George Sevens a superb success
10 December 2007The home team didn't win - New Zealand did - but the George Sevens, the second leg of the 2007/08 IRB Sevens World Series, proved to be a resounding success, with animated crowds lending the event a colourful, fun-filled flavour.
In many ways, the scene in George was reminiscent of the inaugural Twenty20 World Championships, hosted by South Africa in September and widely praised for producing an adrenaline-filled atmosphere that was sorely missed at the Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.
The organisers of the South African leg of the eight-tournament IRB Sevens World Series went to great lengths in the week leading up to the event to make the community of the Southern Cape town feel a real part of the event and they certainly succeeded in doing just that.
Just short
There were plenty of South African flags flying in the crowd and coach Paul Treu and his men enjoyed fine support, but they once again
came up just short of winning on home ground, falling in the semi-finals of the Cup, as they had the weekend before in Dubai.
The South African team was among the most impressive on show on the opening day, conceding only one try in three matches, on its way to topping Pool C in convincing fashion.
Argentina presented a potential trap game in SA's first outings, but an impressive 24-7 victory put the team in a good position to top the group with matches against Uganda and Wales to follow.
The Ugandans, much smaller than South Africa and having not played in Dubai the previous weekend, offered little resistance and were beaten 41-0. Wales also failed to trouble SA and fell 31-0 as Paul Treu's side finished the first day having scored 96 points and given up only seven.
Pool winners
The other three pool winners also won three from three, but Dubai champions New Zealand almost stumbled against England in Pool A. They needed a try
after the hooter to edge ahead 26-24. Earlier, Kenya had stunned the English 17-7, thus securing their spot in the quarterfinals of the Cup with the Kiwis.
Gordon Tietjens' charges also defeated the Kenyans 17-0 and crushed Zimbabwe 41-0.
Fiji, beaten in the Dubai final by New Zealand, cruised through Pool B, with wins of 29-0 over Canada, 47-7 over the USA, and 34-12 over France.
Pool D honours went to Samoa. After opening with a 38-7 victory over Scotland, they saw off Tunisia 22-14 and held off Australia 20-19.
Close call
After South Africa's strong showing on the opening day, hopes of a first Cup title on home soil were high, but the home side nearly crashed out in the quarterfinals against lightly-regarded Scotland after a below-par defensive performance. A try after the hooter had sounded by Vuyo Zangqe, however, ensured SA advanced to a semi-final showdown against Fiji with a 21-17 victory.
The Fijians booked their final-four berth with a 24-12 win over Kenya, while New Zealand easily blanked the USA 36-0, and Argentina upset Samoa 22-19.
In the semi-finals, a tight tussle was decided at the death when Tomasi Mawi wrestled his way out of a tackle and went over for a try. Fiji triumphed 21-12, and, for the second week in succession, South Africa bowed out after a hard-fought semi-final clash.
SA coach Paul Treu put the loss down to some poor decision-making and experience, saying that one shouldn't kick to the dangerous Fijians in the Sevens game.
Winning ways
New Zealand, meanwhile, continued their winning ways, who took advantage of turnover ball to dump Argentina 38-14.
The final resembled the Dubai title decider as the Kiwis raced into a big early lead on their way to their fourth title in succession, winning by a surprisingly easy margin of 34-7; in Dubai, the New Zealanders opened up a 26-0 lead before going on to a 26-21 win.
The victory gave New Zealand a maximum 40 points from two tournaments, with Fiji in second place on 32, followed by South Africa on 24 and Argentina and 20.
Other competitions
Victory in the Plate competition went to Kenya as they edged the USA 15-14 for the silverware. In the semi-finals, the Kenyans scored a late try to sneak by Scotland 17-15, while the Americans, playing in all eight events for the first time, upset Samoa 24-19.
Wales claimed the Bowl title after fighting back from 19-7 down to edge England 21-19.
A sudden death try by James Lewis had seen the Welsh into the final with a 22-17 win over France, while England defeated Australia 29-14.
Canada secured the Shield with a 31-14 win over Zimbabwe after they led 26-0 at halftime.
The Canadians beat Uganda 31-5 in the semi-finals, while Zimbabwe accounted for Tunisia 21-17.
The IRB Sevens World Series takes a break until 1 February 2008 when the third leg takes place in Wellington, New Zealand.
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