IRB Sevens, Edinburgh - Day One
Great Scots: The hosts came within a point of beating South Africa
After wrapping up an eighth IRB Sevens World series title in London, New Zealand celebrated with comfortable Pool progression at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Gordon Tietjens's men had a relatively simple draw, with only a nervy-looking England - who ran out 22-0 winners over Portugal before being held 17-17 against the Russians - to really worry about in Pool A.
Yet the Kiwis seem intent on finishing the season on another high as they outwitted the English to claim a 21-12 victory to seal top spot.
Wales and Fiji were the only other unbeaten sides on the day, while the 'Pool of Death' between South Africa, Australia, Scotland and Argentina provided all of the anticipated competitive edge.
The Springboks started with a draw against the Pumas before Scotland beat Australia convincingly to rouse the home fans.
However, Stefan Basson's long-range penalty drop-goal at the death handed the Boks a 22-21 win against their hosts before edging past Australia.
CUP QUARTER-FINALS:
New Zealand v Scotland
Fiji v Samoa
Wales v France
South Africa v England
DAY ONE - REPORT:
Pool A
New Zealand, England, Russia, Portugal
New Zealand's new-look squad finished unbeaten on day one, starting in clinical fashion against Russia with newcomers Ben Nowell and David Smith both touching down for two tries in a 43-0 win. Then Tietjens' men saw off Portugal 28-0 and came from behind to beat England 21-12 with debutant Tim Mikkelson crossing for the decisive score.
England also qualified for the Cup quarter finals, on points difference over Russia. Ben Ryan's men kicked off their campaign with a win - Uche Oduoza grabbing two tries against Portugal - before struggling to a lucky 17-17 draw against Russia. The Russians earlier beat Portugal 19-12 in a fine match to finish third in the Pool.
Pool B
South Africa, Argentina, Australia, Scotland
Having beaten hosts Scotland with the last kick of the match, South Africa went on to top the group by beating Australia 17-12. Danwel Demas scored twice for the Boks and Stefan Basson once as they built a 17-12 lead and then held on as Australia hit back through Andrew Walker and Shawn MacKay but it was too little too late.
Scotland also claimed a Cup quarter-final place on day two after drawing their final match 17-17 with the feisty Argentineans, who had two players yellow-carded and one sent-off in the second half.
Earlier, Santiago Gomez Cora touched down twice as the Pumas overturned a 19-0 deficit to fight back against the Boks, and South Africa looked dead and buried against Scotland, 19-21 down with the final hooter gone, before Stefan Basson nervelessly landed a penalty drop-goal from the ten-metre line to crush the Scots and hand the Boks a priceless 22-21 win.
The Scots had opened their account with a 33-7 over Australia, Jim Thompson the star with a brace of tries, before Argentina played out their thrilling 19-19 draw with the Boks.
Pool C
Samoa, Wales, Canada, Spain
Wales topped Pool C after beating London Sevens champions of last week Samoa 24-14 in the group's final match - Tal Selley touching down twice for Gareth Baber's men. Tries from James Lewis had helped them to two opening wins against Spain and Canada earlier in the day.
Samoa needed all of their fighting qualities to see off first Canada 24-17 in their opening match and then Spain 24-5 to also qualify for the Cup quarters on day two. Alatasi Tupou scored a hat-trick of tries for the islanders in their opener and Timoteo Iosua crossed twice in their win against gallant Spain.
Spain capped off an impressive day by beating Series regulars Canada 24-10 to get a favourable draw for the Bowl on Sunday.
Pool D
Fiji, France, Kenya, Moldova
Fiji went unbeaten on day one with three relatively easy wins against France, Moldova and Kenya. The Fijians ran riot against the French - Setefano Cakau scoring two of their six tries in a 42-7 win - before they scored eight more against Moldova.
In beating the Kenyans, Fiji also sent France through to a first Cup quarter-final of the season.
The French earlier beat Kenya, Vincent Roux's late try sealing the French win and also ran in seven unanswered tries against Moldova, Nicolas Carmona scoring a hat-trick in the 47-0 win.
DAY ONE - RESULTS:
Match 1: New Zealand 45-0 Russia
Match 2: England 22-0 Portugal
Match 3: Samoa 24-17 Canada
Match 4: Wales 31-7 Spain
Match 5: Fiji 42-7 France
Match 6: Kenya 22-5 Moldova
Match 7: South Africa 19-19 Argentina
Match 8: Australia 7-33 Scotland
Match 9: New Zealand 28-0 Portugal
Match 10: England 17-17 Russia
Match 11: Samoa 24-5 Spain
Match 12: Wales 24-7 Canada
Match 13: Fiji 52-7 Moldova
Match 14: Kenya 12-22 France
Match 15: South Africa 22-21 Scotland
Match 16: Australia 19-12 Argentina
Match 17: Russia 19-12 Portugal
Match 18: Canada 10-24 Spain
Match 19: France 47-0 Moldova
Match 20: New Zealand 21-12 England
Match 21: Samoa 14-24 Wales
Match 22: Fiji 38-7 Kenya
Match 23: South Africa 17-12 Australia
Match 24: Argentina 17-17 Scotland
DAY TWO - SCHEDULE:
(All times are local - GMT+1)
CUP:
M29: 11:43 - New Zealand v Scotland
M30: 12:05 - Fiji v Samoa
M31: 12:27 - Wales v France
M32: 12:49 - South Africa v England
M39: 16:08 - Winner M29 v Winner M30
M40: 16:30 - Winner M31 v Winner M32
M44: 18:16 - Winner M39 v Winner M40
PLATE:
M37: 15:09 - Loser M29 v Loser M30
M38: 15:31 - Loser M31 v Loser M32
M43: 17:48 - Winner M37 v Winner M38
BOWL:
M25: 10:15 - Russia v Argentina
M26: 10:37 - Kenya v Canada
M27: 10:59 - Spain v Moldova
M28: 11:21 - Australia v Portugal
M35: 14:25 - Winner M25 v Winner M26
M36: 14:47 - Winner M27 v Winner M28
M42: 17:20 - Winner M35 v Winner M36
SHIELD:
M33: 13:41 - Loser M25 v Loser M26
M34: 14:03 - Loser M27 v Loser M28
M41: 16:52 - Winner M33 v Winner M34
With thanks to the IRB