They began with a surprisingly comfortable 24-0 success over New Zealand as the eighth leg of this season's World Rugby Sevens Series began at the National Stadium.

It was the first victory over the Kiwis for the French since 2005, when they beat them in the semi-finals on their way to victory on home soil at the Paris Sevens Cup.

Their success was backed up by a 19-17 win over United States and a 26-19 victory over Canada, with Vakatawa crossing the whitewash in all three matches and bringing up his 50th career try in the process.

New Zealand still managed to progress as runners-up in Group B, beating Canada 24-17 and the US 19-12.

In Group A, defending Sevens Series champions and overall leaders Fiji topped the group despite an opening 24-18 defeat to Pacific rivals Samoa.

They recovered to beat Portugal 38-0 and England 26-12 as the quarter-finalists were decided on points difference.

England beat Samoa 12-5 and Portugal 14-7, but didn't make it through as the Samoans romped past the Portuguese 28-12 to finish second.

South Africa maintained a 100 per cent record on day one thanks to a 33-0 win over Scotland, a 21-10 success over Russia and a 14-0 triumph over Kenya.

Russia were dispatched by both the Scots and the Kenyans, with the latter creeping through on points difference after the game between the sides finished as a 12-12 draw.

Argentina enjoyed a 12-7 win over Australia in Group D and also eased past Wales 42-21 on the way to topping the standings.

They were also held to a 21-21 draw by Japan but it was the Australians, 17-12 victors over the Japanese and 31-12 victors over the winless Welsh, who would grab the second qualification spot.

Tomorrow's quarter-finals will see France play Kenya, with New Zealand meeting South Africa.

Argentina will play Samoa with Fiji colliding with Australia.