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Hometown heroes New Zealand, with Frank Halai starring on the wing, sent the Wellington crowd home happy after Day One of the NZI Sevens at the Westpac Stadium.

Halai raced in for three tries and set up another as New Zealand released the shackles against Argentina to win 34-7 and top Pool B. England survived an almighty scare against the Cook Islands, winning 21-17 after being 0-17 down, before thrashing Wales to be the only unbeaten team in Pool A.

The HSBC Sevens World Series leaders thus play Argentina and New Zealand take on Wales and the two remain on course for a Cup Final appearance tomorrow, should they each come through those and a semi against any one of four of the chasing pack.

Fiji take on Samoa (in a re-match of last year's final) and South Africa play Australia (who shared a win apiece in their two encounters in Dubai) in the other quarters. Both should be classic encounters among old rivals.

South African coach Paul Treu said they were lucky to even be challenging for the Cup after the shock loss against France.

"If it wasn't for Canada we would have been in the Bowl so we're just happy we're in another Cup quarterfinal," he said. "We are definitely missing Cecil Afrika as the replacements are trying to find their feet but if we can cut out our mistakes I think we will be in the game against Australia."

There were no such problems for New Zealand who won all three matches convincingly.

Halai, in just his third tournament for the Blacks, was the stand-out player on Day One, showing strength and speed to score five tries in two matches, though he modestly put his success down to his teammates.

"The boys made it easier for me, putting me in space," said the 22-year old Waikato winger. "I'm enjoying my first tournament in Wellington as it's a great crowd. My fiancee is here too so she will probably tell me to pass it more and share the tries around.

Halai sees Australia, who beat Samoa 24-5, and England as the main opponents tomorrow.

English captain Ben Gollings, in contrast a veteran of nine Wellington events, wants more consistency from his team.

"It's become a bit of a habit to ease off and the boys have to learn not to underestimate any team on the world series, you have to be the same for every game," he said. "The Cook Islands prove that every team is a good team and if you give them a sniff they will take their opportunities."

Gollings says Argentina as a threat, despite the South Americans struggling through against both Scotland and Papua New Guinea.

"Argentina are a good side, they work hard as a unit and they are dogs on the floor. If we play into their hands we'll make it very hard for ourselves."

But the man who took his record points tally to 2485, including 210 tries, says he loves being back down under.

"We're enjoying our football, the crowd here is fantastic and it's an awesome place to play."

Pool A
England were too good for neighbours Wales winning 33-7 with two tries to James Rodwell, the result making up for the narrow escape against the Cook Islanders.

Mat Turner (2) and Ben Gollings rescued the top seeds after the islanders, who beat them on this ground three years ago, completely dominated the first half. England had started their campaign beating the USA 31-12, with two tries to Dan Norton.

Wales beat the USA 36-5 with two scores each to Ifan Evans and Lee Rees and Evans also bagged a double in the opener against the Cook Islands.

USA finished third defeating the Cook Islands 21-14.

Pool B
Frank Halai, one of seven Kiwis playing for the first time at Wellington, bagged a double against Scotland as they won 29-12 and followed it up with a hat-trick against Argentina. Buxton Popoali'i earlier wowed the crowd with his dazzling feet against Papua New Guinea scoring two tries as the hosts won 45-0.

Argentina, a finalist here in 2005, go through to play England while PNG recorded a historic first victory over Scotland, winning 14-12 despite being down to six men.

Pool C
Australia were impressive scoring five tries to defeat reigning Series champion Samoa 29-5 after earlier running in seven against Tonga, winning 47-7. John Grant and Ed Jenkins both have three for the tournament after Day One.

Samoa had opened their account with a 24-21 victory over Kenya and a comfortable 17-0 win over Tonga.

Kenya led Australia 19-14 but a try after the hooter to Shaun Foley with Kenya a man short gave Australia a 21-19 victory. The Africans also lost to Tonga 10-17 to continue their below-par season.

Pool D
France caused the upset of the Series with a 14-12 win over South Africa. It was Les Bleus' first win over the Boks since Paris 2005 and their first win over a major nation since Wellington 2009, when they defeated Samoa.

Renaud Delmas scored the winner with time up after Jean Baptiste Gobelet also crossed. Branco du Preez crossed twice for the Bokke.

But France were later outmuscled by Canada, losing 14-19, and dropping into the Bowl as South Africa qualifiedon points differential.

Fiji, featuring five new caps, showed their forward strength thrashing France 42-0 and Canada 38-0 in their opening two matches. Jerry Burotu, a prison warden, tormented the Canadians with three tries.

The decider between Fiji, the reigning champions, and South Africa finished 7-7 despite South Africa having two late opportunities to take the match.

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

Cup quarter finals
England v Argentina
Fiji v Samoa
Australia v South Africa
New Zealand v Wales

Bowl quarter finals
USA v Scotland
France v Kenya
Tonga v Canada
Papua New Guinea v Cook Islands

ENDS