New Zealand avenged a semifinal defeat at its last stop on the world rugby union sevens circuit when it beat England 24-0 in pool play at the Wellington international tournament.

The win carried New Zealand to the top of Pool A, unbeaten in its three matches, and into a quarterfinal clash Friday with pool B runners-up Samoa.

Australia progressed unbeaten through Pool C, beating Argentina 28-14 in its final match. Argentina troubled the Australians, coming back from 21-0 to 21-14 but Australia sealed the match with a late try.

Australia earlier beat China 10-0 and accounted for Japan 26-5.

Fiji were unbeaten in Pool D but their progress was also unimpressive. It beat France 29-14, Canada 35-19 and tiny Niue 50-0.

Australia will take on France in the quarterfinals while Fiji will clash with Argentina.

Pool B threw up the tightest match of the tournament's first day, a 21-21 draw between defending Wellington champion South Africa and Samoa.

Both teams finished with nine points but South Africa emerged atop the group with a better points difference. It will play England in Saturday's quarterfinals while Samoa faces New Zealand.

England, sparked by former Kiwi rugby league international Henry Paul, shocked New Zealand in the semifinal of last week's Brisbane sevens and twice beat former world champion Fiji to win the tournament for the first time.

Henry was unable to inspire the same level of performance at a stadium where he last played two years ago in a New Zealand rugby league Test against Australia.

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