Defending champions Fiji reach quarter-finals with unbeaten record at World Rugby Sevens Series

Fiji recorded three wins to reach the quarter-finals with their unbeaten record in tact ©World Rugby

Defending HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series champions Fiji reached the quarter-finals of the first event of the new campaign in style as they recorded three straight victories on the opening day in Dubai.

The Fijian side, led by English coach Ben Ryan, were one of three unbeaten sides along with South Africa, runners-up during last season’s Series, and England.

They will go up against Australia in the last eight, while the Blitzboks entertain the United States and England take on Argentina.

The other quarter-final contest sees New Zealand, third on the overall 2014-2015 standings, clash with Samoa.

The Pacific Islanders began the day in ominous fashion as they racked up nine tries in a thumping 63-14 victory over Canada in the first contest of the season, showing no signs of weariness on their way to a comprehensive success.

Fiji then went on to prove too strong for Japan, whose 15s side were the surprise package of the recent Rugby World Cup in England, though they were pushed all their way by their opponents before they sealed a 21-17 win.

Ryan’s side had no such difficulties in their third match, sweeping aside Argentina 28-0 to ensure they finished at the summit of Pool A.

A dramatic late turnaround from the United States saw them reach the last eight of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai with their first-ever victory over New Zealand ©World Rugby

South Africa, the reigning Dubai Sevens champions, also began well as they hammered Samoa 33-7, in which World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Werner Kok scored a double, before they inflicting a crushing 45-0 defeat on a hapless Russian outfit.

The South Africans were too strong for Scotland in their final match of the day as they claimed a 26-12 victory to clinch top spot in Pool B.

England were also at the treble on day one, dispatching Wales 26-5 in their opener before they edged Kenya 19-12 and finished with a commanding 21-5 win against rivals Australia in the day’s final encounter.

There was drama in Pool C as a late rally from the United States saw them stun New Zealand with a dramatic 14-12 win, their first-ever over the All Blacks.

Trailing 12-7 in the dying stages, the Americans looked to be heading out of the Cup competition before Perry Baker went over to equalise, and Madison Hughes added the extras to eliminate France and set up a meeting with South Africa tomorrow.