United States knock out Australia from the World Sevens Series in South Africa
United States knock out Australia from the World Sevens Series in South Africa
From correspondents in George, South Africa
December 06, 2008 THE United States have denied Australia a place in the World Sevens Series quarter-finals after defeating them 28-26 in South Africa on Saturday (EDT).
The other surprise-packets were Portugal who qualified for the quarter-finals by winning all three of their pool matches.
With a team made up largely of players who specialise in the 15-man code, Portugal kicked off their day with a 14-12 win over African giant-killers Kenya and followed that up with a first ever triumph over Sevens powerhouse Samoa 19-17.
They then beat Wales 19-17 to top Pool D.
World Sevens series title holders New Zealand, made up for their slip-up in the semi-finals against England in Dubai a week ago by beating them in their final Pool A match of the day, 19-7.
New Zealand also picked up comfortable victories against France (40-5) and Tunisia (36-0) and DJ Forbes' team finished top of their pool with England second.
Hosts and champions from Dubai last week, South Africa, in their quest to win their first home tournament, advanced to the quarter-finals after a perfect record on day one.
They started with a 24-0 win over the USA and followed that up with an even better display in beating Georgia 31-5, but were made to sweat in the last match of the day against Australia, eventually running out 17-7 winners.
Sunday's (EDT) quarter-finals will see New Zealand tackle the United States, Portugal facing Argentina, Fiji clashing with Samoa and arguably the biggest of the matches, South Africa coming up against the team they beat in the final in Dubai last weekend, England.
Results and tables
(played, won, points difference, points)
Pool A
New Zealand 40 France 5
England 42 Tunisia 7
New Zealand 36 Tunisia 0
England 21 France 7
France 19 Tunisia 14
New Zealand 19 England 7
New Zealand 3 3 83 9
England 3 2 37 7
France 3 1 -44 5
Tunisia 3 0 -76 3
Pool B
South Africa 24 USA 0
Australia 26 Georgia 5
South Africa 31 Georgia 5
Australia 26 USA 28
USA 38 Georgia 0
South Africa 17 Australia 7
South Africa 3 3 60 9
USA 3 2 16 7
Australia 3 1 9 5
Georgia 3 0 -85 3
Pool C
Fiji 31 Scotland 0
Argentina 26 Zimbabwe 12
Fiji 24 Zimbabwe 14
Argentina 14 Scotland 0
Scotland 7 Zimbabwe 17
Fiji 26 Argentina 7
Fiji 3 3 60 9
Argentina 3 2 9 7
Zimbabwe 3 1 -14 5
Scotland 3 0 -55 3
Pool D
Samoa 31 Wales 5
Kenya 12 Portugal 14
Samoa 17 Portugal 19
Kenya 19 Wales 12
Wales 17 Portugal 19
Samoa 17 Kenya 12
Portugal 3 3 6 9
Samoa 3 2 29 7
Kenya 3 1 0 5
Wales 3 0 -35 3
Agence France-Presse
