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England, New Zealand advance

New Zealand's Anthony Tuitavake, with ball, battles Alex Magleby, front, and Tom Sanders of the US during the second round of the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens tournament, at the Hong Kong Stadium, Saturday, yesterday. At far left is Todd Clever of the US and Matua Parkinson, far right, and Tafai Ioasa, second from right, of New Zealand. PHOTO: AP

England and New Zealand remained on a Hong Kong Sevens collision course yesterday after breezing past their first round opponents in early pool games at the three-day rugby tournament.

After demolishing China in their opening match on Friday, defending champions England turned on the style to outclass Scotland 38-12, outscoring their opponents by six tries to two.

Gloucester's Simon Amor was one of the stars for England, the diminutive scrum-half directing play superbly and showing great pace to cross for one of his side's tries in the Pool B match.

England face minnows Georgia in their final first round game later yesterday. New Zealand meanwhile, who are seen as the main threat to England's chances of a third consecutive Hong Kong crown, said were equally convincing on the way to a 38-7 victory over the US in Pool A.

Justin Wilson was the star of the show for the New Zealanders, scoring a hat-trick and two conversion for a 19-point haul against the plucky Americans. New Zealand wrap up their group games against Italy.

Australia's Matt Hodgson, center, fights for the ball with Taiwan's Chang Chun-ming, bottom, and Chen Chi-chung, top, during their Hong Kong Sevens match yesterday. Australia won 68-0. PHOTO: REUTERS

In other matches Saturday, Australia overwhelmed Taiwan 68-0 while Fiji, bidding for a record 11th title here, looked strangely off colour in a 31-0 win over Hong Kong.

South Africa meanwhile suffered the indignity of having their defence breached twice by the Cook Islands but were nevertheless too powerful for the Pacing minnows on their way to a 45-12 win in Pool C.

The top eight teams from the first round advance to today's Cup quarterfinals with the remaining 16 sides playing off in the Plate and Bowl consolation competitions.

Hong Kong Sevens * Pool A Italy 33, Japan 19 New Zealand 38, US 7 * Pool B Georgia 22, China 17 England 38, Scotland 12 * Pool C Kenya 40, Thailand 5 S Africa 45, Cook Islands 12 * Pool D Canada 52, Portugal 0 Fiji 31, Hong Kong 0 * Pool E France 48 Singapore 0 Argentina, 31, S Korea 7 * Pool F Australia 68, Taiwan 0 Samoa 31, Namibia 0

The Hong Kong Sevens is the fifth event of the 2004 International Rugby Board World Sevens Series.

SUPER 12

Canterbury and Waikato scored home wins for New Zealand Super 12 rugby teams Saturday, tightening the standings to leave only seven points separating first place from ninth.

Winger Marika Vunibaka scored three of Canterbury's six tries as the former champions took a bonus point from a 46-29 win over the Otago Highlanders at Christchurch.

At Hamilton, David Hill kicked five penalties and two conversions for 19 points as the Waikato Chiefs beat the New South Wales Waratahs 32-17.

The Stormers played the Bulls at Cape Town later Saturday, while the leading ACT Brumbies host Queensland at Canberra, Australia on Sunday to close out the sixth round. South Africa's Cats and Sharks had weekend byes.

On Friday at Wellington, replacements Roy Kinikinilau and Piri Weepu combined for a try and conversion four minutes from fulltime to give the Hurricanes a 26-26 draw with the Auckland Blues.

All Blacks center Daniel Carter kicked five conversions and two penalties -- seven goals from nine attempts -- to increase the winning margin as the Crusaders loomed into championship contention with their third straight win.

The Highlanders also took a bonus point for their four tries but were denied a second for a loss by seven points or less when the Crusaders scored a converted try and kicked a penalty for 10 points in the last three minutes.

The Waratahs, early pacesetters in this year's Super 12, turned over possession 20 times in a sloppy performance and conceded 13 penalties to 8. Hill took advantage, exploiting the Chief's 67 percent territorial advantage.

Waratahs' captain Chris Whitaker said their recent run of poor form endangered a top-four position.

"We're desperate for a win," said the Wallabies halfback. "It's one of the closest Super 12s there's been. That's in our favor. No one's bolting in front so we're still in it."

The Chiefs unsettled the Waratahs with physical defense in midfield and on the fringes of set pieces and produced one of their most cohesive forward performances, dominating rucks and mauls.

"It was important to us that we came up with a reply after a disappointing effort in our last match against the Crusaders," said Chiefs captain Jon Gibbes.
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