World Cup Sevens starts in HK

Argentina's Juan Fernndez Lobbe, left, is tackled by Tunisia's Haithem Chelly during their World Cup Sevens qualifying match in Hong Kong on Friday. Argentina won 24-5. PHOTO: AP

Title favorites New Zealand, England and Fiji made winning starts Friday with a pair of easy wins at the rugby World Cup Sevens in Hong Kong, while fifth-seeded South Africa was upset by Tunisia.

Isaia Toeava came off the bench for a strong performance against the South Koreans, managing a pair of tries and a conversion in the second half.

In first upset of the tournament, World Cup first-timers Tunisia beat South Africa 19-12. The Tunisians raced to a 12-5 lead by halftime on tries by Lofti Nino Ben Msallem and Mohamed Yousri Souguir.

South Africa drew closer with a try and conversion from Stefan Basson in the second half, but Tunisia sealed the win as captain Mohamed Ali Naouali scored and Kais Issa converted.

Elated Tunisia coach Claude Saurel said, "this victory is very special for us."

South Africa coach Paul Treu chastised his team for not playing with urgency, despite his warning not to let down their guard.

"It almost seemed like they didn't know what to do on the field," he said.

South Africa returned to the field with a vengeance as Schalk van der Merwe had two tries in just over two minutes in a 59-0 win over Uruguay in the second game.

England launched its bid to become the first holder of both sevens and 15-man rugby World Cups in style, cruising to victories against Georgia and Italy. England won the 15-a-side Rugby World Cup in 2003 and the inaugural World Cup Sevens in 1993.

In a 47-0 win over Georgia, six England players finished with tries, while Richard Haughton impressed with three consecutive tries to kick off a 41-0 triumph over Italy.

1997 World Cup champion Fiji dismantled Japan 47-0 and Portugal 31-0, ensuring a triumphant return for sevens great Waisale Serevi, who was recalled after a two-year absence.

But Serevi himself had a rusty start, striking the goal post in an attempted conversion. The leading World Cup points scorer was tryless in the first two games, appearing content to let his teammates rack up tries while he focused on goalkicking. Marika Vunibaka scored three tries against Japan.

Francisco Bosch's four tries lifted No. 4 Argentina to a 40-5 victory over Japan. The South American side fell behind early against Tunisia but finished in front, 24-5.

Eighth-seeded Scotland suffered an early scare against rugby minnow the US as the Americans raced to a 14-0 lead.

The Scots pulled closer on tries by Colin Gregor and Roland Reid before roaring ahead in the second half to finish 36-14. Earlier, Scotland beat Ireland 33-14.

Samoa, the No. 7 seed, rebounded from a 7-10 deficit against Italy to win 38-0 and went on to beat Taiwan 35-0.

Sixth-seeded Australia had two easy matches, beating Portugal 31-7 on a hat-trick by Nick Reily before a win over home team Hong Kong, 38-5.

Asian teams proved their mettle against Western counterparts. Japan beat Canada 19-7 and South Korea edged past Tonga 20-15.

France won its first matches, defeating Taiwan 40-7, then Georgia 31-5.

Kenya had a mixed start, victorious over Uruguay 17-14 but succumbing to Russia 26-19.

The 24-team field is divided into four pools, with the two top teams in each group moving on to the championship round on tomorrow.