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Kiwis on verge of Sevens title
03/04/2008 13:29 - (SA)
Adelaide - All-conquering New Zealand can wrap up the International Rugby Board 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 South Africans and can seal an eighth world title in nine years on Sunday.
New Zealand are on a record streak of 42 match 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 Thursday.
"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."
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."
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."
The South Africans are grouped with hosts Australia, the 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 series has two more legs after this weekend's matches in Adelaide, in England on May 24-25 and Scotland May 31-June 1.
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