Paris Sevens: Heavyweights off to a blistering start

Kenya, New Zealand, France, Fiji, Samoa, South Africa and Argentina all impressed in their wins to build up a head of steam for the rest of the competition.

In the big match of the round, Seabelo Senatla was the star of the show in South Africa’s win over England in Pool C.

France's Virimi Vakatawa was another standout performer on the day as France crushed Canada 42-5 in front of their home crowd.

Pool A

(Kenya, Portugal, New Zealand, Russia)

Portugal and Kenya kicked off the day's action and it was the team from Europe who surprisingly looked the stronger of the two teams.

Portugal raced to a 14-0 lead after two great tries, before Collins Injera got a try back to reduce the deficit to nine points just before half-time.

The Portuguese lead was cut further in the beginning of the second half when Samual Oliech scored after a great break by Injera.

Kenya then took the lead with just over four minutes left when Injera eased over for his team's third try. That lead was extended to 10 points a minute later when Willy Ambaka crossed over for try No.4 for the Kenyans.

Kenya sealed victory just before full-time when Humphrey Kayange cantered in for a try for a 29-14 win.

In the other match in the group, Russia took a surprise lead against New Zealand in the first minute when they went over for a score. However, it was all on way traffic after that when New Zealand scored three tries to go into the half-time break 21-5 ahead.

It was more of the same at the start of the second half when Lewis Ormond went over for his second try and New Zealand's third to increase the lead to 23 points.

Dylan Collier was the next to score as Russia had no answer to New Zealand's class on the field.

Russia did have the last say in the game with a try, but New Zealand were victors in the end with a 35-10 win

Results:

Kenya 29-14 Portugal

New Zealand 35-10 Russia

Pool B

(Fiji, Scotland, Samoa, Wales)

Fiji opened the scoring in the first minute when Josua Tuisova went over for an easy converted try.

However, Scotland hit back soon after when Glenn Bryce ran in for try to reduce the deficit to just two points.

Fiji then opened up a nine-point lead one minute before the break when Tuisova showed his class once again to canter over for his second try of the game. Jasa Veremalua then scored his team's third try on the half-time hooter and Fiji went into the break 16 points ahead.

Samisoni Viriviri showed a clean pair of heels in the second half to race away for his team's fourth try three minutes into the second half - a try which took the game away from the Scots.

Fiji scored a further two tries before the end of the game to win 38-12 in the end.

In the match between Samoa and Wales, Siaosi Asofolau scored within the opening 20 seconds to give the Pacific island side an early lead.

Samoa went 14-0 up a minute later when that man Asofolau scored his second try in the corner.

Wales' first points in the match came via a Luke Treharne try, which brought the Welsh back into the game with just two minutes left in the first half.

However, it was Samoa who would have the final say in the half when Samoa Toloa ran in for a try, which meant Samoa went into the break leading 19-5.  

Just like his compatriot, Asofolau, Tolau got his second try in the second minute of the second half as Samoa built up a buffer between themselves and the Welsh.

Tila Mealoi scored Samoa's fifth try a few moments as Wales defence looked more and more porous as the game went on.

Alefosio Tapili, Alamanda Motuga and Faalemiga Selesele also added their names to the scoresheet for the Samoans with Lloyd Lewis getting a consolation try for the Welsh. In the end Samoa won 52-10

Results:

Fiji 38-12 Scotland

Samoa 52-10 Wales

Pool C

(South Africa, England, Australia, Brazil)

England made an abrasive start in their match against South Africa and were rewarded when Charlie Hayter went over for try in the corner.

England then became their own worst enemy when they gave the ball away deep inside their own half, which allowed Seabelo Senatla the opportunity to score an easy try under the poles.

Senatla scored his second try just before half-time after some great pressure and after the conversion by Cecil Afrika, the BlitzBoks had and eight-point lead at the break.

The first few minutes of the second half was an arm-wrestle, but that was before Senatla scored his second try after sustained pressure to take the game further away from the English.

With less than a minute left Senatla got his third try and his team's fourth to secure a convincing 24-5 win. 

In the other match in the Pool, Brazil made life hard for Australia in the opening few minutes of their match.

However, Australia's experience eventually shone through when they scored three unanswered tries to lead 17-0 at half time.

The Aussies scored another three converted tries in the second half to win 38-0 in the end.

Results:

South Africa 24-5 England

Australia 38-0 Brazil

Pool D

(Argentina, USA, France, Canada) 

Franco Sabato stunned the USA early on when he gave Argentina the lead with a try in the opening match of Pool D.

After some good handling, Rodrigo Etchart extended Argentina’s lead when he went over for a try with three minutes left in the first half.

Etchart then scored his second try within a minute of his first to give his team 17-0 lead with only second before the half-time whistle.

Some great football skills from Axel Muller saw Argentina increase their lead in the opening minute with try as The USA were nowhere in the game. 

Javier Rojas was the next to score for Argentina after some great pressure play in the USA 22 before Matias Moroni marked his return to Sevens with a try of his own. In the end it was a 36-0 win for the Argentinians.

In the other Pool D game, Canada made a great start in their game with hosts France

Adam Zaruba got the scoring underway with a try, which gave Canada an early lead in the game.

A few minutes later, the French fans were on their feet when Virimi Vakatawa burst through the Canadian defence to score his team's opening try.

France captain Terry Bouhraoua then pounced on a mistake to race way for his team's second try with the first half winding down. At half-time France were leading 14-5.

In the second half, Steeve Barry scored a try in front of his home crowd to increase the French lead, but had to thank the Hard work of Vakatawa in the build up to his score.

Vakatawa then had a hand in another try, this time it was Stephen Parez who benefitted from a great offload from the big man to score.

Bouhraoua scored his second try soon after before Julien Candelon finished off the scoring with a try in the corner to seal a 42-5 win for France.

Results:

Argentina 36-0 USA

France 42-5 Canada