By Paul Osborne

America progressed to their first quarter-final of the 2013-2014 HSBC Sevens World Series with an impressive performance at the Tokyo Sevens ©IRBMarch 22 - America have reached their first quarter-final of the 2013-2014 HSBC Sevens World Series as England, South Africa and New Zealand won all their games on the opening day at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground in Tokyo. 


A win against Samoa and draw with Fiji was enough for the United States to book their place in the last eight of the competition, finishing runners up to Fiji in Pool C, despite a loss to France in the final group game.

They will now face defending champions South Africa in the quarter-finals with the unbeaten Fiji set to play Kenya.

South Africa, runners-up to hosts New Zealand in the last leg of the Series, recorded comfortable wins against Argentina, Kenya and Japan to seal their spot in the quarter-finals with Kenya following them into the last eight following wins against the hosts and the Argentines.

England came from 21-7 down to beat Australia 24-21 to top Pool D with a 100 per cent record having conceded no points in their previous encounters with Spain and Scotland.

They will now face Canada in the with runners-up Australia meeting New Zealand.

New Zealand's Tim Mikkelson scored twice against Portugal on the way to an impressive six tries on the opening day of action at the Tokyo Sevens ©IRBNew Zealand's Tim Mikkelson scored twice against Portugal on the way to an impressive six tries on the opening day of action at the Tokyo Sevens ©IRB


New Zealand ensured they ended day one with a hat-trick of wins as they narrowly beat Canada 22-17 in their final Pool A match.

Earlier thrashings of Wales and Portugal had seen them top the scoring charts with Greg Jeloudev and Tim Mikkelson scoring six tries apiece on the opening day.

Tournament hosts Japan showed vast improvement ahead of the World Series core team qualifier next week in Hong Kong, drawing 14-14 with Argentina before losing to 33-5 to South Africa and 12-7 to Kenya in a tight match.

They will now face Samoa in the Bowl quarter-finals with Wales set to play Spain, Scotland up against Portugal and Argentina taking on France.

Action will continue from Tokyo's Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground tomorrow with the quarters, semis and finals of the Cup, Bowl, Shield and Plate competitions.

New Zealand currently sits atop the Series Standings on 99 points followed closely by South Africa on 97,

Fiji, England and Australia round off the top five with the sixth placed Samoa set to lose ground on their rivals after missing out on progression to the Cup.

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