TOKYO, 26 JULY 2021 (IOS) --- Joe Webber of New Zealand feared for his career when a bout of reactive arthritis kept him out of rugby sevens for more than a year during 2018 and 2019.

The 27-year-old has since bounced back in style, and impressed as New Zealand opened their Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 account with victories over Republic of Korea and Argentina to qualify for Tuesday’s quarterfinals.

“It was a hard time, painful on the joints, and that was the scary thing - just not knowing,” Webber said.

“Even the doctors couldn’t tell me when it would go away. I’m just really grateful to be back playing, and playing here at the Olympics.”

The top two sides in each of the three pools, and two highest-ranked third-placed teams, progress to the last eight.

New Zealand endured a disappointing Rio Games in 2016, failing to win a medal, but the Tokyo top seeds looked in threatening form as they powered into the quarterfinals.

Fiji, who eliminated the Kiwis en route to gold five years ago, also sealed a last-eight berth with successive pool wins.

In an enticing rerun of the 2016 showpiece, Fiji coach Gareth Baber’s men face another side guaranteed a last-eight berth - unbeaten Great Britain, yet to concede a point - in Tuesday’s pool B finale.

“I remember watching the 2016 final at home on my sofa,” Harry Glover said. “Four guys in our squad were out there, and hopefully we can get a bit of revenge.”

South Africa and United States are through to the quarterfinals having won their respective pool C fixtures, while Ireland and Kenya meet today in a straight fight for third place in the pool.

Australia and Argentina will vie for second spot in pool A, although both are strongly placed to progress on four points apiece.

Australia meet regional rivals New Zealand while Argentina take on Republic of Korea.