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Bok Sevens in confident mood
01/04/2008 12:13 - (SA)
Cape Town - The Springbok Sevens rugby team will head to the next leg of the International Rugby Board's (IRB) World Sevens Series in Adelaide in a confident mood after very nearly going all the way in Hong Kong last weekend.
Unfortunately for the 'Blitz Boks' they ran into a rampant New Zealand team in Sunday's final, but Paul Treu's well-drilled unit can hold their heads high after going down 12-26.
It was the first win since 2001 for New Zealand in Hong Kong - the biggest event on the IRB Sevens Series calendar - since 2001, with NZ extending their record unbeaten winning streak to 42 matches and seven tournaments, taking into account the last two events of the previous season.
Treu said he was proud of his team but added they still need to improve on their overall performance. "Inexperience is costing us in big games, but I am confident we will get to the stage where we can compete with this New Zealand team on an even footing.
"You must remember they've been together for a few years now and know each other extremely well. They hardly make mistakes because they know how the guy next to them operates. I'm proud of my team for reaching the final of the biggest Sevens tournament in the world," explained Treu.
Latest triumph
The South Africans now travel to Adelaide and will be eager to close the gap on the rampant New Zealanders.
South Africa are in second place on the overall standings with 72 points, 38 behind New Zealand, who have virtually sewn up the 2007/08 Series title with their latest triumph.
For the Springboks, however, Adelaide, London and Edinburgh represent three more chances of catching the in-form Kiwis and landing a first title win of the current Series.
Treu feels a tournament win is well within the reach of his young team: "We are really looking forward to Adelaide.
I know if we can build on the confidence and momentum we gained from San Diego and Hong Kong, then we are definitely in with a good chance, not only to reach the finals of the remaining three tournaments, but to actually win one of those tournaments," said Treu.
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Rugby
