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28 March 2024

Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens Day One: South Africa knock out defending champions Samoa

Emosi Mulevoro of Fiji in action during the Emirates Dubai Sevens match against United Statesat The Sevens stadium on November 29, 2013 in Dubai, UAE. (GETTY)

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By Staff

Defending champions Samoa were knocked out of the Cup competition at the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens by South Africa in the in the second round of the HSBC Sevens World Series at The Sevens on Friday night.

Samoa began the day in style with Tulolo Tulolo scoring a hat-trick to run out 33-12 winners over Russia.

The Samoans, winners in Dubai for the first time last year, suffered a 19-12 reversal to Argentina and overwhelmed by 26-5 by South Africa who topped Pool D having beaten Argentina 17-7 in their opening match.

"We're stoked to be in the quarter-finals and we'll give it out all. Whoever we play we will embrace," said Springboks captain Kyle Brown.

Gold Coast winners New Zealand sauntered past France, Portugal and Kenya, racking up 112 points and conceding just five.

"We were a bit scratchy this morning against France but we have kicked on and it's about building confidence, and playing as a team. 40 points on the boar against Kenya is great for us," said New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens.

They will face Argentina who bounced back from a loss to South Africa with Ramiro Moyano scoring a hat-trick against Russia.

Scotland had an anxious wait qualifying ahead of Australia who were were beaten 14-9 by Wales who topped Pool C.

"It has been a great day for us today. Everyone thought they could go through from our pool so to come out on top, it was a great performance," said Wales coach Paul John.

Fiji turned tables against Dubai favourites England 26-21 in the final match to top Pool D thanks to 11 points from Emosi Mulevoro.

England's new coach Simon Amor will come up against Wales for whome James Davies and Chris Knight both scored four tries on day one. Ben Ryan's Fiji will meet Scotland.

"It was close, started well, but we went a bit passive in defence and Canada put us under real pressure. A little bit of a get out of jail there. I am looking forward to seeing how the match with England goes. It was 26-10 in the Gold Coast, will the gap wider, will it go narrower, I am looking forward to it," said Ryan.

In the Bowl, Canada await Spain after finishing third in Pool C thanks to a 41-7 victory over the USA with Harry Jones scoring a hat-trick, while Portugal face Russia and Australia await the USA in the other two Bowl quarter finals. 

HSBC Sevens World Series

Results Day One

Pool A: New Zealand 24 France 5; Kenya 10 Portugal 7; New Zealand 38 Portugal 0; Kenya 14 France 5; France 12 Portugal 19; New Zealand 40 Kenya 0

Pool B: Australia 17 Scotland 21; Wales 38 Spain 0; Australia 45 Spain 0; Wales 31 Scotland 19; Scotland 21 Spain 14; Australia 14 Wales 19;

Pool C: England 47 Canada 7; Fiji 36 United States 5; England 28 United States 5; Fiji 26 Canada 19; Canada 41 United States 7; England 21 Fiji 26

Pool D: South Africa 17 Argentina 7; Samoa 33 Russia 12; South Africa 34 Russia 5; Samoa 12 Argentina 19; Argentina 33 Russia 5; South Africa 26 Samoa 5

Saturday's fixtures:

Bowl Quarter-finals


9:20 am: Portugal vs Russia       
9:42 am: Canada vs Spain   
10:04 am: Samoa vs France
10:26 am: Australia vs United States

Cup Quarter-finals
       
10:51 am: New Zealand vs Argentina
11:13 am: Fiji vs Scotland   
11:35 am: South Africa vs Kenya   
11:57 am: Wales vs England