Kiwis close in on Sevens title

GLASGOW (AFP) –

Jean Baptiste Mazoue (C) of France in action against Russia during their Rugby Union Glasgow Sevens game at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland, on May 4, 2013. France won the game 15-14.

New Zealand are just one win away from claiming an 11th World Series title in 14 years after advancing to the quarter-finals of the Glasgow Sevens on Saturday.

Gordon Tietjens’s side, the only team to reach the quarter-finals in all eight tournaments so far, defeated hosts Scotland 28-0 in Glasgow to complete the pool stage with a 100 percent record from their three games.

The current Series leaders scored five tries through five different players to beat England 31-5 in their opening match before scoring six in their victory against Portugal including a debut try for Pita Ahki and nine points from Rocky Khan.

New Zealand topped Pool B and will play Pool C runners-up Argentina in the last eight on Sunday knowing a victory will seal their third straight World Series crown.

England, second in Pool B, defeated Portugal 46-0 after Mike Ellery and Marcus Watson both scored two tries in a victory that secured just their second quarter-final this season.

Pool C winners Fiji lie in wait for England after a 19-17 win over Australia sealed a third successive victory.

Captain Setefano Cakau scored twice as Fiji beat Argentina 28-10, while Benito Masilevu also scored twice in a 45-0 rout of Spain.

Paul Treu’s South Africa defeated Samoa, Kenya and Canada in Pool A to set up a quarter-final clash with the United States, who finished second in Pool D.

Wales won Pool D with a 100 percent record, beating Russia 28-22 in their final match thanks to two tries from Chris Knight after earlier wins over France and Russia.

The Welsh will play Pool A runners-up Canada in the last eight.