The All Blacks Sevens perform their traditional winners haka

by Paul Cook –

Having finished runners-up in the first two editions of the 2012/13 HSBC World Series in Australia and Dubai, New Zealand have made it third time lucky in the South African leg of the tour, defeating France in the Cup Final to seal their first title of the season. In actuality, luck played very little part in the 47-12 demolition, the All Blacks Sevens finally seeing the job through to the end against a French side that continues to improve but thanks to an exhaustive semi-final clash with Argentina, never really looked like upsetting the form book in the big one.

South Africa is certainly a happy hunting ground for the champions and their veteran coach Gordon Tietjens, who celebrates his birthday on the weekend of the tournament every year. He’s now had reason to celebrate for four years in a row – a record run at any event – and eight of the thirteen tournaments that have taken place in the Republic since the inception of the World Series.

Having endured 9 minutes of extra-time against Argentina just to reach the final, France needed a strong start before their heavy legs would inevitably catch up with them but they conceded a try in the first minute to the predatory Kurt Baker. Captain Vincent Deniau hit back with a nice piece of opportunism, grubbering behind the New Zealand defence to regather and cross but the game was effectively decided either side of the break.

French playmaker Terry Bouhraoua threatened the line in the shadows of half-time as his side threw everything they had left at the All Blacks, desperate to take some kind of advantage into the second half but when he was turned over, New Zealand pounced, going the length of the field through the pace and soccer skills of Tim Mikkelson before Baker crossed again.

Wales’ James Davies is one to watch

France then failed to deal with the second half restart, Sam Dickson said thankyou very much and scooted down the touchline to make it 21-7. France were out on their feet, New Zealand were in their pomp and it was merely a question of how many from there. In the end, the All Blacks added another four tries to confirm their victory, making it one win from three finals in three tournaments and already, it is New Zealand who everyone else is chasing once again.

Tietjens was very pleased to have got the monkey off the back in 2012 before the Series takes in their homeland in Round Four, and on such a special occasion. “It’s a pretty good birthday present really! They played particularly well today, they were outstanding. It’s awesome for the new, younger players but that core group of experienced players that I have, I thought were outstanding today. To be out in front just before we hit Wellington is an awesome place to be.”

A loss to Fiji on Day One had many observers questioning their title credentials but as their coach alluded after the game, they were simply imperious on Day Two, smashing Wales before winning a colossal semi-final tussle with the hosts and a place in the final. As tight and physical a game as you’ll see – you always felt that whoever won the game would probably end up as eventual champion and even though South Africa led 5-0 at the break, New Zealand came back hard in the 2nd half and took their opportunities to run out 12-5 winners.

South Africa and surprise packet Portugal were the only unbeaten sides after the group stages, leaving the Blitz Bokke faithful quietly confident of victory on home soil, but it wasn’t to be. However, they roused themselves for a final flurry to smash Argentina 35-0 in the 3rd place play-off and send their fans home with some semblance of success, newboy Cheslin Kolbe claiming a popular hat-trick.

Portugal eventually fell in gallant fashion to Fiji in the Plate semi-final, the flying Fijians having been surprisingly outmuscled by Argentina in the Cup Quarter-Final earlier in the day. Argentina went on to their mammoth final four Cup clash with France, a game they had more than one opportunity to win. Both sides adopted a 15 a side mentality as they kicked for territory and played a tactical match but after 24 minutes, it took a penalty drop goal from Bouhraoua to split them.

A tiring Fiji fell at the final hurdle as Wales maintained their renaissance in the Sevens arena with a spirited 26-14 win over them in the Plate Final, their second successive Plate triumph. The impressive James Davies – brother of full Welsh international Jonathan – again shone with two tries but his second was the benefit of a dubious grounding decision that left Fiji playing catch-up footy that even their talents couldn’t sustain.

Australia captured their first Sevens title since Dubai 2011

Samoa were Cup winners the previous week in Dubai but couldn’t back up their heroics, losing twice on Day One but recovering enough to meet Australia in the Bowl Final on Sunday. However, it was Australia that celebrated their first title since lifting the Plate in Dubai last year with a 26-14 win and offered a glimpse of what their young side could offer going forward in the process, although coach Michael O’Connor is likely to have some more experienced replacements on hand for Wellington.

The score was the same in the Shield Final where Spain continued their fine start to the Series, reaching their third final in three tournaments and lifting their second Shield trophy with a comprehensive 33-0 win over Zimbabwe. Another six tries from Pedro Martin over the weekend also took the Spaniard to the top of the Series try scoring charts.

New Zealand’s legendary Sevens playmaker Tomasi Cama tops the overall Series points table and walked off with the player of the tournament award for good measure. Wellington expects.

World Series Standings after Round 3

1. NEW ZEALAND    60pts

2. FRANCE                 46pts

3. FIJI                          44pts

4. SOUTH AFRICA     41pts

5. SAMOA                  39pts

Round 4 takes place on February 1st/2nd 2013 in Wellington, New Zealand.