In the aftermath of the Springbok Sevens Boys disappointing performance at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai, it’s always great to see just why the Bokke enjoy so much support whenever they’re in action in the UAE… come win or lose.
Introducing the “Treu” Bok Supporters!
So… wanna play? Tell me… Do you?
(Marius Schoeman in the shot was just “incidental” !)
Bok Coach and Sevens legend in his own right Paul Treu is clearly becoming a living legend in this part of the world…
In a day of massive upsets Wales overcame Argentina in the Rugby World Cup Sevens men’s final in Dubai to inscribe their name on the Melrose Cup.They follow England (1993), Fiji (1997), New Zealand (2001) and Fiji (2005) in landing Sevens rugby’s most coveted prize.
Wales scored three tries to Argentina’s two in the final, turning the tables on their more fancied opponents who had beaten them 14-0 in the Pool F decider on Friday. Coach Paul John worked wonders with his side after that loss, ably led by Richie Pugh, Tom Isaacs, Tal Selley and Aled Brew.
It was a confident start to the final by Wales in front of a boisterous crowd, with Pugh crossing for the opening try inside two minutes. Argentina’s Martin Rodriguez then pounced on a Wales mistake, racing 50 metres to score in the corner. Selley continued his great form in the tournament, reclaiming the lead for the Welsh with a smart individual try to make it 12-7 at half time. After the break, Argentina’s Gonzalo Camacho chased down a perfectly placed cross field kick to score in the corner and level the scores.
Just when it looked as if the match was heading into sudden death extra time – just as the women’s final had – Aled Thomas found a way through a tiring Argentina defence to break the deadlock and ensure his side wrote their names into the RWC Sevens history books.
Upsets aplenty on path to finals
While upsets can usually be expected in Sevens, few could have anticipated the fall of defending champions Fiji, New Zealand, England and South Africa in the Cup quarter finals with all four of them touted as possible champions coming into the tournament.
Earlier in the day, Wales sent the crowd at ‘The Sevens’ into a frenzy with a one-point win over New Zealand in the quarter finals, before accounting for Samoa 19-12 in the semi final, becoming the first side through to the Cup final.
The Pacific islanders had themselves produced a mistake-free first half to lead England 21-7 in their quarter final. England fought back well to send the match into sudden death extra time at 26-26, but Samoa had one more challenge up their sleeve for a well deserved five-point win.
The win clearly delighted Samoa coach Rudi Moors, who had struggled to contain his emotions through the match, the final whistle prompting a cartwheel onto the pitch in celebration.
South American hero
Meanwhile, Argentina continued their methodical path to the final with a come-from-behind win over South Africa. Trailing 5-0 at the break, the hero for the Pumas was Martin Bustos Moyano with two second half tries.
Kenya booked a meeting with Argentina in the semi finals after the Africans had arguably caused the biggest upset of the day over Fiji 26-7, giving their fanatical supporters plenty to cheer about and ending the islanders’ reign as world champions.
Coach Benjamin Ayimba had predicted six months ago that Kenya would win this Rugby World Cup Sevens and his team were living up to his word. However the win may have left the Kenyans a little flat, unable to repeat their earlier heroics in the semi final, going down 12-0 to Duncan Forrester’s men.
Plate and Bowl finals go down to the wire
Two closely contested finals saw Scotland defeat Australia 21-17 in the Plate, while Zimbabwe are the only African nation to take home a trophy from RWC Sevens 2009 with a hard fought 17-14 win over Ireland in the Bowl.
Wales have stunned favourites New Zealand to reach the semi-finals of the RWC Sevens tournament at Dubai with a gutsy 15-14 victory.
Paul John’s Welsh team were deemed firm underdogs going into the match but Wales weren’t without confidence as they beat the Kiwis on the world circuit in Wellington a few weeks ago.”The win in Wellington gave the boys a great belief in themselves. But that’s still a fantastic result. To beat New Zealand twice in three weeks is a huge boost for Welsh sevens,” said a delighted John.
“All 10 players that we used were outstanding,” concluded John.
The omens weren’t good in the opening minute when Wales turned over possession for the lanky Zac Lawrence to run round under the posts for a converted try but the Scarlets scrum-half immediately hit back with an individual piece of magic.
He plucked the ball from a ruck and ran 60m down the touchline before standing up Nigel Hunt with a swivel of the hips to race home.
New Zealand lost their ruthlessness as Wales took the game to them and the men I red hit the front for the first time in the match as the halftime hooter sounded. Williams took a quick tap and made room for Richie Pugh who finished wide out to give Wales a 10-7 lead.
The Kiwis hit back when Lote Raikabula sped to the line from 50m to regain the lead at 14-10 but Wales continued to pressure New Zealand into uncharacteristic mistakes. The top seeds looked to have wrapped it up in the dying stages but Viliame Waqaseduadua inexplicably dropped the ball after gathering and having the try-line at his mercy.
With just 60secs to go replacement Tom Isaacs stunned New Zealand when he hacked through a pass from Pugh to send the favourites crashing out.
Wales now face the big hitting Samoans in the semi-finals as they attempt to reach the final later this afternoon.
Argentina rallied from 12-0 down to knock South Africa out of the Rugby World Cup Sevens with a dramatic 14-12 victory over Paul Treu’s men in Dubai.
The South African Women’s team, however, continued their excellent showing at the tournament with a 15-7 victory over the more fancied Spain. The SA women now tackle Australia in one of the semi-finals at 16h46 (local time).
Captain Mpho Mbiyozo and Ryno Benjamin scored tries to give SA an early lead in front of a packed arena in Dubai. Argentina then got into their stride after the break and their two tries, both scored by Martin Bustos Moyano and converted by Martin Rodriques, was enough to saw them through to the last four.
In the women’s quarter-final on the outside pitch, Laura Llado gave Spain an early lead when she ran unchallenged for a converted try. But South Africa kept their composure and upped a defensive gear.
Lorinda Brown, Natasha Hofmeester and Thamie Felani all scored as the SA women took firmly took control of the game for a ground-breaking SA win.
Comment from Paul Treu, Springbok Sevens coach:
“We lost because our defense let us down. We never really committed to the first-time tackle and that allowed Argentina to get back into the game.
“This so disappointing because the same happened to us in Wellington and also in San Diego in the IRB World Series, where we worked so hard for a lead only to gave it away through poor tackling.
“All credit to Argentina, though. We know what they’re capable of and they definitely used their opportunities much better than us. Our season is not over yet – we still have a major goal to aim for in the World Series and will have to work much harder if we want to succeed.”
Denver Wannies, SA Women’s coach:
“I am so thrilled for the women. They played with so much commitment and their confidence grew as the match progressed. We came here not knowing what to expect because we have not really tested ourselves at this level yet, but the girls took their chances and now we are in the semifinals.”
Cup Semifinals (men):
Wales vs. Samoa
Argentina vs. Kenya
Cup Semifinals (Women)
South Africa vs. Australia
United States vs. New Zealand
Wales has beaten Argentina to claim their first-ever Melrose Cup at the IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai.
The Welsh victory caps a pulsating final day great weather, fantastic crowds and great rugby! However, it was also a day of upsets on the pitch, particularly in the Cup Quarter-finals where leading nations New Zealand, England, South Africa as well as defending champions Fiji were eliminated.
Day 3 of arguably the most-successful ever Rugby World Cup Sevens also witnessed the emergence of the so-called smaller nations onto the World Sevens stage, where Zimbabwe won the Bowl Final against Ireland, and Scotland upsetting a youthful Australian side to claim the Plate Final in front of a record crowd.
The IRB Sevens World Series resumes in Hong Kong on March 27-29, 2009.
I just caught a glimpse of the IRB website screen. After the drama of New Zealand, England, South Africa and Fiji being bundled out of the running for the Melrose Cup, the International Rugby Board is NOT taking any chances and anticipating the outcome of the eventual Cup Final.
The current Sevens season in particular has seen the rise of the so-called ‘smaller nations’ in the Sevens game. Countries like Argentina, the US and in particular Kenya have increasingly made their strength known to the traditionally stronger Sevens nations. Who could have anticipated that Wales, Samoa, Argentina and Kenya would progress to the last 4 of the Cup at any World Cup!
Will it be premature to say that a “new Sevens world order” is at hand?
Highlights from the fourth Cup Quarterfinal match between Kenya and Fiji, as it happens at the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai.Time: 14h34 local, 12h34 SA
Remember to refresh your browzer regularly to get the latest highlights.
Admin Addition:
Kenya beat defending champions Fiji 26 – 7 to progress to the Cup Semi-finals.
Highlights from the third Cup Quarterfinal match between South Africa and Argentina, as it happens at the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai.Time: 14h12 local, 12h12 SA
Remember to refresh your browzer regularly to get the latest highlights.
Admin Addition:
Argentina beat South Africa 14 – 12 to progress to the Cup Semi-finals.
