Sydney sevens

Blitz Boks extend lead as Pacific teams struggle

The Blitz Boks have won three of the four tournaments this season, opening up a 17 point lead over the English, who leapfrogged Fiji into second place in the overall standings

South Africa coach Neil Powell said it was especially satisfying after losing to England in pool play a day earlier.

"For the guys to come out and beating them in this way was great," he said.

All Blacks Sevens beaten in Sydney semi-final

RNZ reports England will face South Africa in the final after Australia were well beaten by the Blitzboks 26-12 in the second semi-final.

The All Blacks Sevens and England played out a low scoring match marked by ruthless defence, as two teams that rely on power over pace struggled to break a second half deadlock.

Regan Ware scored the opening try and was then denied a second after a lob pass from Tim Mikkelson was ruled forward.

Phil Burgess answered with a try for England giving them parity 5-5 at half-time.

Pool draw made for Sydney Sevens

The draw for the next stop on the series was made at the end of the HSBC Wellington Sevens, which was won by South Africa who beat Fiji, 26-5 at the Westpac Stadium.

The Blitzboks are drawn in Pool A with England, Kenya and Japan. 

Olympic and Sevens Series champions Fiji top Pool B with France, Wales and Samoa. 

After an impressive performance in the second round, where they finished with bronze, Scotland will play hosts Australia, New Zealand and invitational team Papua New Guinea.

No room for Quade Cooper

The former Wallaby, who is attached to French club Toulon, arrived in Sydney on Wednesday, three days before the tournament, but misses the chance to make his national sevens debut with no place found for him in the 12-man squad.

"Due to circumstances which were beyond Quade's control and our control, he just couldn't get enough work in this week with the team," new Australian Sevens head coach Andy Friend said.

Quade Cooper and Sonny Bill Williams set to face off in Sydney Sevens pool match

The Wallabies and the third-ranked All Blacks are scheduled to meet at 9pm on Saturday in the nightcap of the opening day's play. 

Williams was picked in New Zealand's squad on Monday on the back of a fluctuating performance in the third leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series in Wellington over the weekend. 

"I'm really pleased with how I went this weekend to tell you the truth," Williams said afterwards. 

"The pleasing thing is being able to be in an environment where, even though I'm a rookie, everyone wants to help you out."