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Nick Jordan in Dubai

The globalisation of Rugby Sevens became a whole lot more real on day one of the HSBC Sevens World Series at Dubai.

The USA and Wales both made the quarter finals, joining the familiar faces of Samoa, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Fiji and England, while Portugal were desperately unlucky not to join them in the last eight.

The USA toppled Argentina 24-19 and Zimbabwe 28-12 and even led New Zealand 7-5 at one stage to make their first Dubai quarter-final. Wales held top seed Samoa to 21-21 and beat Kenya 17-12 and the Arabian Gulf 47-5, thus qualifying for the quarter finals for just the second time in Dubai (not counting their upset RWC Sevens win in 2009).

A huge crowd at 7he Sevens watched Portugal defeat England for the first time ever, in their 13th attempt, when Frederico Oliveira's second try was converted by captain Pedro Leal from wide out. The Iberians followed up with a 26-14 win against France but England's last-gasp 26-21 win over Fiji saw them drop to the Bowl.

David Mateus (Portugal) thinks England might have underestimated his team.

"We made a lot of sacrifices in that match, tackling, going to ground and getting up again," said the veteran of 25 IRB events. "We tackled really well and when we had the ball we tried to play our game."

Mateus says the future is bright for Rugby Sevens in Portugal.

"If we have more good results and start to win games against New Zealand, South Africa or Fiji then there will be more interest in Portugal. We win against France and the other European teams but we have to step up and make other teams respect us.

"If we could qualify for the Olympics we would get a lot of support from our Olympic Committee."

Matt Hawkins, the USA captain who has played four times in Dubai without making the Cup round, said the feeling was awesome.

"It's been a battle to win first-up in Dubai so to qualify is great for these group of guys and we aim to go through on the front foot tomorrow.

"There's been a great feeling in the team in the build up and we have five or six who have returned from last year which has created a core group. We're not professional, so work commitments and family commitments often call us away, so to be together here is great.

The USA is fielding four players born in American Samoa and Hawkins said that Polynesian influence was also a factor in the success today.

"We're playing more attractive rugby and we really enjoy it and the crowd enjoys it as well."

Kiwis & Aussies 100%

New Zealand and Australia (fielding six and seven new caps respectively) went through unscathed with Australia impressing in the showpiece match against South Africa and continuing their great run against the 2008 Dubai champions. John Grant, the new winger, ran in five tries.

The defending champions, New Zealand, also looked relatively comfortable until the Argentinians lifted dramatically and held them to 24-19. Toby Arnold led the scoring for New Zealand also scoring five tries as did Portugal's Oliveira.

South Africa were somewhat lucky to escape against Scotland, drawing 19-19, before displaying a resurgence against Australia, losing only 14-19.

Kenya and Argentina fell out of the top eight and the Africans have now made only one quarter-final in their last five IRB tournaments. In this new season, however, it seems that all teams will need to fight for places in the top eight.

Invitational

In the International Invitation the Marauders International, HFW Wailers, Templars and British Army topped their pools while the International Women's Invitation saw big wins for Samurai, Rugby Ecosse and the Wooden Spoon and they seem likely to fight out the trophy round.

Follow Live updates from all the goins on in Dubai on Twitter by CLICKING HERE

HSBC SEVENS WORLD SERIES ROUND 1, DUBAI

QUARTER FINALS
CUP
Samoa v USA
South Africa v Fiji
Australia v England
Wales v New Zealand

BOWL
Kenya v Argentina
Russia v Portugal
Scotland v France
Arabian Gulf v Zimbabwe

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Nick Jordan is in Dubai thanks to Herbalife, nutrition for a better life