Treu contemplating his Sevens wonders
Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:42
Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu will be aiming for continuity when he selects his squad for the 2008/09 International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series which starts in Dubai on November 28.
In addition to the IRB series, it is also World Cup season with the tournament, with the showpiece event also taking place on Dubai on March 5-7.
Treu's planning is at an advanced stage and besides finalising contracts for the identified players, he will again be taking an invitation side to Singapore at the end of October.
"I'd obviously like to keep as many of last year's contracted players as possible," True said on Tuesday.
The Bok Sevens did, after all, take South Africa to an unprecedented second place in the eight-tournament IRB World Series.
Treu realises, however, that some of his most experienced players like Kamamba Floors and the two young sensations, Cheetahs Robert Ebersohn and Wilton Pietersen, will probably not be released by their franchises.
"I am not to keen to negotiate that players be released for a short term only," Treu said. He feels it's too disruptive.
Treu aims to contract about 15 players, but depending on his negotiations with the various Super 14 franchises he will have to bring in a few new players.
Among them could be the Emerging Sevens Bok of the Blue Bulls, Shaun Davids, who shone in the Safari Sevens tournament in Kenya against players of international class.
Falcons wing and centre Dewald Pretorius - big, fast and strong - could be another one whom Treu could invite to his training camp in Stellenbosch, while Griffons speedster Cecil Africa - experienced although still at school - could be a sensation on the IRB circuit.
There are a number of players already training at Stellenbosch, among them Marius Schoeman and Mzwandile Stick. They will be joined by more players in the course of next week, True said.
He will, like last year, take a side with a few experienced internationals and a number of promising youngsters to Singapore where the team will again play as the SA Vipers.
IRB Sevens 2008/09 World Series fixtures:
November 28-29, Dubai
December 5-6, George
February 6-7, Wellington (New Zealand)
February 14-15, San Diego
March 27-29, Hong Kong
April 4-5, Adelaide
May 23-24, London
May 30-31, Edinburgh
