A free-flowing France produced the biggest shock on the opening day of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 with a 26-17 win over USA.
France’s returning stars made the difference against last month's USA Sevens Cup semi finalists as they ran in four tries, including one from Top 14 star Rida Jaouher.
The match was one of several exciting encounters to captivate a vibrant crowd inside 'The Sevens’, Dubai’s impressive new purpose-built venue.
And it wasn’t only the match action the crowd was lapping up. They were treated to a colourful opening ceremony featuring camels and school children, before the top four seeds kicked off their respective campaigns at the end of the day.
In the other tightly contested match, Australia came out on top in their Pool D match against Portugal, 24-12. Two tries from flyer Damon Murphy proved decisive as Michael O'Connor's young side outscored its opponents four tries to two. David Mateus and Aderito Esteves both touched down for Portugal.
Pool A
New Zealand became the first team to pass 1,000 points in the history of RWC Sevens as they overcame Italy 42-0. Paul Grant's try, the third of the match, took the Kiwis past the key milestone, while Viliame Waqaseduadua (2), Lote Raikabula, D J Forbes and Chad Tuoro grabbed the other tries.
Tonga never reached top gear in their clash with hosts the Arabian Gulf but overcame some strong defending to claim a 19-0 win, Viliami Ma’afu, Vaea T Poteki and Mateo Malupo scoring their tries.
Pool B
Defending RWC Sevens champions Fiji followed the New Zealanders past 1000 points in RWC Sevens as they followed up France’s earlier defeat of the USA with a hard-fought 26-10 win over Georgia. Fiji led 12-10 at the break after two well-taken tries by Merab Kvirikashvili kept the Georgians in touch, but tries from star winger Vilimoni Delasau and Peni Rokodiva took Iliesa Tanivula's men clear.
Pool C
South Africa, who won the World Series event in Dubai last November, opened up their campaign with a workmanlike 26-5 win over a hard-working Japan side. However, try-scorer Gio Aplon limped off midway through the second half, leaving South Africa coach Paul Treu with a potential injury headache ahead of Friday’s fixtures.
Canada entertained the crowd with five tries as they downed Scotland 33-14. Scotland coach Stephen Gemmell could not hide his anger as his side committed several handling errors to gift Canada, and in particular Ciaran Hearn, easy points in the first half.
Pool D
Australia battled past Portugal in the pool’s first fixture before Samoa showed their potential with an impressive 35-5 win over Ireland. Rupena Levasa ran in a hat-trick of tries as the islanders prepared for two tough games against Portugal and Australia in style.
Pool E
Tom Varndell marked his return to Sevens with two tries as England overcame an early scare en route to a comfortable 42-5 win over Hong Kong. Kevin Barrett was binned for England early on, allowing Hong Kong to go ahead, but a converted Tom Biggs effort a minute later set England on their way, before tries from Varndell (2), Ben Gollings (2) and Josh Drauniniu confirmed the win.
Collins Injera claimed a hat-trick as Kenya came out on top in their all-African clash with Tunisia 29-7. Tunisia started brightly and moved ahead with an Abess Kherfani score but Kenyan captain Humphrey Kayange pegged them back before Injera stole the show.
Pool F
San Diego World Series title winners Argentina were made to work hard by a plucky Uruguay side before eventually running out 19-7 winners. Three tries, including one from captain Santiago Gomez Cora, put them 12 up at the break but a scoreless second half leaves coach Duncan Forrester with work to do.
A Craig Hill-inspired Wales got their campaign off to the perfect start as they produced an impressive second-half display to complete a 31-5 win over Zimbabwe in the tournament's first game.
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