Kiwis face tough London draw
Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:33
Top seeds New Zealand have been handed a tough pool draw as they bid to close out their International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series title defence at the London tournament next month.
The Kiwis are drawn with Wales, Argentina and European newcomers Moldova for the seventh and penultimate event of the 2007/08 Series, which takes place at Twickenham on May 24 and 25.
Argentina pushed the New Zealanders close in their pool clash at the Adelaide Sevens in April, before South Africa finally broke their unprecedented 47-match unbeaten run - which had seen them win seven straight tournaments, including the first five this season.
In winning the Adelaide Final, South Africa closed the gap on New Zealand to 34 points in the Series standings, but the Kiwis need just seven points from the London event - victory in the Plate (8 points) or a place in the Cup semifinals (12 points) - to tie up their overall title defence.
South Africa are the number two seeds at Twickenham and face hosts England, who went without a win in Adelaide but will be hoping to bounce back on home soil. Also in the group are the unpredictable French and the rapidly improving Spanish national Sevens side, who finished an impressive third in last year's FIRA European Sevens behind winners Russia and France.
Fiji top pool C as number three seeds and face Australia, Canada and Portugal. The Fijians last won an IRB Sevens World Series Cup title in April 2007 in Adelaide and are to receive increased input and support from national 15-a-side coach Ilivasi Tabua in preparation for the final two legs.
Samoa head pool D and face another tough pool challenge against Kenya, who have reached five quarterfinals and one semifinal this season. Also in the pool are European champions Russia and Scotland, who will be bidding to bounce back from a disappointing run of results in Hong Kong and
Adelaide after a consistent start to the season.
"New Zealand took a firm grip on this Series right from the start and for a while it looked as if they might go a whole season unbeaten," said IRB Sevens Manager Beth Coalter.
"Adelaide was probably the most competitive tournament of the year with South Africa winning the Cup and Tonga and the Cook Islands both reaching the Cup quarterfinal. Russia and Portugal have both already had an opportunity to compete against the strengths of the core teams so together with Spain and Moldova, they will be keen to make as strong an impression as possible.
"In terms of stadia, there are no greater stages on which to perform than Twickenham and then Murrayfield so I'm sure all the players are looking forward to the season's European climax."
