Mokuena stays Treu to Sevens Boks
Fri, 30 May 2008 17:09
South Africa have recalled former Sevens captain Jonathan Mokuena for the final tournament in the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series in Edinburgh, starting on Saturday.
Sweeper Vuyo Zangqa was ruled out with an ankle injury and Jonathan Mokuena returns in his place.
Stefan Basson or Fabian Juries will play sweeper at Murrayfield on the opening day of the two-day tournament.
Paul Treu was understandably disappointed with his team's poor performance on the second day of the London tournament.
His charges must now reach the Cup Final to secure the runners-up spot behind champions New Zealand because Samoa and Fiji are within striking distance of the South Africans.
Samoa emerged victorious in London after beating Fiji in a controversial Final.
The Kiwis beat South Africa 19-12 in the Plate Final after both teams were shocked in the quarterfinals - the Sevens Boks losing 12-0 to Argentina and England getting the better of New Zealand by 17-12.
The Pumas are also South Africa's first opponents in a tough pool game on Saturday. The other teams in Pool B are Australia and hosts Scotland.
"We are facing a tough pool and will have to be at our best from the first whistle," said Bok Sevens coach Paul Treu.
"We can still finish second overall behind New Zealand, but we can also finish fourth. That alone should be enough motivation for the guys to raise the bar this weekend," said Treu.
New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens is taking the opportunity to blood some fresh young talent at the season-ending Edinburgh Sevens this weekend, with an eighth IRB Sevens World Series title safely wrapped up last week in London.
With next year's Rugby World Cup Sevens fast approaching, Tietjens is torn between wanting to finish another fine season on a high and the need to test new players in the toughest of environments.
Tim Mikkelson and Samoan-born David Smith are named in his squad alongside Kendrick Lynn and Ben Nowells, who made their debuts last week.
Add to the mix 19-year-old Israel Dagg, Nafi Tuitavake and Chad Tuoro and there is a very inexperienced element to the squad to compliment the steely but dwindling core supplied by captain DJ Forbes, Lote Raikabula, Tomasi Cama, Nigel Hunt and Solomon King.
Zar Lawrence has returned to New Zealand, along with the injured Edwin Cocker.
"We'd love to go out on a high but I've got some young players here and it's a chance for them to impress ahead of next year," said Tietjens.
"All of them have ambitions to be at the World Cup so it's a great opportunity for me to see what they can give me in a Sevens tournament.
"David Smith's come in, he's a very exciting player and he's only just become eligible for New Zealand and it's exciting for him to play in his first black jersey.
"The conditioning will be difficult for him and I'll pick and choose the games I play him in but he's a class footballer and he'll be a handful for the sides he plays against," Tietjens explained.
In other team news, Australia coach Bill Millard has drafted James Lew into his squad in place of Damon Murphy.
For England, Ben Foden, Lee Dickson and Rob Webber leave the squad to join up with the Saxons ahead of the Churchill Cup, replaced by three newcomers Chris Cracknell, James Rodwell and Ollie Cook.
Kenya captain Dennis Mwanja has been replaced in their side by debutant Joshua Gathumbi and France recall the experienced Julien Carraud in place of Emeric Chretien.
Wales have called up Lee Williams and Tal Selley and Spain also make two changes to the side that competed at Twickenham, Diego Gorosito and Fernando Dominguez coming into the side for Antonio Barrera and Martin Heredia.
SAPA
