News
South Africa claim Dubai sevens title
November 29 2008
South Africa overcame England in a dramatic final to win the Dubai Sevens 19-12 and get their 2008/09 IRB Sevens World Series campaign off to the perfect start.
The Boks travel home to George for the South Africa Sevens next weekend brimming with confidence as they attempt to win their home event for the first time.
They hold an early four-point lead over England in the World Series, with New Zealand and Fiji a further four behind, having lost their respective semi-finals.
Robert Ebersohn opened the scoring for the Boks, in the first-half and Mpho Mbiyozo stretched the lead to 12-0 at the break.
Tom Biggs hit back for the English as they exerted pressure and teenager Micky Young scored and converted a second try to bring the scores level with three minutes remaining.
With less than a minute on the clock England worked a line-out in an attacking position and span the ball out to danger man Tom Biggs, but Gio Aplon tackled him and from the resulting ruck sprinted 80 metres before unselfishly passing inside to Ryno Benjamin, who scored under the posts.
Mzwandile Stick converted the drop goal, as he had done crucially to win their semi-final, before the final whistle brought an end to the tournament.
For England captain Ollie Phillips was inspirational to earlier fire his side to a superb semi-final win against New Zealand. Ben Ryan's men stormed the Kiwis in the first-half, at the end of which they led 21-0, but the Kiwis hit back with three tries of their own.
Crucially, though, Tomasi Cama failed to convert Nafi Tuitavake's try wide out on the right-hand touchline and although Solomon King's try was converted on the stroke of full-time there was no time for another Kiwi restart.
The second semi-final was tighter throughout, and Mzwandile Stick was left a tough conversion to tie the match at 7-7 on full-time. He did so, and then struck the ball beautifully from the half-way line to secure a sudden death extra-time win.
Samoa beat Kenya to the Plate
Uale Mai lifted the Plate trophy in Dubai after his powerful side triumphed over the fleet-footed Kenyans in the final, 12-7.
Apelu Fa'aiuga's try was converted by Lolo Lui to give the islanders a 7-0 half-time lead and Ofisa Treviranus stretched the advantage to 12 points. Kenya's outstanding captain Humphrey Kayange scored late in the second half but it was too little too late as Samoa took the spoils.
Samoa take eight points towards the overall World Series race, while Kenya travel on to George, South Africa with six.
Earlier Kenya defied the odds by coming back from 19-0 against Argentina to win 26-24 in one of the matches of the tournament, before Samoa also came from behind to win against Australia, who were much improved under new coach Michael O'Connor.
Portugal take Bowl title
Portugal overwhelmed European rivals France 24-0 to take the Shield title, and claim two points towards the World Series.
Two tries by David Mateus and one each for his twin Diogo and Joao Mirra proved too much for the French, who failed to mount a telling response.
Earlier France had battled to a 17-12 win in a stunning match against Zimbabwe, while the Mateus twins were again outstanding for Portugal, each scoring in a convincing 24-0 semi-final win against Wales.
USA win Shield
The USA won the Shield title in their first event as a 'core' side on the IRB Sevens World Series, beating the Arabian Gulf 31-7 in the final.
The hosts delighted the home crowd by winning through to the final but met their match in the Eagles, who scored tries through Nese Malifa, Justin Boyd (2), captain Chris Wyles and vice-captain Todd Clever. The hosts scored once through Taif Al Delamie.
England crowned Dubai women's champs
England's women, playing under the banner of their charity partner Sporting Chance, were crowned champions of the Dubai after a thrilling 12-10 final victory against the Wooden Spoon team.
Simon Amor's England side swept aside Canada 12-5 in their semi-final and then captured the title in what is a unique preparation event ahead of the inaugural women's Rugby World Cup Sevens, to be held at the same ground on 5-7 March 2009.
"This was an impressive win for us," said England's coach, former men's captain Simon Amor.
"It was certainly tense and only a try in the last play of the game secured the win, but that sort of performance shows that these players know how to win games.
"They have mental toughness and that is exactly what is needed if we are going to contest the Rugby World Cup.
"From here the girls now have a rest period from Sevens rugby but, come January, it is all go. We will have several training sessions, before then going to San Diego and then Dubai again for the Rugby World Cup Sevens."
Cup quarter-finals
New Zealand 21-17 Kenya
England 15-5 Argentina
Samoa 7-12 Fiji
South Africa 19-0 Australia
Bowl quarter-finals
Wales 26-7 Arabian Gulf
Portugal 19-7 Georgia
France 22-12 USA
Scotland 5-19 Zimbabwe
Cup semi-finals
New Zealand 19-21 England
Fiji 7-10 South Africa
Plate semi-finals
Kenya 26-24 Argentina
Samoa 17-14 Australia
Bowl semi-finals
Wales 0-24 Portugal
France 17-12 Zimbabwe
Shield semi-finals
Arabian Gulf 22-12 Georgia
USA 17-14 Scotland
Shiled Final
Arabian Gulf 7-31 USA
Bowl Final
Portugal 24-0 France
Plate Final
Kenya 7-12 Samoa
Cup Final
England 12-19 South Africa
IRB Sevens Series overall standings:
1. South Africa - 20
2. England - 16
3. New Zealand - 12
4. Fiji - 12
5. Samoa - 8
6. Kenya - 6
7. Australia - 4
8. Argentina - 4
9. Portugal - 2