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Robin Heymann in Dubai

The 2008/09 IRB Sevens World Series kicked off in Dubai with the leading contenders all through to the Cup Quarter-Finals.

Defending champions South Africa had a tough assignment in their opening game against World Cup winners Wales, but Mzwandile Stick's try and his four conversions helped the Boks to a 28-14 win. A ruthless 36-7 victory over Arabian Gulf, guided them to the last eight, with a win against Australia booking them a match up against Fiji in the knockout stages.

Wales missed out on the quarter-finals with a 14-7 defeat to Australia so the fact they ran in 50 unanswered points against Arabian Gulf, built on the foundation of three tries from the impressive Alex Cuthbert.
Fiji and Samoa played out a 12-12 draw in the final game in Pool B, with the result enabling Samoa to take top spot by virtue of a better points haul. Samoa's reward for holding on for a draw is sidestepping South Africa in the quarter-finals - a challenge that awaits Fiji.

Earlier in the day both sides had eased past Scotland and Zimbabwe with Fiji’s William Ryder impressing and Vucago scoring four times against the Scots.

Scotland and Zimbabwe shared the points in a 17-17 draw but the result did nothing for either side, as Fiji and Samoa progressed to the quarter-finals.

New Zealand threw down a serious marker with three wins to claim top spot in Pool D. DJ Forbes and Ben Souness scored two tries apiece as Gordon Tietjens' side crushed Portugal 34-0, while France were shrugged aside 33-10.

Argentina overcame the same opponents to set up a battle with New Zealand for top spot, but they were no match as Sherwin Stowers ran in four tries in a 38-10 romp. Argentina impressed in their first two games, Hernan Olivari touching down in the Pumas' win against France and then Nicolas Bruzzone scoring three tries against Portugal to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.

England made the ideal to the IRB Sevens, with wins over United States, Russia and Kenya guiding them to the Cup Quarter-Finals.

They opened their campaign against United States and were not hard pressed to secure a 40-12 success with Dan Norton grabbing a hat-trick, while Dan Caprice touched down twice in the 28-0 win over Russia.
The win over Russia set up a clash with Kenya for top spot in Pool C and England emerged victorious despite falling behind inside the first minute. England rallied and Nick Royle's two tries before the break tipped the balance in their favour and further scores from Jake Abbott, Ben Gollings and Mat Turner wrapped up a 27-10 win to set up a last-eight meeting with Argentina.

Dubai Sevens Day 1 Results:
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool B – Fiji 47 Scotland 12
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool B – Samoa 40 Zimbabwe 5
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool C – England 40 USA 12
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool B – Kenya 26 Russia 5
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool D – New Zealand 34 Portugal 0
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool D – Argentina 22 France 5
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool A – South Africa 28 Wales 14
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool A – Australia 47 Arabian Gulf 7
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool B – Fiji 31 Zimbabwe 14
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool C – England 38 Russia 0
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool B – Samoa 36 Scotland 7
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool C – Kenya 26 USA 21
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool D – New Zealand 33 France 10
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool D – Argentina 40 Portugal 7
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool A – South Africa 35 Arabian Gulf
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool B – Scotland 17 Zimbabwe 17
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool C – USA 12 Russia 14
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool A – Australia 14 Wales 7
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool B – Scotland 17 Zimbabwe 17
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool C – USA 12 Russia 14
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool D – Portugal 24 France 14
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool A – Wales 50 Arabian Gulf 0
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool B – Fiji 12 Samoa 12
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool C – England 29 Kenya 10
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool D – New Zealand 38 Argentina 10
IRB Dubai Sevens – Pool A – South Africa 29 Australia 0