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Boks used Aussie experts
06/04/2008 22:28 - (SA)
Adnaan Mohamed , Die Burger
Cape Town - Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu had flown in two touch-rugby experts to help his side beat New Zealand in the International Rugby Board's tournament in Adelaide, Australia, on Sunday.
"I also spent some time with English Premier League clubs Wasps and Harlequins recently," an over-the-moon Treu revealed on Sunday.
The South Africans brought New Zealand's unprecedented victory march in the IRB series to an end by beating the All Blacks 15-7 in the final.
New Zealand, trying to win their eighth consecutive title, suffered their first defeat in 48 matches in IRB tournaments
It was only South Africa's sixth IRB Sevens victory in ten years over New Zealand.
Treu said on Sunday he had flown in two touch-rugby experts from Sydney to help his side keep the ball in play and to prevent unnecessary contact, particularly against New Zealand.
"It is important to be innovative to try to put one over your opponents," he said.
Fabian Juries, scorer of two tries, was the hero of the Springbok side whose win took them to 92 points on the IRB table; second only to the Kiwis, who have 126 points.
Not strong enough
New Zealand beat South Africa in the final of the Hong Kong tournament a week prior to the one in Adelaide. True then said his players were not strong enough for the New Zealanders.
He said the Springboks had to limit their mistakes and play more cleverly to beat the champions.
"The previous week we made too many unforced handling errors. This time we tried to retain possession by protecting the ball in contact," he said.
"We knew we had to take charge from the kick-off and play with more passion. We limited our errors and capitalised on theirs."
One of the new members of the team, 20-year-old Robert Ebersohn, scored South Africa's first try and the Springboks were leading 10-0 at half-time.
Victor Vito scored for New Zealand after the resumption but in the end Juries nailed down the lid when he scored his second try.
South Africa had won through to the final by beating Kenya 19-5 in the quarter-finals and Samoa 17-12 in the semis.
The players return on Monday but True will stay behind, planning to learn something from the Manly Sea Eagles rugby league club in Sydney.
"I'm interested in looking at the defence systems and work ethics of a top league club," he explained.
- Die Burger
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