Fiji survive Welsh shock to win Gold Coast 7s pool

Portugal\'s Francisco Almeida (C) tackled by Fiji\'s Ilai Tinai (R), Waisea Nacuqu Two-time defending champions Fiji lost to Wales on the way to clinching the top spot in their pool on the opening day of Australia\'s Gold Coast IRB Sevens on Saturday. The Fijians went down 22-19 to the Welsh in their final game but their points difference was enough for them to top Pool C and earn a quarter-final against England on Sunday.
Fiji were far from their swaggering best, while Wales\' win ensured they went through to the quarter-finals at Canada\'s expense where they will face South Africa for a semi-final spot.
Defending Sevens World Series champions New Zealand got off to a flying start, winning all three of their pool matches without conceding a point.
Gordon Tietjens\' side beat the United States (38-0), Tonga (26-0) and Kenya (31-0) and will now face Samoa in the quarter finals, while the Kenyans as Pool A runners-up will take on hosts Australia on day two.
South Africa were the other side to maintain a 100 percent record with wins over France (29-5), Spain (38-7) and England (22-14).
Australia bounced back from an opening 21-21 draw with Scotland, a match in which they led 21-0, to win their matches with Argentina (22-7) and Samoa (12-0).
Sean McMahon scored Australia\'s first try of their home tournament, but they were pegged back to 21-21 when Scotland\'s James Fleming scored with the last play of the match.
The win over Samoa, clinched after a brilliant solo effort from former National Rugby League player Shannon Walker, enabled the hosts to finish top of Pool D and avoid New Zealand in the last eight.
Samoa\'s defeat means they now have the task of trying to topple the in-form New Zealanders, who are aiming to go one better after losing the past two finals on the Gold Coast.

Source: AFP