Dubai - AFP
Defending champions England battled past New Zealand to set up a semi-final against Fiji on the second day of the Dubai leg of the IRB World Sevens Series on Saturday. The Kiwis, nine-time winners of the Series over the last 12 seasons, were undone by England's aggressive defence. New Zealand's playmaker Tomasi Cama opened the scoring with a try he converted himself, but England hit back with tries from the impressive Dan Norton and Mat Turner for a nail-biting 10-7 victory. England will play Fiji in the semi-finals after the Pacific Islanders dismantled Australia 34-7 in a dominant display that saw them run in six tries. The second semi-final clash sees Argentina play France. Los Pumas notched up a 7-5 victory over Wales in the quarters, Joaquin Diaz Bonilla nailing the all-important conversion with the last kick of the game. And the French, led superbly by Terry Bouhraoua, claimed the shock result of the morning's play, outwitting South Africa 19-5 to book their berth.