NZ and Australia lead the way in Oceania

Those two sides are already qualified for the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 so it will be down to the next remaining top side going through to the next path of qualification should NZ and Australia both reach the final, as expected.

The top team from the other six competitors will advance to the next round of qualification at the Asian Rugby Football Union regional qualifier in Pune, India in October.

After day one, host nation Fiji and Papua New Guinea look best placed to have the top chance at this after both recorded two wins.

All eyes were on New Zealand as they made their long awaited return to the Sevens game under new coach Sean Horan and an entire new squad and they didnt disappoint with a 54-0 early win over Tonga with a hat-trick from Sarah Goss and the rest from Kendra Cocksedge (2), Huriana Manuel (2) and Moana Forbes. New Zealand then beat Cook Islands 27-0 with scores from Shakira Baker, Sarah Goss (2), Hazel Tubic and Moana Forbes before rounding off with a tighter 19-7 win over Fiji with tries from Linda Itunu, Sarah Goss and Kayla McAlister while Fiji scored through Ana Maria Roqic.

Australia, the reigning World Champions at Sevens, opened up with a huge 50-0 win over Solomon Islands tries from Cheyenne Cambell, Bo De La Cruz (2), Amy Turner, Emilee Cherry (2), Tricia Brown and Alicia Quirk and then a 29-7 win over PNG (Shontelle Stowers, Cobie-Jane Morgan, Iliseva Batibasaga, Emilee Cherry, Tricia Brown) while PNG scored through Joanne Lagona. Their final game was against Samoa and they had no real trouble coming through 34-0 (Rebecca Tavo (2), Illiseva Batibasaga (2), Emilee Cherry (2)

Host nation Fiji will be pleased with their progress, following an opening 36-7 win over Cook Islands (tries from Pricilla Sauvavi Siata (2), Rusila Nagasau, Lavenia Tinai (2), Adi Tokasa Raikoso) and then a huge 45-0 win over Tonga (Adi Asenaca Koila, Talica Vodo, Rusila Nagasau, Lavenia Tinai, Rusila Tamoi, Atasa Likutokalau (2)). The loss to New Zealand at the end of the day puts them in second spot in their pool and in with a great shout to qualify through to the next round of the World Cup process.

The side that look set to stand in their way are PNG who despite suffering a second loss to Australia, rallied to beat Solomon Islands 38-0 (Kymlie Rapilla, Dulcie Bomai, Joanne Lagona (3), Julianne Yallon) to add to their tight win over Samoa in round one. PNGs Joanne Lagona finished day one as the top points scorer of the tournament with 37.

On Day Two New Zealand and Australia will be expected to meet in the final, with PNG and Fiji batting it out for the all important third spot.

Day 1 Results - 3 August 2012

Samoa 10 - 17 Papua New Guinea

Australia 50 - 0 Solomon Islands

Fiji 36 - 7 Cook Islands

New Zealand 54 0 Tonga

Samoa 36 - 0 Solomon Islands

Australia 29 - 7 Papua New Guinea

Fiji 45 0 Tonga

New Zealand 27 0 Cook Islands

Papua New Guinea 38 - 0 Solomon Islands

Australia 34 - 0 Samoa

Cook Islands 0 - 15 Tonga

New Zealand 19 - 7 Fiji

Picture thanks to www.oceaniarugby.com/zoomfiji