Argentina, Fiji, France, New Zealand and Australia all claimed two wins apiece on day one of the Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong SVNS at Kai Tak Sports Park.
During a feast of thrilling Sevens Rugby played out in a party atmosphere, 50 years since Hong Kong first hosted a Sevens tournament, there was plenty of intriguing storylines at Kai Tak Sports Park.
Australia closed out the action on day one with an emphatic 38-5 win over the USA and are set to compete in the quarter-finals with New Zealand.
Intriguingly, the Southern Hemisphere powerhouses will play each in a mouthwatering clash on day two Saturday night to determine who finishes top of Pool C as the quarter-final line-up will be decided.
POOL A: Argentina show their mettle in some style
Argentina’s class is not in doubt and they proved that once again by downing Spain and then Uruguay – but that aside, Pool A remains wide open.
It was a comprehensive 38-14 victory for Los Pumas Sevens, the defending Hong Kong champions, over Spain in their Pool A opener.
Marcos Moneta scored twice with Pedro De Haro and Santiago Vera Feld also on target as Los Pumas 7s established a 26-0 interval lead.
De Haro claimed his second and Martiniano Arrieta also touched down but Spain fashioned a spirited response with scores from Tobias Sainz-Trapaga and Anton Legorburu Anso.
Argentina then recorded a six-try blitz of Uruguay to win 40-19.
Luciano Gonzalez (two), Pedro De Haro, Santiago Mare, Gregorio Perez Pardo and Marcos Moneta scored for Los Pumas 7s with Alfonso Chahnazaroff, Joaquin Fresnedo and Alfonso Vidal replying for Uruguay.
South Africa claimed a slender 12-7 win over Uruguay in Pool A with tries from Tristan Leyds and Selvyn Davids while Diego Ardao scored in reply.
Also in Pool A, Spain caused a big upset by defeating South Africa 31-12.
The Blitzboks are regular-season World Series champions and came to Hong Kong as the top-ranked team.
But Tobias Sainz-Trapaga and Eduardo Lopez both scored twice for Spain and Jeremy Trevithick also touched down with Shilton van Wyk and Donavan Don claiming South Africa’s tries.
POOL B: French connection and Fiji flair to the fore
France and Fiji recorded two wins apiece leaving top spot in Pool B in the balance heading into day two.
France registered a resounding 22-7 win over Great Britain as Paulin Riva, Simon Desert and Nelson Epee (two) scored with Ryan Apps crossing for GB.
They then produced a formidable display to beat Germany 35-0 with tries from Gregoire Arfeuil (two), Ali Dabo, Nelson Epee and Antoine Zeghdar.
Fiji also shone brightly in beating Germany 42-5 with try-doubles from Terio Veilawa and Tira Wilagi and further scores from Filipe Sauturaga and Tomasi Vuluma.
Yet the Germans’ spirits never sagged and they were rewarded with a late touchdown from Makonnen Amekuedi.
There was a close affair as Fiji overcame a spirited Great Britain 24-10 to claim their second win of the day.
Finley Lloyd-Gilmour scored twice for GB but tries from Terio Veilawa, Filipe Sauturaga and Tomasi Vuluma’s brace sealed the win for Fiji.
POOL C: Old adversaries set for crunch showdown to decide top spot
New Zealand edged out USA 19-12 in their Pool C opener with tries from Brady Rush, Akuila Rokolisoa and Sam Clarke with Lucas Lacamp replying for the Eagles Sevens.
New Zealand were pushed hard by Kenya as they beat the African nation 28-12.
Roderick Solo, Sam Clarke, Brady Rush and Kele Lasaqa while Kenyan's brave efforts were rewarded with scores from Kevin Wekesa Nyongesa and Nygel Pettersan Amaitsa.
Also in Pool C, Australia beat Kenya 14-5 in a close-fought clash courtesy of tries from Josh Turner and James Turner, with Denis Abukuse touching down for the Kenyans.
In the final game of the day, Australia ran out comprehensive 38-5 winners over the USA.
Aden Ekanayake, James Turner , Maurice Longbottom (two), Dietrich Roache and Wallace Charlie all scored with Steve Tomasin claiming USA’s sole try.
Turner said: “It was a good performance from the lads against the USA. We had to play a little bit better than we did against Kenya and we managed to do that.
“Both teams are very physical and we had to step up our physicality against the USA. We did that and got our rewards. Now we’ll rest up and prepare for day two.”