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The IRB big guns have all made it through to the Cup Quarter-Finals on another blistering day of IRB World Series Sevens in Hong Kong. Australia and Fiji have qualified as the two best runners-up alongside pool winners South Africa, England, New Zealand, Argentina, Samoa and Kenya for the Cup quarter finals of the 2009 Cathay Pacific / Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens.

New Zealand and Australia through from Pool C

Zar Lawrence scored two tries to inspire his teammates to an emotionally-charged 17-5 win in the pool decider against great rivals Australia. Australia scored first through Domonic Shipperley but Victor Vito struck to level at 5-5 at the break and Lawrence twice proved the difference in the second half to see the Kiwis home.

An extra poignancy and motivation will have been felt by all the New Zealanders in support Lawrence, whose brother Wiremu tragically died in a car accident overnight. Lawrence also played a typically whole-hearted role in setting up a number of tries in their 52-0 win against Zimbabwe in which Tim Mikkelson, Victor Vito, Ben Souness and Julian Savea all scored two tries. The New Zealand vice captain is to stay with the team here, return to New Zealand for the funeral and rejoin the squad to compete in Adelaide next weekend.

Boks do enough

Log leaders South Africa twice battled from behind to beat France in the Pool A decider and qualify for the Cup quarter finals. Julien Patey put the French ahead in both halves but each time the Boks drew level through Robert Ebersohn and Vuyo Zangqa, before Ryno Benjamin and Zangqa put the tie beyond doubt.

England deny Champs to top Pool B

Joint-Series leaders England sprinted to a 26-0 half time lead against World Champions Wales and then held on in the face of a fine fightback to take the tie 26-19 and top Pool B. Ollie Phillips, Kevin Barrett, Chris Cracknell and Isoa Damu all crossed for tries in the first half but England then had to defend with their lives as Arron Bramwell, Jimmy Norris and Ifan Evans pulled three back for the Welsh.
Earlier Rob Vickerman scored a hat trick as the English continued their good Hong Kong form with a 50-0 win against Japan. Earlier on in the Jevon Groves scored a last-minute winner to spare Wales' blushes against China as they won 19-17.

Samoa and Fiji qualify from Pool E

Six-man Samoa held on in the dying moments under huge pressure from island rivals Fiji to draw 12-12 and top Pool E on points difference. The Samoans led 12-7 at the break after Jerry Meafou and Uale Mai scored either side of Pio Tuwai, but Vereniki Goneva pulled the scores level in the second half and Meafou's sin-binning forced Samoa to hold on for two minutes. Fiji also qualify for the Cup quarter finals as best runners-up after pool play.

Pumas unbeaten to top Pool D but hosts Hong Kong steals the show

World Cup finalists Argentina held on in the face of a fine Portuguese comeback to win 22-14 and proceed unbeaten to the Cup quarter finals as pool toppers.
Earlier Benjamin Urdapilleta scored an injury time try to clinch a 22-17 victory for Argentina against Tonga in one of the matches of the tournament. Tonga hit back late on through Sosaia Palei and Peasipa Moimoi scored a tricky conversion to level the scores before Martin Bustos Moyano's jinking run set up the winner for the Pumas.

Home team Hong Kong produced a fine display on day two to win two pool games on home soil for the first time since 2000. First they condemned Portugal to a second defeat, 24-7, Pannell, Haynes, McQueen and Robertson all scoring, and then they edged Tonga in a thriller 14-12, with tries by Rowan Varty and Anthony Haynes.

Unbeaten Kenya top Pool F

Kenya beat the USA 19-12 to top Pool F and qualify for the Cup quarter finals. Benjamin Ayimba's side out-scored the Americans three tries to two. The two sides had both won their first matches on day two, the Eagles hardly convincing in seeing off the West Indies.

Kenya were far more sure-footed against Scotland. They led 17-0 at the break after two tries by Collins Injera a one by Innocent Simiyu and Lavin Asego and Sidney Ashioya put the result beyond doubt before Scott Riddell crossed for a late consolation. The Scots did win their final pool game, though, against Joe Whipple's much-improved West Indies side 19-17.

Day 2 - As it Happened

Cup Quarter-Final:

South Africa v Australia

Samoa v Argentina

New Zealand v Kenya

Fiji v England

Plate Quarter-Final:

France v Korea

Tonga v Scotland

Hong Kong v Canada

USA v Wales

Bowl Quarter-Final:

Japan v Sri Lanka

China v Portugal

West Indies v Uruguay

Chinese Taipei v Zimbabwe