By Tom Chick in Tokyo
The USA reached their first Cup quarter final of the 2013/14 HSBC Sevens World Series at the end of an enthralling day of action at the 2014 Tokyo Sevens.
In a tournament that kick-started their season a year ago, Matt Hawkins' side beat Samoa and drew with Fiji thanks to the instrumental Zack Test to progress to the last eight in round six of the latest Series.
Despite losing to France in their final pool match the USA qualified to set up a quarter final with South Africa on day two after Fiji beat Samoa 33-5 to take top spot in Pool C and confirm USA's progression as pool runners-up.
Ben Ryan's side saved their best performance for last as they defeated Pacific neighbours 33-5 after an earlier 22-19 win over Fiji and the 19-19 draw with the USA. Samisoni Viriviri extended his lead at the top of the try scoring charts with five in Tokyo and they will meet Kenya on day two.
Three end day one with 100%
The defending champions South Africa were one of three teams to maintain a 100% record on day one, defeating Japan, Kenya and Argentina.
England came from 14-0 and 21-7 behind to record an impressive 24-21 win against Australia to top Pool D and end day one with a 100% record having conceded no points in earlier defeats of Scotland and Spain.
Despite Australia's Greg Jeloudev scoring his fifth and sixth tries of the day in the Pool D decider having earlier completed a hat-trick against Scotland, Phil Burgess scored a brace to set up a quarter final with Canada while Australia await the current Series leaders New Zealand.
The All Blacks Sevens ensured they ended day one with a hat-trick of wins as they narrowly beat Canada 22-17. John Moonlight scored a hat-trick for the ever-improving Canadians but it was Bryce Heem who snatched a win after the buzzer had sounded.
Earlier Tim Mikkelson scored a hat-trick as Gordon Tietjens' side won 43-5 against Wales before adding two more in their 40-7 defeat of Portugal and one against Canada.
The hosts Japan drew 14-14 with Argentina in their opening match with Lomano Lemeki, scorer of 27 tries in the Asian Sevens Series, crossing for both of their tries.
Jamie Henry scored one of the best tries of the day in Japan's defeat to the defending champions South Africa before they narrowly lost 12-7 to Kenya. They will face Samoa in the Bowl quarter finals.
Sixth placed Samoa, who will lose points on the leaders in the Series standings having dropped to the Bowl, will face the hosts while Portugal await Scotland, Wales meet Spain and Argentina play France in the Bowl.
Jamie Henry scores try on home soil
