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New Zealand overwhelm Taiwan 50-5

New Zealand's Victor Vito, center, runs past Taiwan's Chen Chih-fei, left, and Hsu Lieh-hsien at the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens yesterday. PHOTO: AP

Series leader New Zealand thumped Taiwan 50-5 to kick start their Hong Kong Sevens campaign yesterday, while defending champions Samoa opened with a 35-7 win over Sri Lanka.

Tomasi Cama and Steven Yates each crossed twice as New Zealand, aiming for their fifth title in five IRB World Sevens series tournaments, scored eight tries and recorded their 37th consecutive win this season.

Wu Wei-luan's late try sparked celebrations for Taiwan, who are coached by Fiji great Waisale Serevi.

Taiwan and New Zealand are joined in Pool A by the US and Tunisia.

Alafoti Fa'osiliva scored three of the five tries for the Samoans -- surprise winners over Fiji in last year's Hong Kong final -- in the Pool B win over Sri Lanka.

Fiji conceded the opening points but rallied for a 42-7 win over South Korea.

In Pool F, with David Campese working as assistant coach, Australia opened with a 24-12 win over the Hong Kong side.

South Africa, World Cup holders in the 15-a-side game, had a 40-7 win over Japan in Pool C and Kenya thrashed China 47-0 in Pool E.

Fans blow kisses during the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens tournament yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Pool matches continue today, with the top two teams in each group advancing to quarter-finals in the cup competition tomorrow and the other teams relegated to plate and bowl playoffs.

Full results from the first day of the IRB Hong Kong Sevens World Series yesterday:

Pool A

New Zealand 50 Taiwan 5

US 26 Tunisia 21

Pool B

Samoa 35 Sri Lanka 7

England 24 Canada 12

Pool C

South Africa 40 Japan 7

Argentina 33 Russia 0

Pool D

Fiji 42 Korea 7

Wales 34 Zimbabwe 0

Pool E

Kenya 47 China 0

Scotland 26 Portugal 10

Pool F

Australia 24 Hong Kong 12

France 21 Tonga 7
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