New Zealand unbeaten in pool play

New Zealand’s reward from going three from three in pool play at the Vancouver Sevens is a quarterfinal matchup with England.

The Kiwis completed their day one clean sweep with a 15-14 win over a spirited Canadian side yesterday.

They had earlier recorded wins over Russia 40-0 and Scotland 33-12.

If New Zealand are to make it to their first final of the 2016/17 World Series, they will need to tidy their play from day one.

They had a messy first half against Canada with poor passing and sloppy work at the breakdown proving costly.

Canada got on the board first with a try to Harry Jones, but a solo effort from Vilimoni Koroi, which included a line break and regathering a chip and chase, and a try on halftime to captain Scott Curry put the Kiwis in front.

Koroi’s dazzling footwork was again a feature of New Zealand’s day one effort.

He somewhat spoilt things with an embarrassing knock on 5m out from the tryline with no one in front of him after he had scampered 40m through the Canadian defence.

The teenager has been susceptible to such errors in his brief career, but his ability to break the game open continues to make him the most important player in the New Zealand side.

Koroi made up for his mistake by scoring a try from 5m out where he had his opposite tripping over his own feet.

Canada scored on fulltime, but New Zealand had already locked up the win.

New Zealand’s efforts against Scotland and Russia were slightly more polished.

But they will face a much bigger challenge from England today.

The English are the only side other than South Africa to win a stop on the series so far this season.

England drew with South Africa in their final pool match, but the latter topped their pool through points differential.

That meant South Africa will take on Canada in their quarterfinal, while Fiji will play Australia and the United States play Argentina.