New Zealand 7s team beat Scotland first-up

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Sevens

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New Zealand made a successful start to the Adelaide leg of the International Rugby Board World Sevens Series by beating Scotland 31-0 tonight.

New Zealand, who lead the eight-tournament competition standings heading into this weekend's fifth event, were too strong in the pool A opener at the Adelaide Oval scoring five tries while keeping their line intact.

Kurt Baker started the rout after 39 seconds before Fritz Lee and DJ Forbes gave New Zealand a 19-point buffer at halftime.

Tim Mikkelson and Zar Lawrence inflated the margin as Gordon Tietjens rotated his personnel.

Second-placed Samoa started their campaign in pool B with a 33-12 defeat of France but in the upset of the opening programme Wales beat Fiji 17-12 in pool C.

Series defending champions South Africa kicked off in pool B with a 40-0 thrashing of Japan.

New Zealand had to make a late change to their squad when the experienced Lote Raikabula was ruled out with a bicep injury.

He was replaced by Wellington's Taleta Tupuola, who made his debut in the latter stages of tonight's match.

Meanwhile, Save Tokula will be available for the final pool game against Argentina tomorrow night after completing a four-match suspension imposed during the last tournament in Las Vegas.

New Zealand's first assignment tomorrow is Tonga. The tournament ends on Sunday.

Australia crashed through the tiny Pacific island nation of Niue on the opening night of the Adelaide Sevens, notching a 40-5 victory after a pair of upsets befell England and Fiji.

The home side are ambitious about lifting the tournament trophy on Sunday at Adelaide Oval and made an ideal start, running in six tries to one, with 17-year-old back Liam Gill particularly impressive.

It is a big tournament for several members of the young Australian squad, as Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has taken a keen interest in their fortunes as he looks at the fast-paced format as a pointer to future 15s squads.

The Australians can rise to fourth on the world sevens table this tournament, a goal that was helped by the USA's upset win over England 24-21.

Pacific powerhouse Fiji, meanwhile, fell short of a sprightly Welsh unit that recorded an entertaining 17-12 result.

In the other matches, New Zealand brushed Scotland aside 31-0 and Argentina came from behind to claim a narrow 19-17 win over Tonga.

South Africa's first-up 40-0 win over Japan was soured by a knee injury to Steven Hunt, who doubled over in pain inside a minute of the kick-off and was later seen lumbering around on crutches.

Samoa, champions in the previous event in Las Vegas, emerged from a willing contest with France to win 33-12 in the tournament opener.

New Zealand 31 (Kurt Baker, Fritz Lee, DJ Forbes, Tim Mikkelson, Zar Lawrence tries; Tomasi Cama 3 con) Scotland 0. Halftime: 19-0.

- with AAP

- NZPA