Blitzboks outsmart Fiji for Cup win
22 May 2011
The SA Sevens overturned a 14-0 deficit into a 24-14 victory over Fiji in the Cup final at the London Sevens.
The Pacific Islanders were brutal in the opening exchanges. They dominated the Blitzboks with their superior size and scored two early tries for a 14-0 lead. South Africa managed to settle and restrict Fiji from then on, and hit back with two uncoverted tries through Boom Prinsloo and Bernardo Botha. Fiji led 14-10 at the break.
Then came the Blitzboks’ comeback. Botha completed a brace early in the second stanza to put South Africa ahead. Fiji fought back aggressively and looked like reclaiming the lead, but they were matched by a resilient defence.
At the death, the Blitzboks used clever tactics (normally used in 15-man rugby) to keep Fiji at bay. They used the rolling maul at the lineouts to suck in the opposition, and once they reached the red zone, they utilised the pick up and drive method. The South Africans were clinical in their execution and eventually sealed the win with a Steven Hunt score.
Ealier on day two, South Africa beat Wales 21-19 in the Cup semi-final. Converted tries from Prinsloo and Botha gave South Africa a comfortable 14-0 lead at half-time.
However, Wales hit back in the second, scoring two converted tries within three minutes of the restart. But Prinsloo made it safe late in the piece and booked a final against Fiji, who they lost against in the pool stage.
In the quarter-final, Cecil Afrika scored two tries as the Blitzboks beat Australia 17-0. Afrika has excelled in the penultimate tournament, and was central to their success once more with his second half brace setting up a semi-final against Wales. Bernardo Botha, another standout performer, scored early in the first half.
Click here for all results.
41 Comments
22 May 2011, 12:34 pm
go blizters
22 May 2011, 12:42 pm
Cup 1/4 finalists are:
NEW ZEALAND Vs ARGENTINA 1/4 final
FIJI Vs SAMOA 1/4 final
AUSTRALIA Vs The Republic of Eye Gougers (SA)
Froggs Vs Taffies.
My picks:
NZ,
Samoa,
Gougers,
Wales.
22 May 2011, 13:46 pm
@cane(cane)-2: You’re an eye gouger…
22 May 2011, 14:26 pm
soon to be the 3 time world champions Republic of Eye Gougers
22 May 2011, 14:31 pm
@cane(cane)-2: and you support the country of the long white chokers….ooopsss …….I mean cloud….???
22 May 2011, 16:08 pm
@cane(cane)-2: what last i checked Troy Flavell and Richard Loe were ABs
22 May 2011, 16:17 pm
New Zealand reclaim World Sevens title
With a 31-14 win over Argentina to reach the London tournament semifinals, New Zealand also clinched the IRB World Sevens Series title for the first time in three years.
Tomasi Cama scored two tries and kicked three conversions as the Gordon Tietjens-coached side pulled away from Argentina at Twickenham to reach their seventh straight semifinal this season and win the series crown with a tournament remaining in Edinburgh, Scotland, next weekend.
The Kiwis will face Fiji in the London semifinals at 2:48am (NZ time), with the final, should they win through, against either South Africa or Wales at 5:22am (NZ time).
The series title is New Zealand’s ninth and first since the 2007-08 season.
Argentina took a 7-0 lead in first minute after Diego Palma scored, but New Zealand hit back with tries to Cama and Frank Halai to lead 12-7 at halftime.
A converted try to Tim Mikkelson in the third minute of the second half gave the Kiwis some breathing space. Argentina closed the gap back to 19-14 with two minutes remaining but Cama scored his second and then Buxton Popoalii finished off the scoring.
RESULTS
New Zealand 31 (Tomasi Cama 2, Frank Halai, Tim Mikkelson, Buxton Popoalii tries, Cama 3 con) Argentina 14 (Diego Palma, Gutierrez Taboada tries, Taboada 2 con). HT: 12-7.
22 May 2011, 16:21 pm
@cane(cane)-2: kiwi’s are in big pooo with the RWC and japan too – it seems that rugby is only watched by the 3N and 6N countries. IRB and NZRU looking forward to a record loss later this year.
“The recent revelation that worldwide viewing figures for the 2007 Rugby World Cup final had been desperately modest, casts a revealing light on professional rugby union on the eve of another World Cup.
It was reported, by the UK-based “Spectrum Value Partners”, a management consultancy, and Addleshaw Goddard, a law firm, that fewer than one million people around the globe in the non-traditional rugby-playing countries bothered to watch the 2007 final between South Africa and England.
In other words, beyond the borders of the countries that are the traditional rugby powers, the likes of South Africa, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, France, Wales and Scotland, very few people were interested”
22 May 2011, 17:14 pm
IRB7, England , SF Cup – 5/22/2011 3:48:00 PM
Completed
NEW ZEALAND 19 - 42 FIJI
1 Scott Curry (s)
2 Tim Mikkelson
3 Solomon King
4 D J Forbes
5 Lote Raikabula
6 Tomasi Cama
7 Bryce Heem (s)
8 Shane Christie (s)
9 Frank Halai
10 Toby Arnold
11 David Raikuna (s)
12 Buxton Popoalii (s)
Dale Tonawai 1
Setefano Cakau 2
Watisoni Votu 3
(s) Leone Nakarawa 4
(s) Sakenasa Aca 5
Nikola Matawalu 6
(s) Peni Gaunimeke 7
(s) Mitieli Nacagilevu 8
Livai Ikanikoda 9
Metuisela Talebula 10
(s) David Batiratu 11
Joeli Lutumailagi 12
Referee : Stuart Berry (RSA)
1st half
1:03 Joeli Lutumailagi FIJ Try
1:27 Metuisela Talebula FIJ Conversion
3:00 Watisoni Votu FIJ Try
3:44 Metuisela Talebula FIJ Conversion
4:41 D J Forbes NZL Try
5:12 Tomasi Cama NZL Conversion
2nd half
0:27 Mitieli Nacagilevu FIJ Substitution
1:09 Metuisela Talebula FIJ Try
1:32 Metuisela Talebula FIJ Conversion
1:47 Scott Curry NZL Substitution
2:12 Dale Tonawai FIJ Try
2:39 Metuisela Talebula FIJ Conversion
3:51 Nikola Matawalu FIJ Try
4:27 Metuisela Talebula FIJ Conversion
4:35 Buxton Popoalii NZL Substitution
4:38 Peni Gaunimeke FIJ Substitution
4:48 Leone Nakarawa FIJ Substitution
5:15 Peni Gaunimeke FIJ Try
5:53 Metuisela Talebula FIJ Conversion
6:10 Shane Christie NZL Substitution
6:29 Buxton Popoalii NZL Try
6:40 Buxton Popoalii NZL Conversion
7:52 Tim Mikkelson NZL Try
8:20 Tim Mikkelson NZL ConMiss
Extra-time
NEW ZEALAND PTS TRIES CONS PENS DROPS
12 Buxton Popoalii 7 1 1
2 Tim Mikkelson 5 1
4 D J Forbes 5 1
6 Tomasi Cama 2 1
7 Bryce Heem
8 Shane Christie
9 Frank Halai
10 Toby Arnold
11 David Raikuna
5 Lote Raikabula
3 Solomon King
1 Scott Curry
FIJI PTS TRIES CONS PENS DROPS
10 Metuisela Talebula 17 1 6
12 Joeli Lutumailagi 5 1
1 Dale Tonawai 5 1
3 Watisoni Votu 5 1
6 Nikola Matawalu 5 1
7 Peni Gaunimeke 5 1
8 Mitieli Nacagilevu
9 Livai Ikanikoda
4 Leone Nakarawa
5 Sakenasa Aca
2 Setefano Cakau
11 David Batiratu
22 May 2011, 17:16 pm
We take wales in the semi then its a Blitzbokkie – Fiji final
22 May 2011, 17:20 pm
@RedLions’ team won … down under(RL)-8:
I notice cane ignores idiots and their idiotic comments.
He has style.
22 May 2011, 18:15 pm
@Great White Shark(Predawn)-11:
yip he has more class than you – get it?
22 May 2011, 19:38 pm
Fiji 14 – SA 10 half time 2 tries each
Fiji got gifted an offside try for their 2nd
Saffas half these giants
3rd try Saffas in the lead 17. – 14
22 May 2011, 19:47 pm
yes 4th try in the corner and converted
24 – 14 Sa
22 May 2011, 19:49 pm
Well done, manne.
Proud of you guys.
And to come from behind against Fiji.
Pretty damn good.
22 May 2011, 19:50 pm
London Irb 7s champs
Blitzbokkies out thought Fiji and took them down after they annihilated NZ
Hats off Paul Treu out thought these giants to take the title with our midgets
22 May 2011, 19:51 pm
That was interesting. First time that I saw team employing the driving maul and the pick and go in 7′s. Crowd booooed the 7 Boks but a win is a win – even if it was ugly. Well played boys.
22 May 2011, 19:51 pm
What a great win!!!
22 May 2011, 19:54 pm
excellent…where is that muppet ‘Cane’? Eating humble pie I hope….did his team choke again on the big stage?
22 May 2011, 19:55 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-16:
And it was that never-say-die attitude tham came through again.
Was an exciting game.
Great skills developed in this form of the game including handling which is crucial, pace, stamina, beating a man in a one-on-one situation, defence. It has it all.
A lot of 15′s players could learn from this.
22 May 2011, 20:07 pm
Well done boks
F%^&k the English fans booing the boks win Sore losers
I think there should be not only a penalty if you dive on a player who has just scored but a yellow card too
That was a disgrace by Fijians happened twice
22 May 2011, 20:07 pm
@I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-20: Very very clever play from the guys as well. Amazing to see a Bok team with brains, never thought it were possible.
22 May 2011, 20:13 pm
@goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-22:
Paul Treu is castigated around here but he has a small pool from which to select players. And he’s forever bringing in new players into the squad. He also deserves a lot of credit. And the guys did play smart rugby particularly that rolling maul at the end.
22 May 2011, 20:20 pm
@I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-23: @I am a stormer(I am a stormer)-23: Dead right and he does have a very small pool to work from. Not a stupid guy at all.
22 May 2011, 20:25 pm
the ‘quota’ paul treu has done south africa proud again
22 May 2011, 20:28 pm
Treu deserves a medal his players are half the size of these Fijian giants who trounced NZ by 42 – 19 and we went down to two opportunistic tries from them first one straight from opening kick off and second one from a blatant off side position.
We were down 14 – 0 after about 5 minutes then we scored two well worked tries both out wide and couldn’t convert because our kicker was off with a blood nose to get back in the game .
2nd half we kept it tight and won the breakdowns and then went for two 7 man line outs from penalties we mauled it up like a 15 man game and scored in the corner to seal it
Out thought and outsmarted these giants with our half pint players and we kept it tight to win.
None of these players would likely feature in our 15 man code yet they beat the biggest guys in the game who thrashed NZ in the semi. Paul Treu take a bow.
22 May 2011, 20:55 pm
Great win. Nice try saving tackle from the youngster, capped with a try as well.
Very good to see something different as well, as has been said above.
Congrats to NZ for winning the series.
We are the only country to jold simultaneously the Tri Nations, the World Cup and the 7′s World Champions’ Cup. NZ are in a year when they could equal the feat if they take the Tri N. and WC.
22 May 2011, 21:30 pm
@Stormersboy(stormersboy)-27: Plus they can add the U20 crown and the womens’ title to that too. Royal Flush.
22 May 2011, 21:43 pm
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-28:
hahaha, you can keep the womens cup Tacklers, all yours boet
22 May 2011, 21:51 pm
Get your facts right boys. Wales are the 7′s world cup champs. This is just the world series.
22 May 2011, 22:05 pm
@gecko(gecko)-30: World champions. Not world cup. Read the way I phrased it. The World Champions’ Cup.
22 May 2011, 22:23 pm
quotes from plum post-match…
“We just didn’t defend well enough and in
the first 15 minutes we were two tries
down,” the Sharks coach, Plumtree, said.
“That was disappointing because in the past
we’ve tackled a lot better than that. But
allowing them to score after three phases
was unacceptable.
“That was the biggest thing and the side
lost a bit of confidence early. Obviously we
were under pressure line out time again, so
really allowing them that start was hard
work.
“A side like the Bulls when they gain
possession and put you in the corners …
you got to come from a long way out, so it
was pretty disappointing.”
Although the Sharks did fight back after the
break – they outscored the Bulls 17-9 in the
second period, including a late consolation
score in the 74th minute – they continued
to concede needless penalties and were
duly punished by the boot of Steyn.
“We were giving away penalties and they
were driving us to give away penalties so
when we pegged them back, they just got
another three points,” Plumtree added.
“So we just couldn’t get to that seven or
eight points behind them that would have
allowed us to launch a real attack at them.
“Basically the plan we had of beating them,
we could not execute because we were too
poor. Defensively we were poor, we
haven’t been like that all year.”
However, Plumtree still felt things could
have been different if Charl McLeod had
scored 12 minutes from the end with the
tryline gaping.
Instead there was umpteenth error from
the Durban side and Plumtree added: “If we
scored there it would have been seven or
eight points away from them.
“That was a big moment, so we just lacked a
little bit of composure around the fringes and
weren’t accurate enough.”
23 May 2011, 00:05 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-32: That is 0-3 against Saffa teams that matter. So much for Currie Cup champs! And apart from the first game vs the Stormers, the other 2 was pretty comprehensive too. Big uphill from here. If they take out the Waratahs and the Bulls follw suit, they still need the Highlanders to lose a few. in other words, I’m not giving them any chance to cause an ‘upset’ in Pta. Bulls looking every bit the champion team they are. Matfield even cracked a joke or 2 with Bryce! Funny thing pressure…
23 May 2011, 00:06 am
So this is what you guys call a blogging site?
23 May 2011, 02:48 am
@BULLETHEAD Jnr(BULLETHEAD Jnr)-4:
this is 7′s, buddy, and the one thing this article failed to mention – not even a hint – is who took the real silverware on offer.
Thats right
NZ
better get used to it.
(its the Kiwi 7′s NINTH World 7′s title, btw)
23 May 2011, 05:17 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-35: You are such a girl. Did you know that? It’s almost like the NZ Herald going on and on about NZ’s series win yet mentions, as an afterthought( the very last line in the article to be exact)…and oh yes, SA has won the London title. What’s with you? You want NZ’s praises sung on a Saffa website? Realy? I can understand why NZ winning the series is more relevant to the NZ public than SA winning the title. By the same token, SA winning the title is more relevant to the SA public. You should read more mate…I hear it helps with, well…at least making you sound intelligent. Get a life!
23 May 2011, 05:19 am
…or just try and keep an open mind. That, in itself, will keep you out of trouble around here.
23 May 2011, 06:22 am
@gecko(gecko)-30: Wales are the champions of a retired competition, it means nothing cause they never have to defend that title – much like the current rugby Olympic champions the USA who have not has to defend their title in decades. Fact.
23 May 2011, 08:33 am
@BokiNZ(BokiNZ)-36:
so says the twit who comes up with rubbish like “all NZ wine is sh*t”
yeah, that ‘open-minded’ I suppose.
~guffaw~
23 May 2011, 09:32 am
I say the Kings must use some of these players. The Cheetahs have benefited in some way by using Fabian Juries, Ryno Benjamin, Kabamba Floors and Robert Ebersohn.
With the new super rugby format i think it will help to use some of the players who have been of the 7s circuit. I think Mzwandile Stick and many more can at least help improve squad size.
23 May 2011, 09:39 am
Africa is the man! What a great final – compliments to True and the team!
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