The Cook Islands and Tonga produced the performancea of the day at the Fairmont Homes Adelaide Sevens to underline the strength of Pacific Island rugby and qualify for the Cup quarter finals along with the top seeds on an ultra-competitive day of rugby at the Adelaide Oval.

The Cooks let a 17-0 lead slip as they lost to Scotland early on but then beat Argentina 40-21 with a fine display of running rugby. The Cooks, Argentina and Scotland finished the day level on points but the Cooks' superior points difference took them through ahead of their rivals *. Tonga had to see off Wales to qualify.

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The islanders join series leaders New Zealand, defending Adelaide champions Fiji, Kenya, South Africa, Samoa and hosts Australia in the last eight for the Cup competition.

Quarter final draw
New Zealand v Tonga
Samoa v Cook Islands
South Africa v Kenya
Fiji v Australia

Pool A: New Zealand and Cooks progress

New Zealand overcame Scotland late in the day to send the Cook Islands into the last eight for the first time since 2001.

Earlier in the day, Victor Vito was the outstanding player for the kiwis against Argentina, his power and handling out wide too much for the Pumas as he scored and set up a try for Zar Lawrence in the kiwis' hard-fought 21-14 win, their closest of the season. Gordon Tietjens' side was then pushed equally hard by the Cook Islanders, who took a well deserved lead through Adam Vardey and might have gone further ahead before they flagged and let the fitter New Zealanders in for some cheap tries in the second half.

In the other early matches Scotland showed real resilience to come from 17-0 down at half time to beat the Cooks 22-17. Koiatu Koiatu was outstanding but Jim Thompson scored one and then turned provider to edge it for Scotland. The Scots then lost out against a Gabriel Ascarate-inspired Argentina 19-17 but the Pumas in turn lost against the Cooks, creating a three-way tie behind the kiwis, from which the Cooks qualified for the Cup quarter finals on points difference.

Pool B: Samoa and Tonga through

Samoa came from behind against Tonga in the penultimate match of the day to win 14-12 and top pool B.

A Mikaele Pesamino hat trick saw Samoa to a hard-fought 28-17 win against Wales first up in Adelaide but the Samoans then had to fight until the dying seconds in a thriller against Japan. The Japanese led early on but then leaked some soft tries, only to hit back in stunning fashion with only 90 seconds remaining through replacement Kilryong So. Alafoti Fa'osiliva, though, flew around a despairing defence to steal a 31-26 win for the islanders at the death.

Ualosi Kailea had earlier scored a hat-trick and Teuimuli Kaufusi a brace to help Tonga to an impressive opening 53-0 win over the Japanese. World Cup captain Nili Latu was also outstanding as the Tongans sent out an early message to the two core sides in the pool and they followed that up with a crucial 19-17 win against Wales to join Pacific neighbours Samoa in the quarter finals draw.

Pool C: Hosts qualify with South Africa

South Africa won the pool decider against hosts Australia in the final match of the day but both sides progress to the Cup quarter finals on day two.

James Lew earlier spared the home side's blushes, scoring the winning try for Australia after Canada had led the hosts 14-7. Australia then put in a much improved performance in their second match against the USA, James O’Connor scoring in the opening minute before Willie Bishop stole the show with three tries in a 31-19 victory.

Fabian Juries and Mzwandile Stick were in sparkling form for the Boks as they cruised to a 43-0 win against USA, however they had to work far harded for their victory against Canada. Trailing 17-14 in the final seconds, Mpho Mbiyozo's late try got the Springboks out of jail.

Pool D: Fiji and Kenya win 'group of death'

Fiji beat Kenya late in the day to top pool D but both had earlier ensured qualification for the Cup with wins over England and France.

A double by Setefano Cakau and an 11 point haul from star player William Ryder helped Fiji overwhelm England before the Adelaide defending champions ensured their quarter final berth with a comprehensive 33-12 victory over France, Timoci Matanavou scoring a brace.

Crowd favourites Kenya first came from behind to topple France 19-12 and then maintained their astonishing winning streak against England, holding off a late rally to take the game 17-10. Kenya have now won four of their last five matches against England, including their last three encounters. England also lost to France in their final match of the day.

* If there are two teams tied level on points after pool play the winner between the side goes through. If there are three teams tied the best points difference, then try difference and then points scored and tries scored decides second place.