Treu looking for the 'perfect combination'
Sat, 13 Mar 2010 16:02
With the host of injuries and even more call-ups for Super 14 duty, this has not been a good IRB Sevens World Series campaign for defending champions South Africa - and they have a daunting challenge to reach the semi-final in Adelaide next weekend.
In their pool round the Springboks, arriving in Adelaide on Sunday, have the huge task of beating Samoa to top Pool B.
Samoa, perennially fickle with a good performance often followed by an average game or series, have come good this year.
They have a title and two runners-up performances in four tournaments to their credit in the 2009/10 Series.
Should the Springboks not win their pool, they will be up against the winner of Pool A which should be New Zealand, who have to account for an Argentinean side that has been far from impressive this year.
And despite Samoa's comfortable win in the 33-12 final over New Zealand in Las Vegas, the Kiwis remain the star side of the IRB series.
"Of course we aim to win the Adelaide tournament where we are the defending champions," Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu said this week.
"And we've never won in Hong Kong. Wins in these two tournaments remain our target - but I am also using this season identify our future talent.
"All the guys have done well on being introduced to the bit time, but I'm looking for the perfect combination."
And there is, of course, the Commonwealth Games in India in September where a medal is surely a goal and for which the confidence of better performances than a IRB Plate title will mean a lot.
In their pool, the Boks will also have to be wary of France - seldom a real factor but on their day a difficult opponent once they get their confidence going.
In Pool C Fiji's main challenge will come from Kenya and perhaps also Wales who have been blowing hot and cold - but on a higher level of competency than in the past.
England have Australia, a real factor this year and definitely on their way up, in their pool. The United States, even on a good day, should pose very little real threat to the Fijians.
SAPA
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