Preview: IRB Sevens, Adelaide
Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:41
All-conquering New Zealand can wrap up the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series with victory in this weekend's Adelaide leg.
The Kiwis, 26-12 winners over South Africa in last weekend's Final of the Hong Kong Sevens, are 38 points ahead of the Springboks and can seal an eighth world title in nine years if they clinch the Adelaide leg of the IRB Sevens Series this weekend.
New Zealand are on a record streak of 42 successive wins in the IRB Sevens World Series and have won a record seven tournaments in succession.
This weekend the task of ending the Kiwis' run falls to Scotland, Argentina and the Cook Islands on Saturday ahead of the anticipated clashes with nearest rivals, South Africa and Fiji on Sunday.
Another clean sweep is on the cards if New Zealand continue to play with the authority that they showed in their triumph in Hong Kong for the first time in seven years.
Captain DJ Forbes said his team had developed a self-belief that made them difficult to contain in major matches.
"You have to be confident going into Finals games," Forbes said.
"It is all about pressure and we have certainly taken things forward.
"We have done seven [tournaments] in a row, so why can't we go all the way?
"It is special to us and we have made a bit of history which is something the boys can be proud of.
"We want to be a team that is remembered," added Forbes.
Coach Gordon Tietjens said opponents were struggling to counter New Zealand's muscular style, while singling out Forbes for his leadership.
"The physicality of my players in contact is outstanding and keeping the ball when we need to and also scoring some good tries to go with it," he said.
"Forbes leads from the front and he is ruthless in the contact areas and is just a great leader who inspires the players," added the coach.
Another added incentive for the All Blacks is that Steven Yates will be playing in his final tournament for New Zealand.
Yates was the All Blacks top try-scorer in Hong Kong with eight touchdowns.
He is moving to Japan to play for Toyota.
"We've been in New Zealand for a while and I recently got married, so it was time for a change," said Yates.
"I thought I'd give Super 14 one more crack and missed out on that so I thought it was probably a good idea to go and try out my rugby somewhere else.
"Toyota gave us a good offer and we've taken it, so it'll be something completely different.
"I love the Sevens and it is a really good stepping-stone for us to really grow in our rugby," he added.
Meanwhile, South Africa coach Paul Treu said his squad will have to play smarter in Adelaide if they are to upset the odds.
"One thing we have to realise is that we will never beat New Zealand physically," Treu said.
"We
will have to play the game much smarter and just identify the opportunities on the field," he added.
The Springboks are grouped with hosts Australia, United States and Canada, while Fiji have Kenya, England and France in their pool.
Samoa, fourth in the series standings, head their group containing Tonga, Wales and Japan.
The Springboks will be buoyed by their first Final appearance in Hong Kong last weekend, but they realise that in order to beat the All Blacks, they will need a vast improvement.
"There were a few times when we went into contact and lost crucial possession," said Treu.
"Those are areas that we need to improve on, as well as better execution when we have ball in hand.
"Our confidence is good and we are really looking forward to Adelaide.
"If we can keep our momentum that we have built over the past two tournaments in San Diego and Hong Kong, then I honestly believe that we can reach the Finals of the remaining three tournaments," added True.
On current form, it's hard to see the mighty All Blacks being denied an eighth title in Adelaide.
Only a superhuman effort from the likes of the Springboks, Fiji, Samoa or Australia will halt New Zealand's march to glory.
Adelaide Pools:
Pool A: New Zealand, Scotland, Argentina, Cook Islands
Pool B: Samoa, Tonga, Wales, Japan
Pool C: South Africa, Australia, USA, Canada
Pool D: Fiji, Kenya, England, France
Fixtures:
(Kick-off time is local = (GMT +10.30 hours)
Day One - Saturday, 5 April:
Match 1: Fiji v England, 11.09
Match 2: France v Kenya, 11.31
Match 3 New Zealand v Argentina, 11.53
Match 4 Scotland v Cook Islands, 12.15
Match 5 Samoa v
Wales, 12.37
Match 6 Tonga v Japan, 12.59
Match 7 South Africa v USA, 13.21
Match 8 Australia v Canada, 13.43
Match 9 Fiji v France, 14.15
Match 10 Kenya v England, 14.37
Match 11 New Zealand v Cook Islands, 14.59
Match 12 Scotland v Argentina, 15.21
Match 13 Samoa v Japan, 15.43
Match 14 Tonga v Wales, 16.05
Match 15 Australia v USA, 16.27
Match 16 South Africa v Canada, 16.49
Match 17 England v France, 17.21
Match 18 Argentina v Cook Islands, 17.43
Match 19 Wales v Japan, 18.05
Match 20 USA v Canada, 18.27
Match 21 Fiji v Kenya, 19.04
Match 22 New Zealand v Scotland, 19.26
Match 23 Samoa v Tonga, 17.49
Match 24 South Africa v Australia, 20.10
Day Two - Sunday, 6 April:
Match 25: Bowl quarterfinal,10.38
Match
26: Bowl quarterfinal, 11.00
Match 27: Bowl quarterfinal, 11.22
Match 28: Bowl quarterfinal, 11.44
Match 29: Cup quarterfinal, 12.06
Match 30: Cup quarterfinal, 12.28
Match 31: Cup quarterfinal, 12.50
Match 32: Cup quarterfinal, 13.12
Match 33: Shield semifinal, 13.44
Match 34: Shield semifinal, 14.06
Match 35: Bowl semifinal, 14.28
Match 36: Bowl semifinal, 14.50
Match 37: Plate semifinal, 15.12
Match 38: Plate semifinal, 15.34
Match 39: Cup semifinal, 15.56
Match 40: Cup semifinal 16.18
Match 41: Shield Final, 16.50
Match 42: Bowl final, 17.20
Match 43: Plate Final, 17.50
Match 44: Cup Final, 18.20
With thanks to the IRB
