At the end of a breathless opening day at the Emirates Airline London Sevens only Australia can still boast a 100% record after they produced the performance of the day to beat the hosts and defending champions England 38-5 in the final pool match.

IRB Sevens World Series leaders Samoa suffered their first defeat in 21 matches against Argentina and next face a mouth-watering clash against closest rivals New Zealand, who drew their final pool match against Kenya.

Reigning World Series champions South Africa came from behind to draw with Fiji and top their group and face the hosts in the last eight, while in-form Australia will play Fiji. In the fourth quarter final tie Wales will play Argentina in a replay of last year's Rugby World Cup Sevens final.

Having won the last three events in Las Vegas, Adelaide and Hong Kong, Samoa currently lead the overall standings with 124 points from New Zealand, who won the first two events in Dubai and George, South Africa. The two sides' last eight tie at Twickenham could be crucial in deciding the outcome of the Series.

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Pool-by-pool

Pool A (Sam, Arg, USA, Ita)

World Series leaders Samoa dominated Pool A early on, but suffered a shock 14-10 loss in their final match against Argentina, who topped the group ahead of the islanders on points difference. Stephen Betham's Samoa side opened up with a convincing 38-14 victory over USA, including two tries from ever-impressive forward Alafoti Fa'osiliva. They followed up with a 41-0 trouncing of Italy, Uale Mai and Ofisa Treviranus each bagging a brace of tries to confirm their Cup quarter final place, and were expected to fare well against the erratic Pumas but came up short.

In a fine game Nicolas Bruzzone scored first for Argentina and although Uale Mai scored either side of the break, Martin Miguel Nunez Lasalle's late effort sealed the win. As a result, Samoa finished second in the group and face the winner of New Zealand's group in the Cup quarters.

The destiny of the pool had been far from certain all day. USA recovered from their opening loss against Samoa to haul back Argentina and win 14-12 at the death, but a surprise loss against Italy in their final match gave the Pumas fresh hope of reaching the Cup quarters on points difference. They took their chance against Samoa with aplomb.

Pool B (NZ, Ken, Wal, Por)

New Zealand responded to Samoa's dominant start by seeing off Wales 43-5 and Portugal 35-12. Kurt Baker again impressed with quick fire hat tricks in both of the Kiwis' first two pool matches. In the final pool match Kenya and New Zealand played out a draw, although New Zealand left it late when DJ Forbes crossed to make the final score 19-19.

Kenya, Portugal and Wales enjoyed mixed fortunes. The Kenyans recorded a tight 17-15 victory over Portugal in their first pool match, the difference being Lavin Asego's conversion of captain Humphrey Kayange's second half try. But the African side suffered a narrow defeat to Wales, Ifan Evans, Rhys Evans (2) and Craig Hill all touching down for the reigning RWC Sevens champions and the Welsh also edged Portugal 14-12.

Pool C (Fij, SA, Can, Fra)

Fiji and South Africa both recorded two opening victories against Canada and France to secure their Cup quarter final places and their 21-21 draw late in the day ensured that the Boks topped the group on points difference.

The Fijians had started with a 28-19 victory over Canada, although Morgan Williams' side nearly caused the first upset of the day - 12-7 up at half time, the Canadians were eventually beaten 28-19. Fiji then outscored France five tries to two, Randall Kamea grabbing a brace in their 29-14 win.

Reigning IRB Sevens World Series champions South Africa ensured they got off to a winning start. First they won a nervy 19-12 victory over improved France, Mzwandile Stick scoring all of their 14 points in the first half before a try from Hoffman Maritz secured the victory, and then their fitness and overall Sevens know-how proved too much for Canada, Ryno Benjamin scoring a hat trick in a handsome 43-0 win.

The Canadians won the pool's other match against France 26-5, Nathan Hirayama scoring twice.

Pool D (Aus, Eng, Sco, Rus)

Twickenham hosts and defending champions England won through to the Cup quarter finals with wins in their first two matches against Russia and Scotland. Twice they came from behind too, rewarding the 38,200 fans with a 29-5 victory against the Russians before coming back from 10-0 down against the Scots to score six tries and win 36-10. Tom Varndell scored his first tries of the tournament and captain Ben Gollings touched down for his 200th IRB Sevens career try.

Australia, who are four points ahead of England in fourth spot in the standings, were one of the form teams and won all three of their pool matches to reach the last eight. A hat trick from Clinton Sills ensured Michael O'Connor's side ran out 43-17 victors against Scotland and they also crossed seven times in their second match, Nick Phipps and Brackin Karauria-Henry both scoring twice as they beat Russia 47-0. A 38-5 victory against hosts England in the final match of day one ensured they qualified for the Cup quarter finals as pool winners, with James Stannard scoring 18 of Australia's points.

Scotland won their pool's other match 24-7 against Russia, with a hat trick of tries from Andrew Turnbull and one for Ally Hogg.