Big guns through to semis

Fiji will meet South Africa in the first of the semifinals, after Fiji were made to work hard for their 31-26 sudden-death extra time win over the United States and the BlitzBoks breezed past Wales 31-0.

New Zealand booked their place with a commanding win over Samoa, where two late consolation scores made the margin (17-12) look respectable - but in reality the Kiwis dominated for all but the last two minutes. They will meet trans-Tasman rivals Australia, who came back from 0-12 down early in the first half to eventually win 24-17. 

We bring you all the quarterfinal action!

Cup quarterfinals

In the first quarterfinal Martin Iosefo the cat among the pigeons as he burst through for the Americans inside the first minute, forcing Fiji on the backfoot from the outset. Ben Pinkleman then went over in the fourth minute, as the Yanks continued to dominate possession and expose the nervous Fijian defence. A couple of questionable refereeing calls then handed possession to the Fijians and Savenaca Rawaca made it count. Another big refereeing call reduced Fiji to six men and Garrett Bender stretched America's lead to 19-5 at the half-time break.

The second half started with a couple of silly errors by both teams, a combination of fatigue and nerves, but Fiji scored first - Kitione Dawai going over with a chip-'n-chase. The Fijians now attacked the Yanks at the breakdown and won a number penalties, with Osea Kolinisau making it count as he drew Fiji level at 19-all. The Yanks hit straight back by using Perry Baker's pace and he did not disappoint - giving the North Americans the lead. However, Jasa Veremalua drew Fiji level from the restart with some sublime interplay. There was just enough time for the restart, but no further score - forcing the game into sudden-death extra time.

Rawaca settled the matter inside the opening minute of extra time, as the Yanks failed to control the ball and the Fijian skills exposed their unstructured defence.

Wales, playing in their first Cup quarterfinal of the season, had only beaten South Africa once in 39 previous meetings.

The season's leading try-scorer Seabelo Senatla showed his blistering pace and growing reputation as he beat the cover defence on the outside to put South Africa ahead early in their encounter with Wales. The BlitzBoks' famed defence then kept the Welsh pinned inside their half and won a turnover, with Rosko Specman scoring twice in quick succession as the South Africans took a 21-0 lead into the half-time break.

Albertus Smith continued the rout with the opening try of the second half, with South Africa's defence then successfully withstanding a period of Welsh possession. The Welsh did not help their cause with a series of unforced errors and poor options. Bryan Habana sealed the 31-0 win with a try less than a minute from time.

It was a nervous start in the encounter between Pacific rivals New Zealand and Samoa, with Sam Dickson eventually breaking the deadlock in the fourth minute. New Zealand captain Tim Mikkelson powered over for the second for his country, as the Kiwis took a 10-0 lead into the half-time break - as they dominated possession and controlled the tempo of the game.

It was an error-riddled start to the second half by both teams, before Gillies kaka - from a quick tap-'n-go - raced 80 metres to give New Zealand a 17-0 lead. Samoa continued to struggle with ball retention, but Tomasi Alosio eventually found enough space to pen the Pacific Islanders' account and Alex Samoa collected the restart to sprint clear for a second consolation try on the stroke of full-time - making the final score 17-12.

In the final quarterfinal Dougie Fife got Scotland on the board in the third minute - through a power game that saw them rush at the Australians in the narrow channels, continuously drawing in defenders. From the restart Gavin Lowe scored Scotland's second to rock the fancied Australians. Scott Wight was then sent to the sin bin for repeated infringements at the tackle and Lewis Holland got the Aussies on the board. It left the score at 12-5 to Canada at the break.

Alan Fa'alava'au got the Australians on level terms after a Scottish error from the restart, with Holland than going over from a quick tap-'n-go to put Australian in the lead for the first time, as the Scottish team's error count continued to mount. Those errors - which included a string of penalties at the breakdown - allowed Con Foley to stretch the lead to 24-12 after another penalty five metres from the Scottish line. Scotland got a late consolation try through James Fleming as the Aussies held on for a deserved 24-17 win.

Results:

Fiji 31-26 United States (in extra time - the teams were level 26-all at the end of regulation time)

South Africa 31-0 Wales

New Zealand 17-12 Samoa

Australia 24-17 Scotland

Bowl quarterfinals

Jonathan Laugel scored in referee's additional time as France came from behind - after Samuel Oliech  had given Kenya the lead in the 13th minute - for the French to sneak a dramatic 24-21 win over the African team.

Gaston Revol and Ramiro Moyano scored first-half tries, while Bautista Ezcurra went over in the second half as Argentina beat Russia 19-0.

Portugal were never going to be a match for England, even in their current state of under-performance. Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas, Thomas Bowen, Harry Glover, Phil Burgess and Richard de Carpentier shared in the try-rout.

Nathan Hirayama opened the scoring for the hosts in the third minute and added a second on the stroke of half-time as Canada took a 12-0 lead over Brazil into the break. Hirayama added a third on the stroke of full-time as Canada won 19-0.

Results:

Kenya 21-24 France

Argentina 19-0 Russia

England 31-0 Portugal

Canada 19-0 Brazil