Preview: London 7s
Reach the Plate Final. That is the absolute minimum requirement for New Zealand as they chase their 10th IRB Sevens World Series title.
Of course Gordon Tietjens and his charges would like nothing more than to end the 2011/12 season on a high, by winning the tournament and finish as series winners in the most emphatic fashion.
However, failing that, the Kiwis need to reach the Final in the Plate competition or do better if they want to hold off their nearest rivals, Fiji, in the race for Sevens’ ultimate crown.
Tietjens’ side tops the overall standings with 150 points, 11 clear of rivals Fiji, after winning last weekend’s Glasgow Sevens and effectively has one hand on the trophy.
It would take a complete catastrophe for the men in black not to claim a 10th Series title, especially when you consider the Kiwis will arrive in London in a confident mood after dispatching England 29-14 in the Final of the Glasgow tournament.
New Zealand has in Tomasi Cama and Frank Halai two of the series’ most dangerous players.
Classy playmaker Cama is the top point scorer and he and the strong-running Halai also top the try-scoring charts with 28 five-pointers. Both are nominees for the IRB Sevens Player of the Year award, which will be handed out at the conclusion of this tournament.
Tietjens’ men have been grouped in Pool A and will take on Argentina, Russia and Kenya on day one.
Fiji has a hope, albeit of the faint variety, of snatching the overall crown.
However, for that to happen, it would need to win the tournament and hope New Zealand loses two consecutive knockout games.
It’s a big ask, but anything is possible in the topsy-turvy world of sevens.
The Pacific Islanders are expected to sit at the summit of Pool C after taking on Wales, Spain and Zimbabwe.
Elsewhere, the stakes are still high for hosts England, South Africa and Samoa. There are only nine points separating England (third) and Samoa (fifth).
Those two teams will meet on day one in a match that is likely to decide who tops Pool B, while the Australia v South Africa showdown in Pool D looms as critical to both sides’ fortunes as they look to progress to the Cup round.
Pools:
Pool A: New Zealand, Argentina, Russia, Kenya
Pool B: England, Samoa, France, USA
Pool C: Fiji, Wales, Spain, Zimbabwe
Pool D: Australia, South Africa, Scotland, Portugal
Schedule:
(Kick-off times are local – GMT plus one hour)
Day One – Saturday, May 12:
Match 1: Fiji v Spain, 10.30
Match 2: Wales v Zimbabwe, 10.52
Match 3: Australia v Scotland, 11.14
Match 4: South Africa v Portugal, 11.36
Match 5: New Zealand v Russia, 11.58
Match 6: Argentina v Kenya, 12.20
Match 7: England v France, 12.42
Match 8: Samoa v United States, 13.04
Match 9: Fiji v Zimbabwe, 13.36
Match 10: Wales v Spain, 13.58
Match 11: Australia v Portugal, 14.20
Match 12: South Africa v Scotland, 14.42
Match 13: New Zealand v Kenya, 15.04
Match 14: Argentina v Russia, 15.26
Match 15: England v United States, 16.00
Match 16: Samoa v France, 16.22
Match 17: Spain v Zimbabwe, 16.44
Match 18: Scotland v Portugal, 17.06
Match 19: Russia v Kenya, 17.28
Match 20: France v United States, 17.50
Match 21: Fiji v Wales, 18.22
Match 22: Australia v South Africa, 18.44
Match 23: New Zealand v Argentina, 19.06
Match 24: England v Samoa, 19.28
