Australia has overcome bogey side Argentina to move a step closer to the quarter-finals of the rugby sevens world series opener on the Gold Coast.

The hosts bounced back from their disappointing 21-all draw against Scotland to post a 22-7 win and keep themselves alive in the tournament at Skilled Park.

The win means if Scotland fail to beat Argentina in their final pool match on Saturday afternoon Australia are guaranteed of a quarter-final berth regardless of the result of their match against Samoa.

After Lucas de Vicenzi gave Argentina an early lead, the Australians responded superbly with Sean McMahon’s second try of the tournament and two tries to Nick Malouf ensuring a 17-7 halftime lead.

Debutant Tom Lucas wrapped up the win with the only points of the second half.

The four-tries to one victory over the Pumas gives coach Michael O’Connor’s men some revenge for last year when Argentina beat Australia 19-17 in the plate semi-finals.

“Argentina are so unpredictable, some days they’ll come out there and you don’t know what they’ll be doing,” McMahon told AAP.

“It does give us a little bit of confidence going into Samoa … but we’ve still got to go out there and give it a red-hot crack against Samoa so we have two wins under the belt.”

Samoa, who easily accounted for Argentina in their opening match, were made to work hard for a 19-12 win over the Scots.

In other matches, favourites New Zealand and Fiji continued their perfect starts to the tournament while Kenya, England and South Africa have also picked up two wins from two games.

Canada have caused the only upset of the tournament so far, beating Wales 19-14.