The New Zealand team paid tribute to the victims from the Christchurch massacre as they wore white instead of their traditional black as they knock off Australia 40–19. Fiji began their defence of the title as they defeated Kenya 22–5 in the other match of Pool C in what was a repeat of last year's final. The cup finalists from the previous round won their first games with France smashing Portugal 40–7 while South Africa was given an early scare in their 22–7 win over Japan. The other two games saw Samoa and Argentina record wins over their opposition.