4 Feb 2012

Defending champions cruise into Cup quarters in Wellington

7:00 am on 4 February 2012

The New Zealand rugby sevens side rounded out the first day of the Wellington IRB tournament with a convincing 21-7 win over Samoa to top their pool and book a Cup quarter-final against France.

That followed their opening 29-7 win over Scotland and the 54-0, eight-try romp past Japan.

But Gordon Tietjens' men lost experienced utility Toby Arnold to a season-ending knee injury early in the first game.

South Africa beat England to decide their pool - both go through, the South Africans face Fiji and England meet Tonga, who surprisingly won their pool ahead of Fiji.

Canada play Samoa in the other Cup quarter.