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Robin Heymann in Dubai
South Africa are in confident mood ahead of the defense of their Dubai Sevens and IRB Series crown, despite losing the experienced Marius Schoeman.
The international action kicks off on Friday from 'The Sevens', where the Boks face World Champions Wales, Australia, and hosts Arabian Gulf in the pool stages.
Utility player Schoeman has been forced to withdraw from the Bok Sevens squad due to a calf injury.
Schoeman sustained the injury during a warm up session at the Arabian Ranches. Vodacom Blue Bulls Under-21 winger Deon Helberg has been called up as his replacement.
Helberg was a member of the SA Vipers team who played over the weekend in Sri Lanka and recently starred for the SA Students in Singapore.
“I really have a lot of confidence in my guys and I've watched them carefully over the past few weeks. I can see the guys are looking to find space. They've matured as a team, especially psychologically,” said coach Paul Treu.
"Even yesterday when we lost Shoes (Schoeman), the guys would have been rattled. But there is a calm over this team and we just carry on with what we are doing."
South Africa are heavy favourites here not just because of their World Series-winning exploits, but moreover because Treu had just two new faces that needed to be integrated in his 12-man full time squad.
"We would like to win it this year because it would mean defending the title, which we have never done before. We have won it three times in the last few years, but we've never managed to retain the Dubai title and if we can achieve it, it will be another box we can tick off," Treu said.
The Blitzbokke were, 19-12 victors over England in the final last year, have won the title three times, but have failed to defend the trophy on two previous occasions (2003, 2006) when they were beaten by England and New Zealand, respectively.
Tietjens: We have potential
The Kiwis, who have been usurped at the top of the Sevens rankings by Treu’s Boks, will have to treat every match like the final, according to Gordon Tietjens, the legendary Kiwi coach.
"The tournament has become much more competitive over the years and each team has to be in peak physical condition to be able to pull it off," he said.
In the 10 year history of the IRB Sevens, Tietjens has guided his side to an incredible eight overall titles but incurred their worst return ever last year only finishing fourth.
Even though they are the only team to have won the Dubai event four times in a row from 1999 to 2002, Tietjens knows how tough it will be to retain the title on the event’s 40th anniversary.
Placed in Group D along with World Cup Sevens finalists Argentina, Portugal and France, he believes the group is wide open.
"We have some seven new faces in the squad and while there is tremendous potential among these boys, they have to show the right attitude and gel as a team to go all the way," he said.
"Be on the lookout for the likes of Baxton Popoalili, Sherwin Stowers and Toby Arnold."
"We are underdone, having had no warm-up tournaments, which is a concern," he said Tietjens.
Barrett to captain England
Kevin Barrett has been named captain of last year’s Dubai Sevens runners-up, England for this weekend.
The scrum-half will take the lead from last season's IRB Sevens Player of the Year Ollie Phillips who was not released by Stade Francais for the first two legs of the series.
Last season Barrett established himself as one of the leading players on the circuit, starring in wins the Wellington and London legs of the IRB Sevens World Series.
England will take on Russia, USA and Kenya on day one and Barrett is looking forward to leading his team to the field.
"I'm really excited. Ben (Ryan, England Coach) gave me the news the other day and I felt very privileged but we have lots of leaders in this team like Ben Gollings Chris Cracknell, Isoa Damudamu and James Rodwell so I'm hoping I can call on all of them." said Barrett.
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COMMENTS
Eve Atkinson Thu 3 Dec 2009 16:30
My son Adam Atkinson is playing for England Legends, it all looks very exciting and whoever managed this mammoth fete deserves royal recognition. I only wish I was able to be there to enjoy what looks like a wonderful tournament, bit different to watching my sons on Hessle Foreshore over the past 30 years.
Reply | Report this PostKind regards Eve
Eve Atkinson Thu 3 Dec 2009 16:30
My son Adam Atkinson is playing for England Legends, it all looks very exciting and whoever managed this mammoth fete deserves royal recognition. I only wish I was able to be there to enjoy what looks like a wonderful tournament, bit different to watching my sons on Hessle Foreshore over the past 30 years.
Reply | Report this PostKind regards Eve
Eve Atkinson Thu 3 Dec 2009 16:30
My son Adam Atkinson is playing for England Legends, it all looks very exciting and whoever managed this mammoth fete deserves royal recognition. I only wish I was able to be there to enjoy what looks like a wonderful tournament, bit different to watching my sons on Hessle Foreshore over the past 30 years.
Reply | Report this PostKind regards Eve
angie Fri 5 Feb 2010 18:55
[quote]In reply to the original entry:
Reply | Report this PostMy son Adam Atkinson is playing for England Legends, it all looks very exciting and whoever managed this mammoth fete deserves royal recognition. I only wish I was able to be there to enjoy what looks like a wonderful tournament, bit different to watching my sons on Hessle Foreshore over the past 30 years.
Kind regards Eve[/quote]
Clever bitch!!!
Angie Fri 5 Feb 2010 19:09
[quote]In reply to the original entry:
Reply | Report this PostMy son Adam Atkinson is playing for England Legends, it all looks very exciting and whoever managed this mammoth fete deserves royal recognition. I only wish I was able to be there to enjoy what looks like a wonderful tournament, bit different to watching my sons on Hessle Foreshore over the past 30 years.
Kind regards Eve[/quote]
you are a poor excuse for a mother! I would be proud to watch my sons wherever they were playing the world, including Hessle foreshore!
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