Kenya were impressive in a 38-0 rout of Tonga in their opening game – Photo: IRB/Martin Sera Lima

by Brendan Bradford –

The sun is out on the Gold Coast and the first round of pool matches have just finished with New Zealand, Kenya and England recording big wins while Australia stumbled against Scotland, only managing a draw.

New Zealand made light work of the USA in the opening match, running in six tries including a double to Tim Mikkelson while former American sprinter Carlin Isles spent most of the match on the bench.

Kenya put on a great show in the second match, defeating a sluggish Tongan outfit 38-0 proving they’ll be one the tournament’s entertainers. A 50-meter Collins Injera try in which he outpaced the defence down the short side and over-powered another couple of tacklers close to the line was a highlight.

South Africa proved far too strong for France in Pool B, converting a 19-0 halftime lead into a 29-5 win in a hard fought second half with five different players crossing for tries.

Tomasi Cama scored 13 of New Zealand’s
38-points against the USA
Photo: IRB/Martin Seras Lima

England became the first side to crack the half century by running in eight tries in a 54-7 defeat of Spain in the second Pool B match. There was plenty of action with Tom Mitchell scoring 16-points and Dan Bibby nabbing a hat-trick, but the biggest cheer of the day came when Spain finished off a length of the field move to score in the corner with two minutes to play. The resulting successful sideline conversion also got the crowd on its feet.

Fiji – in their first tournament under former England coach Ben Ryan – played within themselves to beat Canada 20-10 with Ilai Tinai becoming the second player to notch a hat-trick.

Wales overcame an early scare to beat Portugal 33-14 in Group C. Tries to Pedro Leal and Joao Lino just before halftime saw the Portuguese take a 14-7 lead into the break, but Wales – playing in an unfamiliar green away strip – maintained composure to dot down four times in the second half and top the group.

Samoa overcame Argentina in an arm-wrestle in the first match in the so-called ‘Group of Death’ which also features Australia and Scotland. With a slim 7-0 lead at halftime, Samoa dominated the second stanza, running in three tries before the Aregntines scored after the siren.

Australia looked to be cruising past Scotland in the last game of the first round of pool matches. Leading 21-0 with less than five minutes to play, Australia took their foot off the pedal and allowed Scotland to nab two quick tries as the clock wound down. Even then, the win seemed secure until a line break after the final siren saw Scottish flyer James Fleming dot down under the posts. Alex Glashan made no mistakes with the conversion from right in front and pool D was already living up to its billing as the ‘Group of Death’.

Round One Results:

Pool A – New Zealand 38 – 0 USA

Pool A – Kenya 38 – 0 Tonga

Pool B – South Africa 29 – 5 France

Pool B – England 54 – 7 Spain

Pool C – Fiji 20 – 10 Canada

Pool C – Wales 33 – 14 Portugal

Pool D – Samoa 26 – 7 Argentina

Pool D – Australia 21 – 21 Scotland