Hong Kong Sevens

Pablo Feijoo’s side clinched a memorable 17-12 win over Australia, when Ignacio Martin Goenaga’s scored off the last play of the game. It was his second try of the match after Inaki Villanueva had opened their account during the first minute.

Scotland also ran in a last gasp score against England to take a narrow 22-19 victory, following over 70 seconds of phase play ending with Lee Jones going over the whitewash. 

The Fijians dominated South Africa 22-0 in the final, helped by two tries from Kalione Nasoko.

Fiji has now won five of the last six tournaments in Hong Kong.

Captain Osea Kolinisau acknowledged the successful history but told World Rugby it didn't play a big part in their build-up this week.

"We weren't focusing on doing it three times," Kolinisau said.

"We said that we were going to take it as if we were searching for [our] first title in the series and I am glad that everybody was up to par and everybody did their job."

However in the second game the team handled by former Kenyan international Tolbert Onyango fell 24-0 to Germany. Uganda will now need to beat Jamaica on Saturday in the last group game to qualify for the next round of the competition.

The Germany team has already qualified for the next round after stopping Jamaica 31-7 in their opening game, while Tonga managed a 14-5 victory over Jamaica in another Group E match.

Kenya also kick started the competition in style with a 17-7 win over Argentina before they fell 26-7 to Italy in the second game.

The two old rivals are in the same pool, alongside Wales and Japan.

Waldrom said Wales were a side with speed and a huge work-rate while Japan would gain an insight into the Kiwi camp, having former New Zealand assistant coach and player Damian Karauna at the helm.

However, Waldrom said Fiji could well be the team to beat at the tournament.

"Fiji has just been on fire the last few years," he said.

"They love being in Hong Kong, that's why they are the team that has won the most tournaments in Hong Kong.

World Rugby brought in a tougher approach to dangerous tackling this year, with zero tolerance for reckless or accidental tackles that make contact with a players head.

Head coach Gareth Baber said last month the players would have to make adjustments to their tackling technique, to ensure they keep seven players on the field.

Two tournaments on he said it was still a work in progress.

Fiji is third in the competition standings after six of ten rounds, 26 points behind runaway leaders South Africa, but will arrive in Hong Kong as defending champions.

"I know and understand what the Hong Kong Sevens means to Fiji and the Fijian people and I have selected a team that I believe will be able to compete with the other top teams," said Fiji head coach Gareth Baber.

The pools were announced for all three tournaments at a special draw in Hong Kong on Monday.

The Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens will take place on 7-9 April at the Hong Kong Stadium with England the top seeds after beating South Africa in the gold medal match at the HSBC Canada Sevens in Vancouver on Sunday.

Simon Amor's team, who also won in Cape Town, will play Australia, Samoa and invitational side Korea in Pool A in Hong Kong, while South Africa, who lead the series standings after six rounds, will meet Canada, Kenya and France in Pool B.

RNZI reports Pita Ahki's try gave New Zealand an early 7-nil lead but Fiji struck back before half-time to level the ledger at the break before scoring two second half tries to seal victory.

New Zealand had beaten South Africa in the second period of extra time in the semi-finals and coach Sir Gordon Tietjens said he was pleased with his side's performance.

Pita Ahki also returns to the side after last playing for New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. He was also a member of the 2013 World Cup sevens winning side.

Coach Gordon Tietjens said it was a tough selection after yesterday's trial.