Tokyo: Japan joins the big guns
Defending Tokyo champions Fiji and South Africa book their place in the Cup quarterfinals with 100 percent records on Day One of the Tokyo Sevens, Round Seven of the World Series and the Olympic qualifiers.
Hosts Japan reached their first Cup competition play-offs since 2000.
Defending champions Fiji and current series leaders South Africa are the only two sides with 100 percent records heading into the Cup quarterfinals, after an enthralling opening day of action.
The top two seeds in the standings will face Japan and Scotland respectively at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground.
Despite losing to France 24-19, Japan drew with Argentina 14-all and beat Samoa 26-12 to qualify.
In the other Cup quarterfinals New Zealand, who suffered only an eighth defeat in 61 matches to trans-Tasman rivals Australia, will face Canada and France await England.
Earlier Portugal and Scotland recorded shock wins over Australia.
Portugal caused the first major upset of the Tokyo Sevens defeating Australia 12-10, their first victory over Geraint John's
Kenya also beat their more fancied rivals United States 27-5 at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, with Collins Injera becoming the 11th player to reach 1000 series points.
We look at all the Day One action!
POOL A
(Fiji, Wales, England, Hong Kong)
A ruthless Fiji beat England 33-19 in the pool decider, as Ben Ryan's side booked their place in the quarterfinals - including doubles from Semi Kunatani and Vatemo Ravouvou.
A late double to England's Jeff Williams gave Simon Amor's side some momentum, but it was a second defeat in two weeks against the Pacific Islanders.
Earlier, the defending Tokyo champions beat Hong Kong 35-14, with Amenoni Nasilasila scoring twice, and Wales 19-10 - after the Hong Kong champions scored through Samisoni Viriviri, Osea Kolinisau and Savenaca Rawaca.
England played out a hard fought 10-7 win over Wales, but were full of running earlier in their 33-0 win over Hong Kong. Marcus Watson and Tom Bowen scored first half tries for a 12-0 lead before a second half brace to Dan Norton and a try to James Rodwell secured the win
Results:
England 33-0 Hong Kong
Fiji 19-10 Wales
England 10-7 Wales
Fiji 35-14 Hong Kong
Wales 31-5 Hong Kong
Fiji 33-19 England
POOL B
(New Zealand, Scotland, Australia, Portugal)
New Zealand topped Pool B, despite losing to Australia 14-19 in their final match.
After two shock losses to Portugal and Scotland Geraint John's side recorded a consolation 19-14 win over their trans-Tasman neighbours, only their eighth in 61 matches, thanks to tries from Con Foley, Greg Jeloudev and Cameron Clark.
The All Blacks earlier beat Portugal 26-7, after scoring six unanswered tries in a convincing 38-0 win over Scotland - beforeTim Mikkelson picked up a brace as the Scots struggled to contain Sir Gordon Tietjens' side.
Meanwhile Scotland joined New Zealand in the quarterfinals - defeating Portugal 17-12, who pulled off an unexpected 12-10 win over Australia earlier in the day. With scores locked at 7-all after a try apiece to Fraser Lyle and Nuno Guedes, Damien Hoyland scored a brace for Callum MacRae's side to advance to the final eight.
Portugal caused the first major upset of the Tokyo Sevens defeating Australia 12-10, their first victory over Geraint John's side since the Plate Final at the 2009 London Sevens as the Tokyo Sevens got underway.
Results:
Australia 10-12 Portugal
New Zealand 38-0 Scotland
Australia 14-17 Scotland
New Zealand 26-7 Portugal
Scotland 17-12 Portugal
New Zealand 14-19 Australia
POOL C
(South Africa, Canada, United States, Kenya)
Series leaders South Africa won all three of their matches - proving too strong for Canada, Kenya and United States.
The BlitzBoks scored four unanswered tries in their 26-0 win against Kenya, after earlier accounting for Canada 29-7 - Seabelo Senatla the star with three tries.
Kyle Brown, Cecil Afrika, Werner Kok and Ruhan Nel scored in the 24-15 win against Mike Friday's American side.
Despite losses to South Africa and the United States, Canada moved though to the quarterfinals, courtesy of a better points differential - after defeating Kenya 26-10 in their final pool match. A Ciaran Hearn brace gave Canada a 14-0 lead before Leonard Mugaisi posted first points for Kenya. Canada extended their lead through tries to Justin Douglas and Conor Trainor before another late try to Mugaisi.
A Carlin Isles hat-trick inspired the United States to a 22-14 win over Canada, after their earlier shock loss to Kenya.
The African nation, currently 12th in the overall series standings, upset seventh-placed United States with veteran Collins Injera scoring a brace in his side's 27-5 win, becoming the 11th player to reach 1000 series points in the process.
Results:
United States 5-27 Kenya
South Africa 29-7 Canada
United States 22-14 Canada
South Africa 26-0 Kenya
Canada 26-10 Kenya
South Africa 24-15 United States
POOL D
(Samoa, France, Argentina, Japan)
France defeated Japan 24-19 in their final pool match to secure a top eight berth, while the Brave Blossoms also qualified in second to reach a first Cup quarterfinal since 2000.
Les Blues started brightly, with tries to Manoel Dall Igna and Steeve Barry sparking the hosts into action. Japan responded thanks to tries from Yoshikazu Fujita and star Lomano Lemeki to lead 14-12 at half-time. Dall Igna's second edged France ahead before team mate Vincent Inigo sealed the win.
France beat Argentina 17-7, scoring three tries to one to ensure the race for quarterfinal spots remains wide open with one pool match remaining.
Earlier, France led Samoa 12-0 at half-time - after tries to Virimi Vakatawa and Steeve Parez - but the Cup semifinalists in Hong Kong took the lead with converted tries to Siaosi Asofolau and Greg Lealofi to seal the victory.
After an exciting 14-all draw with Argentina first up, a repeat of the scoreline 12 months ago on home soil, Japan continued their good form beating Samoa, a side they also beat in Port Elizabeth and last year, 26-12.
Playing enterprising rugby, Lemeki starred with a brace and Chihito Matsui sealed the win.
Results:
Argentina 14-14 Japan
Samoa 14-12 France
Samoa 12-26 Japan
Argentina 7-17 France
France 24-19 Japan
Samoa 26-26 Argentina
Source: @WorldRugby7s