Star Metro - Series leaders Argentina open Los Angeles Sevens with a win

Leading off Pool A action, Argentina started strong with tries from Tobias Wade and Marcos Moneta to lead 14-0. Spain pulled level, however, with tries from Nico Nieto and Pol Pla.

Argentina, coming off a third straight Vancouver Sevens triumph on Sunday, looked out of sorts, but their set piece excellence was on display as Joaquin Pellandini went over from a midfield scrum.

The scrum was the source again as Moneta powered over for their fourth before Jeremy Trevithick delivered a highlight-reel try for Spain.

Ireland, fueled by three tries in the first half, defeated South Africa 17-0 to set up a tantalizing Pool A clash with Argentina on Saturday.

Elsewhere on the opening day, Australia defeated Vancouver runners-up New Zealand 24-17, the host United States beat Samoa 31-12, and France -- with a try from former World Rugby Player of the Year Antoine Dupont -- thumped Canada 24-7.

Dupont, France's regular 15-a-side captain and scrum-half who has switched to sevens in a bid for Olympic glory in Pairs, added a late try in France's Pool C victory over Canada.

The French, coming off a third-place finish in Vancouver where Dupont made his debut in the series, had already taken the lead thanks to tries from William Iraguha and Stephen Parez.

"The fact that he is here pushes us to give our best," Iraguha said of Dupont. "At his level, he already showed us last weekend what he could do, so all the better if we can all pull each other up like that."

Fiji broke Great Britain's hearts as a last-second score from Josese Batirerega lifted them to a 15-12 victory.

Saturday will see the end of group play and the quarter-finals before the tournament concludes on Sunday.

D.Ch. Nadeau--SMC