Top seeds safely through to Cup quarters in Dubai

In pool B it became clear it would be a straight competition between pacific rivals Fiji and Samoa.

All the top seeds came through the first day to qualify for the Cup quarter finals at the end of the first day of the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens, the opening tournament of the 2009/10 IRB World Series.

Defending champions and series title holders South Africa will face Fiji in the first of the quarters on Saturday but will be aware that New Zealand, matched against Kenya, England who take on Argentina and Samoa who face Australia all impressed in the pool stages.

South Africa skipper Paul Delport shook off the favourites tag when he said: "Everyone is expecting us to win after our success last year but the game has progressed and developed. There are many good teams now."

The Boks, drawn in pool A were given a tough opening game against world champions Wales before winning 28-14 with tries from Mzwandile Stick, Delport, Ryno Benjamin and Mpho Mbiyozo.

Arabian Gulf were easy prey for South Africa and in their final game Delport's side made it look easy against Australia, running in five tries to win 29-0.

In pool B it became clear it would be a straight competition between pacific rivals Fiji and Samoa.

In the event the two island teams, having each achieved wins over Scotland and Zimbabwe, fought out a bruising battle that ended in a 12-12 draw. But Samoa had a better points differential leaving them to top the group.

- This was a surprise for us. We never expected to be placed first in the pool - said Samoa coach Steven Betham.

Pool C was all about whether the rapidly improving Kenyans were good enough to overtake last year's Dubai runners-up, England. In the shoot out between the two England were held to a 12-10 scoreline at half time but in the second half tries by Series record points scorer Ben Gollings, speedster Jake Abbot and scrum half Mat Turner made it a comfortable win by 27-10.

Being strongly tipped for the Dubai title are New Zealand, who made an emphatic statement in their final pool match against Argentina with a 38-7 win over what was an inexperienced Pumas side.

- Argentina stretched us in the first half but then we were able to pull away and express ourselves - said New Zealand captain DJ Forbes.

New Zealand look likely to meet South Africa in the first semi final, while in the second of the semis the odds are on a England v Samoa tie.