San Francisco: The new knockout format didn’t claim any major upset victims during the first day of the Rugby World Cup Sevens.
Siviwe Soyizwapi scored four tries to lead top men’s seeds South Africa past Ireland 45-7, while No. 3 New Zealand dominated Russia 29-5 in their bid to become the first three-time men’s Rugby World Cup Sevens champions.
Second-seeded Fiji received a tough early test from Japan but pulled away with a relentless second half in a 35-10 win. Reigning World Series player of the year Perry Baker scored two tries of 60-plus metres for the US in a 35-0 blanking of Wales.
“You can’t help but love that and get that boost,” Baker said after taking a victory lap around AT&T Park, home of baseball’s San Francisco Giants.
