New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa and England all topped their groups on day one at the USA Sevens in Las Vegas, which also produced fine results for Japan and Guyana.

The Japanese beat the defending champions Argentina and Guyana scored a fine 12-12 draw against France as Sevens' global Olympic appeal came to the fore. 

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Samoan flyer Mikaele Pesamino grabbed the headlines by becoming the first player for over four years to score five tries in a single 14-minute match, against Chile. Pesamino also scored a fine hat trick against Scotland to stand well clear at the top of the try scorers list with eight.

Cup quarter finals 
New Zealand v South Africa 
Fiji v Australia 
Samoa v Wales 
England v Kenya

Pool A

New Zealand captain DJ Forbes led his side to a tight win against Australia at the end of the day, his the winning try in the 12-7 win.

Both sides had opened up with convincing wins against France and Guyana to seal their places in the Cup quarter finals.

Tim Mikkelson and his captain Forbes top scored for the kiwis with three tries apiece, while Brackin Karauria-Henry grabbed a hat trick for the Aussies against France to top score for them.

Guyana produced a brilliant display against France, going ahead 12-5 before finally being pegged back to draw 12-12.

Pool B

World Series champions South Africa played some of their best rugby Sevens of the season against Fiji and came deperately close, just failing to capitalise on their possession in the face of some ferocious Fijian defence, which helped the islanders hold on to their slender 12-5 lead.

Early on in the day, hosts USA came close to causing a huge upset against the Wellington Cup winners Fiji. The Eagles led 5-0 at the break but the Fijians stormed back in the second half to edge it 14-12. Fiji followed that win with an improved display to beat Canada 26-12.

South Africa opened with a convincing wins against Canada and gutsy USA.

The Eagles delighted the home crowd, though, by getting the better of staunch rivals Canada in their final match to gain a more favourable Bowl quarter final draw.

Pool C

Mikaele Pesamino was in awesome try-scoring form as Samoa opened up with two strong wins against Scotland and Chile. Pesamino registered a hat trick against the Scots and then touched down five times in the win against Chile.

The most tries scored in a single day in the World Series is 10, by Fijian Vilimoni Delasau in Punta del Este in July 2000.

Kenya also started with two victories, first against the Chileans and then 17-0 against the Scots in front of a massive travelling African support.

Pool D

Japan caused the first upset of the tournament by beating Argentina 7-0, their first win in Sevens against the Pumas in eight matches.

England fought from behind to beat Wales in the other opening match and then beat off a brave Japanese challenge to win 24-5, having been held to 5-5 at the break.