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Easy start for SA Sevens
31/03/2007 11:07 - (SA)
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| Fiji's Setefano Cakau is tackled by a Sri Lankan player in their match on the second day of the Hong Kong Sevens. (Kin Cheung, AP) |
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Johannesburg - The Springbok Sevens side opened their assault on the prestigious Cathy Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens title with an easy 59-0 victory over Chinese Taipei.
England are the defending champions, while the Bok Sevens are aiming for their first title in the Asian tournament.
The other main contenders all progressed through their opening pool matches unscathed on day one of the Hong Kong Sevens, the fifth and most popular event in the IRB Sevens World Series.
Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa and England all scored easy victories.
The United States, however, caused the tournament's first upset by beating France 14-5 to give themselves an outside chance of making the quarter finals.
Paul Treu, the South African coach, was satisfied with his team's performance but warned there was still a long way to go.
"We are happy with our performance but will not get carried away. The other top-teams all look in very good shape and I would like to see the same focus in our next pool matches," said Treu.
Favourites and joint series leaders Fiji scored within 20 seconds of their opening match against Sri Lanka, Etonia Naba racing clear for the first try of the tournament in their 45-0 win.
South Africa look to be the islanders' closest challengers and they also made light work of their first test, outpacing Chinese Taipei 59-0 with Marius Schoeman scoring a hat trick of tries.
The impressive Samoans also overcame a spirited Asian challenge, China feeling the heat in their 49-5 win.
Nigel Hunt inspired New Zealand to a strong opening win against Italy, 41-5, before the crowd's loyalties were split as defending champions and Hong Kong darlings England saw off the hosts 38-7.
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