Preview: IRB Sevens, London
Thu, 22 May 2008 23:52
The London Leg of the IRB Sevens World Series
New Zealand will set out to defend their title at the London leg of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series on Saturday and Sunday in the knowledge that, should they do so, they will also tie up another series title one event on the circuit to spare.
At the end of March, Gordon Tietjens' side won a first Hong Kong title since 2001. They looked simply unbeatable and in doing so they stretched their record unbeaten run to an incredible 42 matches.
In Adelaide a week later, though, it was a different Kiwi side.
Less than convincing against Argentina and Tonga, they eventually lost in the Final against South Africa, the run ending at 47 wins.
Coach Gordon Tietjens admitted that his side had struggled with the inevitable pressure built up by so many matches unbeaten, had started playing not to lose rather than to win.
These are sentiments shared by New Zealand captain DJ Forbes.
"After the Hong Kong hype it was one of the factors that plagued us a bit, but we can't make excuses, we're professionals and we should always be playing our best footy," Forbes told Total Rugby.
"But it was hard getting up for it [Adelaide] after winning in Hong Kong. We weren't playing our greatest rugby, but the positive coming out of that was that we still made the final, which gives the boys a lot of credit."
The loss against the Boks seems to have lifted that burden and the Kiwis have arrived in London in confident mood ahead of the penultimate Series event at England's home of rugby.
The side needs just seven series points - either reaching the Cup semifinal or winning the Plate - to be sure of wrapping up their eighth title in nine seasons of IRB Sevens.
Despite importance of the occasion Forbes, the rock upon which Tietjens has built this team, is refusing to get carried away.
"I guess we have to come into all these tournaments with confidence, in the sense that we want to do well and we have to prove that we are still there or thereabouts. Seven points sounds easy but Fiji was in the same position last year, had it pretty much there for the taking, and they tripped up. We saw that and we don't want to leave anything to chance," he said.
The line-up has changed en route to the season's European climax.
The most notable absentees are Victor Vito and Steven Yates, who are concentrating on fifteens, while Yates' natural replacement Solomon King has an injured hamstring and is replaced by the more inexperienced Chad Tuoro. There are also debut appearances for Ben Nowell and Kendrick Lynn.
"It's always the case in Sevens, it's been done year-in-year-out and it's part of Titch's job, he likes to see the boys going on to bigger and better things," Forbes continued.
"Full credit to the boys who have made the decision to go on and do other things but it also gives a chance to these other guys to come and show the world what they can do."
Despite losing Mzandile Stick, Marius Schoeman and Renfred Dazel to injury, South Africa again look the strongest challengers to New Zealand in London.
Springbok Kabamba Floors is recalled along with fellow Super 14 stars Danwel Demas and Gio Aplon, while Stefan Basson is nursing a finger injury but could yet force his way back into the side after impressing coach Paul Treu at the Amsterdam International event last week.
"If you look at this team compared to the beginning of the season and maybe even last year, they've got a few of the old experienced boys back," said Forbes.
"They've got a few playmakers and their reliable forwards, it's a challenge to us and we'll be out for revenge having lost to them in Adelaide. We also have a hard pool with Wales and Argie [Argentina] and one of the new teams, so day one's going to be a big one for us and we need to start well.
"I don't want to rest on what we've done already. We set that record, we went 47 games unbeaten, and for me as a captain we don't want that to be forgotten.
"If we don't do well now that record's going to count for nothing, so we need to start well. In Sevens, you're only as good as your last game."
Pools:
Pool A: New Zealand, Wales, Argentina, Moldova
Pool B: South Africa, England, France, Spain
Pool C: Fiji, Australia, Canada, Portugal
Pool D: Samoa, Kenya, Russia, Scotland
Fixtures:
(Kick-off is local time - GMT +1 hour)
Day 1 - May 24:
Match 1: New Zealand v Argentina, 09.00
Match 2: Wales v Moldova, 09.22
Match 3: Fiji v Canada, 09.44
Match 4: Australia v Portugal, 10.06
Match 5: Samoa v Russia, 10.28
Match 6: Kenya v Scotland, 10.50
Match 7: South Africa v France, 11.12
Match 8: England v Spain, 11.34
Match 9: New Zealand v Moldova, 12.06
Match 10: Wales v Argentina, 12.28
Match 11: Fiji v Portugal, 12.50
Match 12: Australia v Canada, 13.12
Match 13: Samoa v Scotland, 13.34
Match 14: Kenya v Russia, 13.56
Match 15: South Africa v Spain, 14.18
Match 16: England v France, 14.40
Match 17: Argentina v Moldova, 15.24
Match 18: Canada v Portugal, 15.46
Match 19: Russia v Scotland, 16.08
Match 20: France v Spain, 16.30
Match 21: New Zealand v Wales, 16.52
Match 22: Fiji v Australia, 17.14
Match 23: Samoa v Kenya, 17.36
Match 24: South Africa v England, 17.58
Day 2 - May 25:
Bowl quarterfinals:
Match 25: 3rd Pool A v 4th Pool B, 11.00
Match 26: 3rd Pool D v 4th Pool C, 11.22
Match 27: 3rd Pool C v 4th Pool D, 11.44
Match 28: 3rd Pool B v 4th Pool A, 12.06
Cup quarterfinals:
Match 29: 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B,
12.28
Match 30: 1st Pool D v 2nd Pool C, 12.50
Match 31: 1st Pool C v 2nd Pool D, 13.12
Match 32: 1st Pool B v 2nd Pool A, 13.34
Shield semifinals:
Match 33: Loser M25 v Loser M26, 14.06
Match 34: Loser M27 v Loser M28, 14.28
Bowl semifinals:
Match 35: Winner M25 v Winner M26, 14.50
Match 36: Winner M27 v Winner M28, 15.12
Plate semifinals:
Match 37: Loser M29 v Loser M30, 15.34
Match 38: Loser M31 v Loser M32, 15.56
Cup semifinals:
Match 39: Winner M29 v Winner M30, 16.44
Match 40: Winner M31 v Winner M32, 17.06
Shield Final:
Match 41: Winner M33 v Winner M34, 17.28
Bowl Final:
Match 42: Winner M35 v Winner M36, 17.56
Plate Final:
Match 43: Winner M37 v Winner M38, 18.24
Cup Final:
Match 44: Winner M39 v Winner
M40, 18.52
With thanks to the IRB
