Fiji and United States make perfect progress towards World Rugby Sevens seasonal showdown
By Mike Rowbottom
Fiji and the United States, separated by just two points at the top of the World Rugby Sevens Series leaderboard, both reached tomorrow's quarter-finals of the final event of the season in Paris with perfect records.
Rio 2016 champions Fiji, top on 164 points after winning the penultimate event in London last week – where the United States finished third – registered a 52-17 win over England as they opened their account in Stade Jean Bouin.
They followed up with victories over Argentina, 40-26, and Ireland, whom they beat 40-5 to finish top of Pool A.
Their next opponents will be France, who finished second in Pool D after losing their final game 10-17 to New Zealand.
The US maintained their own momentum by beating Spain 31-7, Samoa 33-14 and Canada 26-12 to top Pool C.
The Cup quarter-finals at the #ParisSevens @fijirugby v @FFRugby @USARugby v @OfficialKRU @AllBlacks7s v @unionargentina @Blitzboks v @manusamoa
Find out where to watch: 📺 https://t.co/OryrUJASv4 pic.twitter.com/zn13aYlFdd
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 1, 2019
They will now face Kenya.
The two other quarter-finals will feature Argentina against Pool D winners New Zealand, and South Africa against Samoa.
The four spots up for grabs at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are now decided, with Fiji, the United States and New Zealand joined by South Africa, who needed only to take to the field in Paris to secure qualification.
May 2019: Fiji and US set to battle it out for top spot at World Rugby Sevens Series finale
May 2019: Olympic champions Fiji take overall lead with victory at World Rugby Sevens Series in London
May 2019: United States, Fiji and New Zealand qualify for Tokyo 2020 at World Rugby Sevens Series in London
May 2019: United States aim to edge nearer to historic success at penultimate leg of World Rugby Sevens Series in London
April 2019: South Africa overturn 19-point deficit against Fiji to secure Singapore World Rugby Sevens title
Mike Rowbottom Chief Feature Writer
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Mike Rowbottom, one of Britain's most talented sportswriters, covered the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics and Paralympics as chief feature writer for insidethegames, having covered the previous five summer Games, and four winter Games, for The Independent. He has worked for the Daily Mail, The Times, The Observer, The Sunday Correspondent and The Guardian.
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