AS we embark on a new event of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, Cape Town — especially on South Africa soil, lingers the fact Fiji is yet to win a title in the land of the Blitzboks.
Having beaten England and New Zealand, Fiji appear almost unbeatable and even at this early stage look well set to defend their HSBC World Sevens Series title.
In a report dated 12/08/2015 on timeslive.co.za Fiji have won admirers for their style of play, but their antics when winning — especially over New Zealand in last week’s semi-final — have bordered on arrogance.
Even their English coach Ryan was unhappy.
“I don’t think we showed New Zealand much respect after the whistle in the semi-final,” Ryan said.
“It’s certainly not what I’m about and it shouldn’t be what any of my management or team are about. This Fiji team has the potential to match New Zealand’s record 47-match winning streak from a few years ago, but, based on our attitude after that semi, that’s not going to happen if the players continue to get carried away like that.
“I love our boys to death and I will do a lot for them, but they need to have some perspective.
“Like coaches who need both a worm’s eye and bird’s eye view of things, the players need a bit of bird’s eye to see the bigger picture and see how people are talking about them. It won’t be in beautiful terms and we need to earn a bit of respect in Cape Town.”
All of the participating teams for the second leg of the 2015-2016 World Sevens Series for the inaugural event in the Mother City arrived yesterday to conditions not dissimilar to Dubai.
Cape Town has been in the midst of a heatwave and there is no sign of conditions becoming easier for the 12 participating men’s teams in the main draw.
The Blitzboks returned from a disappointing quarter-final exit in Dubai with the plate title as consolation, but they know that winning the cup in Cape Town is a priority, even at this early stage of the World Series. South Africa played some impressive rugby in the desert before coming unstuck against the US in the last eight, and will have to find something extra on home soil.
There are injury concerns over the experienced Cecil Afrika and current World Sevens Player of the Year Werner Kok. Both might have to be replaced this week, but that decision will only be taken on Wednesday by coach Neil Powell.
The US proved that their 21-19 win over the Blitzboks was no fluke as they twice beat New Zealand in Dubai. The US also won the final tournament of last season’s series in London and have emerged as early title contenders and possible Olympic Games medallists next year.
Meanwhile, Stuff.co.nz reported at the Cape Town 7s last year, in the quarter-final, Fiji and England produced the best match of day two when they battled out an extratime thriller that was decided by a try to Lewis Pratt 3.28s after regulation time to break a 21-21 deadlock.
In an at times ill-tempered match, Fiji battled from the start, already down two players who had been suspended for tip tackles on day one.
England took further advantage of an early sinbin to Jasa Veremalua to build a 14-0 lead via tries to Charlie Hayter and Alex Gray before Fiji hit back through Vatemo Ravouvou.
Fiji closed the margin with tries to Savenaca Rawaca and Ravouvou to tie the scores in the final seconds.
Scotland’s never-say-die attitude from day one continued as they came from behind to beat the United States.
USA coach Mike Friday will cringe when he watches the replay of a match his team should never have lost after building a commanding 15-0 lead before a sinbin and some poor defence saw them choke in the final minutes.
Scotland grabbed three tries, the winner coming from the final scrum of the match with no time on the clock.