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Kiwis impressive in Sevens
31/03/2007 18:36 - (SA)
Ben Sheppard
Hong Kong - New Zealand emerged strongly from the pool stage on day two of the Hong Kong Sevens here on Saturday, as the major title contenders all progressed to the quarter-finals.
The Kiwis looked the form team when crushing Russia 54-0, and were again impressive as they beat Kenya 50-14.
Their next opponents, England, who are seeking to add to their record four successive titles, were far less convincing with a 38-14 win against South Korea and messy 19-14 victory over Argentina.
After watching England struggle, New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens said: "My team are happy where we are after three wins out of three.
"We have played consistently in every game. We have rotated all the players, have flexibility, and are injury-free. So we will give England a game tomorrow (Sunday).
"There's no need to motivate anyone on the final day in Hong Kong. England will lift their game and so will we."
In for an exciting time
New Zealand's captain DJ Forbes, who now has an excellent chance of lifting the $100 000 trophy on Sunday evening, said: "We go into tomorrow on a high after our performances.
"England will have the crowd behind them, but everything has been going to plan for us. I think we're in for an exciting time."
England were on the back foot for much of the Argentina game but had earlier show some fluency against South Korea as speedster Charlie Amesbury, 20, scored four scorching tries in eight minutes.
"The English support in the crowd has been unreal, so what it will be like tomorrow I can't imagine," said Amesbury, who plays for London's Harlequins, and was rested for the Argentina game.
Coach Ben Ryan said: "Argentina was a close call. They have a lot of pride and determination, and we made a few mistakes.
"The important thing is we are in the quarter-finals. It was always going to be the hard route for us. We must beat New Zealand, then probably Fiji to get into the finals.
"Tonight we take the Star Ferry across the harbour back to the hotel and make sure we get eight hours' sleep."
Tournament favourites Fiji stuttered against Portugal before coming through 28-7, helped by two tries from Lepani Nabuliwaqa.
They looked much more capable in their 26-0 defeat of Scotland, which included a classically stylish Fiji try by Nasoni Roko.
South Africa had a serious work-out
"We expect hard games in the pool matches. We are looking good for tomorrow," said Fiji veteran Waisale Serevi. "My team want to get this trophy this weekend."
Despite the trouncing, Scotland will play Fiji again in the quarter-finals after qualifying thanks to wins over Sri Lanka and Portugal.
South Africa had a serious work-out against Tonga but finished 31-12 ahead after three tries from playmaker Stefan Basson, and later rolled over Wales 31-0.
"It is always good to have a good contest. Yesterday was too easy against Taiwan," said South Africa coach Paul Treu. "Tonga play a very physical game and are a difficult team to beat."
South Africa must now beat Tonga again after the Pacific side qualified with wins over Wales and Taiwan. Samoa and Australia complete the quarter-final line-up, after Australia beat seeded France 28-14 in the final match of the day.
Thousands of raucous fans packed the 40 000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium for the IRB Sevens World Series' showpiece event, which attracts supporters from all over the world.
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