Lote Tuqiri gave Australian Rugby Union officials an immediate dividend with a starring role in his first appearance in the World Sevens tournament at Ballymore.

Tuqiri flattened an opponent during a charging run with his first touch of the ball as Australia breezed past Tonga 41-0 in its opening pool match of the two-day tournament.

Tuqiri had a hand in three tries, including one for Wallaby Chris Latham, and his first outing was as impressive as ARU officials could have hoped when they lured the winger from rugby league last season.

The 23-year-old showed his sharp instincts, setting up Latham's second try with a slick 30-metre run down the righthand touchline.

Tuqiri's performance seemed more natural than the sevens debut of his former Brisbane Broncos teammate Wendell Sailor, who looked in learning mode when he played at the same tournament last year.

But Tuqiri said he was nervous before his opening match on a wet afternoon.

"I was like a mouse before the game and once I was out there I had jelly legs," he said.

"It was just a relief to get my hands on the ball and get onto a proper field.

"I haven't played for four months and I wasn't sure what the crowd was expecting. There was a bit of pressure there so I was just trying to go out there and have some fun."

The crowd had plenty of fun watching Tuqiri crash into Tongan Taniela Funaki in the second minute and play continued with Sydney University flyhalf Brock James scoring in the left-hand corner.

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