Berliner Tageszeitung - New Zealand march on at Hong Kong Sevens, Australia out of cup hunt

Australia were the day's surprise losers, edged out of a super-tight Pool C by Spain and USA. All three sides won two of three games, with the Aussies losing out on points difference.

The All Blacks saw off Ireland in their final group game 26-7, to add to wins over Kenya and South Africa.

They currently sit atop the World Rugby Sevens Series standings, but had a disappointing start to the tour on the first Hong Kong stop in November, when they finished ninth.

Brady Rush got his first try of the weekend in the Ireland match. He said New Zealand were "pretty happy about" their three-from-three start and wanted to avenge November's disappointment.

"That was our first tournament, so coming ninth was a bit of a shocker. But yeah, happy to be playing some good rugby at the moment."

On a personal note, Rush added it was "good to be on the scoreboard. Hopefully some more over the weekend."

Their next-round opponent Argentina came second in Pool B.

The group was won by November's beaten finalists Fiji, who also boast a 100-percent record after seeing off the Pumas in the tricky pool as well as Samoa and Canada.

"We wanted to win all three, and we've converted that which is fantastic," said coach Ben Gollings. "But other than getting us to a quarter-final now that doesn't mean much. We've got to turn up tomorrow on day three."

They face South Africa in the next round.

This year's tour –- which has three stops to go after Hong Kong –- also serves as Olympic qualifiers, with the top four teams automatically heading to the 2024 Games in Paris.

Elsewhere in the draw France -– who qualify automatically for Paris, as hosts –- have three wins from three and will face Spain, who stunned USA on Friday.

USA face Great Britain, who came second to France in Pool B.

N. Nilsson--BTZ