New Zealand remain unbeaten this season after cruising through Pool A, scoring 85 unanswered points against Wales, France and Scotland. Gordon Tietjens started all 12 of his players in the course of the day and the form showed by the likes of Solomon King, Tafai Ioasa and Tomasi Cama, all normally substitutes, underlined the strength in depth at his disposal.
Second place in the pool went to Scotland, but only on points difference after all three Six Nations sides finished with one win and two losses. In the end Scotland avoided a loss by 32 points or more, which would have put France into the Cup quarters in their place.
Wales’s 14-12 victory was the sole successs for Gareth Baber’s side.
At the USA Sevens there are four pools each comprising four teams. Each side plays three matches, gaining three points for a win, two for a draw and one for a loss. The top two sides in each pool qualify for the Cup quarter finals on day two. The winners of the Cup quarter-finals proceed to the Cup semi-finals, while the losers go on to play in the Plate semi-finals. The bottom two sides in each pool at the end of day one contest the Bowl quarter-finals and then either the Bowl or Shield semi-finals.
Series points are awarded at each of the eight series tournaments as follows:
Cup winner: 20
Cup runner-up: 16
Losing Cup semi-finalists: 12
Plate winner: 8
Plate runner-up: 6
Losing Cup quarter finalists: 4
Bowl winner: 2
