dubai and George, England hit back with victory in Wellington and were then beaten to the Cup in San Diego by Argentina, who lie just behind New Zealand in fourth place overall so far.
With 30 points on offer to the Cup winners here in Hong Kong, the 24-team event could go a long way to deciding the outcome of the Series.
With only one side guaranteed a place in the Cup quarter finals from each pool, the onus is on every team to score as many points as possible in Hong Kong.
- LISTEN: Total Rugby in Hong Kong (5 mins) >>
Pool A
Kim Won-Yong brought one of the biggest cheers of the day by finishing off a fine sweeping move for Korea against South Africa and the two sides were locked at 7-7 after seven minutes after Philip Snyman's equaliser. The second half was more one-sided, the Boks scoring four more unanswered tries through Mbiyozo, Ebersohn, Benjamin and Brown, but the Koreans put up a brave fight against the Series leaders to go down 29-7.
France also won their opening match against the battling Teros of Uruguay, 17-5. Joffrey Michel put the French ahead early on, Santiago Gibernau levelled but Anthony Poujol's try put the French 12-5 ahead of the break. Michel's second on 10 minutes made the game safe for the French.
Pool B
England started their Hong Kong campaign in confident fashion, beating China 54-0. Nineteen-yearold Dan Caprice scored a hat trick on debut and Josh Drauniniu and Kevin Barrett each scored twice in the eight-try win.
Newly crowned World champions Wales also survived a potential banana skin against Japan, running out 14-5 winners with a much-changed team. The Japanese scored first through Kilryong So but the Welsh struck either side of the half, first through Ifan Evans and then James Lewis.
Pool C
Lote Raikabula scored three tries and Victor Vito two as New Zealand outclassed Sri Lanka in the wet of Hong Kong, scoring nine unanswered tries to win their opening game 59-0.
Australia were impressive in defying the crowd and Zimbabwe to win 33-5. Luke Morahan scored twice to become the leading try-scorer this season with 22 and there were further scores for Will Brock, Damon Murphy and newcomer Domonic Shipperley. Zimbabwe's consolation try at the death came from Daniel Hondo.
Pool D
USA Sevens winners Argentina were clinical in seeing off Hong Kong 28-0 in their Pool D opener, Mariano Dobal grabbing a brace of tries.
In the group's other opening encounter Tonga triumphed against Portugal 17-5 and look serious challengers to the Pumas on day two. Some of the Portuguese players were clearly feeling the effects of their one-point Rugby World Cup qualifying victory against Romania in Bucharest last weekend, but Tonga were worthy winners. David Mateus cancelled out Peasipa Moimoi's early score but further tries by Vaea T Poteki and Sosaia Palei saw the islanders through.
Pool E
Former World Champions Fiji were held initially by Chinese Taipei but broke loose after five minutes to score their first try and went on to win 33-0, Pio Tuwai scoring two of their five tries.
Samoa also got off to a winning start, although they were made to work far harder by Canada, coming from behind to win 14-10. Canada captain Phil Mack scored either side of the half to edge ahead of Alafoti Fa'aosiliva's try but Lolo Lui struck late in the second half for Rudi Moors' men.
Pool F
The West Indies adjusted far better to the conditions early on in the opening match against Kenya and almost pulled off an upset in Pool F. Kicking for territory and tackling aggressively, they registered the first try of the tournament through Claudius Butts and led 5-0 at the break.
Benjamin Ayimba's half time talk had the desired effect though, the Kenyans replying with three tries by Injera, Kayange and Asego before Tom Healy's late consolation to make the final score 17-10, a fine effort by the Joe Whipple's Windies team and relief for the Kenyans.
The other match in the pool was closer with Scotland edging USA 19-17. New American captain Kevin Swiryn scored twice for his side and Jone Naciqa also touched down but former Wales rugby league international Hefin O'Hare was the inspiration for the Scots, scoring two tries and setting one up for Roddy Grant.
Wallaroos win HK women's title
Australia's World Champion Wallaroos swept all before them en route to victory in the Cable & Wireless Hong Kong women's tournament.
The Wallaroos, who beat New Zealand to the World title in Dubai earlier this month, overcame Tunisia, Singapore, Guam and Arabian Gulf in their pool, before overcoming World Cup Bowl winners China 24-7 in the final with tries from Rebecca Tavo (2), Cheryl Soon and Debby Hodgkinson. China's fine try came from Yang Hong.
"It's a fairytale, I'm so proud of the way the girls have performed throughout this tournament and we're certainly filling up the trophy cabinet at the ARU," said captain Cheryl Soon.
"We knew China were going to be physical, we knew they would be good at the breakdown and they dominated I thought, we had to get it out to our backs and we did that.
"I've been here six times and never won it before, we've always been bridesmaids, so to win this here is really special."
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