Sevens Boks crash to Kiwis

Sevens Boks crash to Kiwis

30 Mar 2008

New Zealand just had too much class for the Springbok Sevens side in the final of the Hong Kong Sevens, running out 26-12 winners.

The Boks conceded an early try which put them on the back foot, and even though they drew to within seven points of New Zealand at one stage, they were just never on the same planet skills and strength wise. Coach Paul Treu, however, lauded his side for progressing as far as they did.

“The last time that we played in a Hong Kong final was 11 years ago at Rugby World Cup Sevens. Back then we had world class players like Andre Joubert, Andre Venter, Chester Williams and Joost Van der Westhuizen, whereas there are no big name players in this squad. To come out here and go all the way to the Hong Kong Cup final is an awesome achievement for our young team,” he said.

The Kiwis dominated the collisions and breakdowns, stifling the Boks’ flow, and were clinical with the majority of their opportunities. Treu acknowledged his side’s physical shortcomings.

“One thing that we have to realise is that we will never beat New Zealand physically,” he said. “We will have to play the game much smarter and there were a few times were we went into contact and lost the ball. Those are areas that we need to think about and just identify the opportunities on the field.”

The Boks consolidated their second place standing on the series log, but have no hope of tracking down New Zealand, who’ve won every leg of the series to date. Treu was, however, optimistic about the future.

“In terms of confidence we are really looking forward to Adelaide and if we can keep our momentum that we have built over the past two tournaments in San Diego and here in Hong Kong, I honestly believe that we can reach all three remaining finals.”

France won the Plate final against Argentina, 17-14, in sudden death while Russia beat off a brave Zimbabwe to win 19-14 and retain the Bowl trophy.


70 Comments

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  • 51.Insomniac: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 00:35 am

    agree wooden spoon. Its simple…..
    U WERE NOT GOOD ENOUPH TO MAKE THE FINALS!!!!

  • 52.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 00:54 am

    #50
    calm down man i was just having a bit of fun with whatever.
    I know SA deserved the RWC win,they beat whoever was put in front of them,thats it.
    Obviously you have a bit of a feeling towards to weak opponents SA had to face to win the RWC,maybe i should not bring it up again to make you happy

  • 53.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 00:55 am

    #47
    We have just about run out of tissues in NZ so its not looking good

  • 54.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 00:57 am

    #51
    Wrong
    We were good enough to make the finals as well as win it.We didnt,thats rugby

  • 55.Insomniac: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 00:59 am

    I cant wait 4 da Tri Nations!! its going to be ******* great!
    think the all blacks have a point 2 prove and they are gonna come hard at us.

  • 56.Insomniac: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 01:05 am

    if u were good enouph, why didnt u beat france then? the argies done it twice….we beat them easily.

  • 57.Insomniac: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 01:07 am

    I think even if u made the finals…we would have beaten u guys.
    we were just mentally tuned to do so. mission accomplished after 4 years.

  • 58.Insomniac: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 01:08 am

    would have been a far better final though…

  • 59.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 01:11 am

    #56
    And we beat you guys twice in the same year.
    As i said its rugby.
    #57
    Ok you think you would have beaten us in the finals,no one would know.It over now.I think you guys should concentrate on the rugby you play after the RWC to,you dont want to be classed like England were when they won the RWC and lost everything after,cos it hasnt started of good has it

  • 60.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 01:14 am

    Mind you that baa baas game wasnt classed a test match was it?
    Yes the Tri nations will be a cracker NZ and OZ as well will be out to prove a point,all i say is look out

  • 61.Insomniac: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 01:18 am

    agree with u dude!
    just sick of people dissing us cause we didnt play the bigger nations.
    we all know u have been ruling world rugby for long time. its been years since we have beaten u guys on ur own turf. I have the biggest respect for all black rugby and have always admired our great rivalry. hopefully the boks can keep that rivalry strong from now on not fade like 95…

  • 62.Insomniac: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 01:22 am

    wales is going 2 be a good test 4 us.
    all of us is awaiting for the team to be announced by the new coach. its bloody scary!

  • 63.Insomniac: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 01:24 am

    no it wasnt. we didnt field nearly as many regular starters in the squad.

  • 64.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 01:43 am

    #62

    I hope you guys slap Wales a good one.They are a bit to cocky with there new coach and there new found winning ways.They have not played the big three yet so i hope it all goes good for yas

  • 65.Cheetha Champs: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 07:31 am

    How wonderful was it to See Robert Ebherson come on against Russia? On the field for 4 minutes, and he scores two tries (granted they were easy) and makes one with a beautiful pass.

    Hope the kid stays in the set up to continually hone his skills.

    Thought SA played well but made too many basic errors like not kicking penalties into touch, and drifting too laterally.

  • 66.Skabenga: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 10:26 am

    NZ vs SA.
    Men vs Boys.
    Monsters vs Gnomes…
    Orcs vs Hobbits…

    Anymore parallels?

  • 67.Patrick: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 11:49 am

    The Sevens in NZ is the third rung on the International ladder. Almost Sevens players work their butts off so they can get into a Super 14 side……that’s their carrot.

    And in NZ I can’t remember EVER, that any Polynesian living in the Islands has EVER been selected in any provincial, or higher, NZ rugby team.

    At the last official count in 2007, only two players of Polynesian decent were not born and raised in NZ in our AB side. Our NZ “B” team generally play against the Polynesians in Polynesia, and generally beat them by something around 50 points. A couple of years back the NZ “A” team put 90 points on the Fijian side,

    Patrick.

  • 68.church - like chch but pronounceable: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 15:45 pm

    67 Patrick,

    Silly comment …. do you think that David Beckham commutes to L.A. games from London!

  • 69.church - like chch but pronounceable: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 15:46 pm

    Congrats to the NZ sevens lads

  • 70.church - like chch but pronounceable: Reply to this comment
    31 Mar 2008, 16:15 pm

    Check out that ladder!

    Crusaders 14 points clear of 5th spot!

    Well really 14 and 1/2 points clear since they have a points difference of about 100 more than the next best team!

    Take your time Carter :-)

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