World Cup 7s Preview: Pool B

A preview of Pool B of the Rugby World Cup Sevens which includes Australia, South Africa, Ireland and China.

Published by Alison Donnelly, June 23rd, 2013

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World Cup 7s Preview: Pool B

Australia

Despite being the defending champions, Australia are not the favourites going to Moscow, and you suspect that will suit Chris Lane’s side just fine.

On paper you could say Australia have had an up and down season. Fourth in Dubai, fourth in Houston, seventh in China and seventh in Amsterdam are their results from the World Series – results that will not send shivers up the spine of New Zealand or England, the main challengers for their title. But the game is not played on paper and Australia did not travel to Dubai four years ago favourites either and that memory should serve them well.

What Australia do have is a wealth of experience in the Sevens game and big game players which could be crucial in the latter stages of the competition. The return of the powerful direct running Shannon Parry is almost as important as the find of 18-year-old flier Tiana Penitani and though it hasn’t “clicked” consistently enough for Australia this season, if it does you wouldn’t bet against them reaching the final stages of the tournament again.

South Africa

The margin between success and failure in sevens can be small, and no team knows this more than South Africa. They made the final in Dubai (and surprised many in doing so), but in Amsterdam they finished bottom of their pool.

Are they inconsistent? Was Dubai a one-off? In truth no – in Amsterdam the South Africans lost crucial games by two points and three points. The difference between there and Dubai was that in the latter the bounce went their way. It went their way at the World Cup in 2009 as well, when they made the semi-finals. That is Sevens.

In short, South Africa are a dangerous side capable upsetting anyone - their record against England is one of the best. And this is not least because they possess, in Phumeza Gadu, one of the geniuses of women’s sevens - a player who, given the slightest opportunity, can turn a game on its head in seconds.

The South Africans will not start among the favourites, but it would be foolish to bet against them.

Ireland

Ireland have been quietly impressive in their build-up to Moscow and have performed well in recent months, managing to switch their focus quickly from the 15s game to the Sevens game following their 6 Nations win.Nine of the players selected to Moscow were part of that title winning squad so their Plate titles in China, London and Brive show very steady signs of progress for a relatively new squad. Ireland’s advantage over the other sides who are latecomers to the Sevens game is their huge experience in the longer form of the sport – experience that will mean that nobody can take them lightly.

Ireland’s squad has a nice balance of strength and pace and for them, targeting a place in next season’s World Series  (which they would do by finishing in the top eight) is extremely realistic.

But they can also afford to aim even higher.  Though this is not an easy pool, Ireland have beaten Australia before, and if they play to their strengths they could conceivably top this pool. A team that can take a few by surprise – the Irish are well worth keeping an eye on this weekend.

China

China had a good World Cup in 2009, winning the Bowl, beating the Netherlands on the way. As a result, and with the help of good support by the Chinese authorities, in the past four years they have been regular participants at tournaments around the world.

This exposure has helped ensure that Chinese have remained Asia’s leading sevens team, but in tournaments outside Asia they have yet to advance beyond the Bowl. While they have had success against teams such as Brazil and Tunisia, since 2009 the only European team they have beaten is Portugal.

Which is not to say that China are not learning and developing. They are certainly not the team they were. Noticeably bigger and more physical than even a year ago they gave both Netherlands and South Africa tough games in their most recent tournament in Amsterdam, but lacked the attacking flair needed to turn possession into points.

Unfortunately the same is likely to be true in Moscow. China may occasionally worry and frustrate their pool opponents, but it would be a surprise to see them actually win any of their games. The second day has a better hope for success - they should at least retain the Bowl, and with a bit of luck may get into the Plate.

Seeherefor a Pool A preview

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