Treu: 'Boks must get clever'
Sun, 30 Mar 2008 20:10
Clever rugby, not physical confrontation, is the best way to counter the all-conquering New Zealand Sevens team, according to South African coach Paul Treu.
Speaking after the Kiwis had won their fifth tournament of the season, beating the Springboks 26-12 in the Final at Hong Kong, Treu said his team showed they are closing the gap on the runaway leaders of the competition.
It was the Kiwis' first win in Hong Kong, the biggest event on the calendar, since 2001 - with New Zealand extending its record winning streak to 42 matches and seven tournament, taking into account the last two events of the previous season.
Sunday's victory saw the Kiwis race into an almost unassailable lead at the top of the standings after five rounds in the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series. Their 110 points put them 38 clear of the second-placed South Africans, with just three rounds remaining.
Fiji are in third place, a further 10 points behind and for anybody to catch the Kiwis in the overall Series challenge, it would require the New Zealanders getting virtually no points in the remaining tournaments and their rivals winning all three events.
However, for Treu and his men it is not about chasing a series title, but more important to close the gap between the Kiwis and the chasing pack.
"The last time that we played in a Hong Kong Final was 11 years ago, at a Sevens World Cup," Treu said.
"Back then we had world class players like Andre Joubert, Andre Venter, Chester Williams and Joost Van der Westhuizen, whereas there are no big name players in this squad. To come out here and go all the way to the Hong Kong Cup Final is an awesome achievement for our young team.
"One thing that we have to realise is that we will never beat New Zealand physically.
"We will have to play the game much smarter and there were a few times were we went into contact and lost the ball. Those are areas that we need to think about and just identify the opportunities on the field.
"In terms of confidence we are really looking forward to Adelaide and if we can keep our momentum that we have built over the past two tournaments in San Diego and here in Hong Kong, I honestly believe that we can reach all three remaining finals," the Bok coach said.
Bok captain Neil Powell also praised his charges for their performance in Hong Kong and said it was only a matter of time before they beat the All Blacks.
The Boks also lost to the Kiwis in the Final in Round Four, in San Diego in February.
"This New Zealand team is certainly one of the best I've played against in my time on the circuit, but we've shown we're gaining on them and will beat them at some stage. Hopefully we get that chance in Adelaide next week," said Powell.
The Boks got off to the worst possible start in the Hong Kong Final, when they gifted the New Zealanders two easy tries - Lote Raikabula and Steven Yates.
They hit back when Mzwandile Stick capitalized on a rare Kiwi mistake and ran all of 50 metres to score under the posts.
But the Boks did not score again until after the hooter had blown for full-time.
"We made too many mistakes and missed crucial tackles in the early exchanges and that set us back quite a bit," said Powell.
"New Zealand controlled the game from those two tries inside four minutes and we were always playing catch-up.
"They're a well-oiled machine, who're showing awesome form, but in time we can certainly be as potent as they've become recently."
Treu said his players may have been "overawed" by the occasion, playing in a Hong Kong Final.
"They got caught in the moment and conceding two early tries made it very difficult for us. But I think we showed good character to not let them get away with the game."
The Bok coach said his team will grow with time and continue to close the gap on the Kiwis.
"Inexperience is costing us in big games like this, but we're going to get to the stage when we can compete with this New Zealand team on an even footing.
"You must remember they've been together for a few years now and know each other extremely well. They hardly make mistakes because they know how the guys next to them operate. But I'm proud of the guys - they got to the Final of the biggest Sevens tournament in the world."
