Live Text Commentary
2009 IRB George Sevens - Day 2

Robin Heymann has made his way from Dubai to South Africa's Garden Route for the second leg of the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series - The George Sevens. Follow all the action from Outeniqua Park (11-12th December) as Robin keeps you informed on all the goings both on and off the pitch.

Email views and comments to: livetext@ur7s.com
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21:45

Hope you have enjoyed the coverage over the last two days ladies and gents. Another round on the IRB done and dusted. You will next be hearing from me next in Wellington in February. Can't wait for that party. Full summary from George to follow later. Totsiens! 

21:41

IRB Sevens World Series:

New Zealand 48
Fiji 36
England 28
Samoa 26
Argentina 22
Kenya 22
Australia 18
South Africa 16

21:38

The Kiwis go up to pick up their riches and the familar ticker-tape and fireworks goes off. Nice that! Perhaps they should have spent the money on making sure the scoreboard worked this weekend?! Celebratory Haka with tops off to follow shortly of course.

21:34

Back-to back wins for New Zealand at the start of the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series Final. It's their fourth win in George and they are sitting rosy at the top of the table with 48 points. Looks like it's going to be very tough to beat them this year. An exceptional outfit with their experienced guys Forbes, Lawrence, and Souness outstanding today. It just shows they can win without relying on Stowers' tries.

21:29

Cup Final – New Zealand v Fiji

Cagey start with both sides just easing themselves into this one, some impish Fijian flicks almost undoing NZ though. Baker makes yards for the Kiwis and with Forbes the pivot it’s swung left to Souness who opens the scoring. 7-0 to NZ. Cakau is almost in but drops a poor Vucago pass – Fiji struggling to get going here. Brilliant from Souness diffusing a Fiji attack, by getting on his feet in a flash. Fiji getting suffocated by a black wall and a forward pass takes us into the break.

Who can make the big impact here? Souness is being exceptional in this half and he sets up his captain DJ Forbes to cross in the far corner. 14-0 to NZ and serious issues for Fiji. Brilliant reactions from Ryder to keep it alive and a monster couple of steps from Kolinisau gets Fiji back into the mixer. NZ still up 14-7. Is that it?! Kiwis go left with Stowers pulling some strings and Tokula jinks in and out to give NZ a big cushion at 21-7. Fiji work it on the short side with Voti and Tuwai, it’s recycled right and Ryder is in. 21-10. But the hooter goes and the Kiwis have done it!! They are 2009 George Sevens champions!

Result: New Zealand 21 Fiji 10

21:02

Let’s get ready to rumble!!The grand finale. The big one. And we couldn’t ask for two better teams for it. Fiji and New Zealand. The Kiwis are going for their second consecutive Cup win following their Dubai triumph. Another win puts them in a really commanding position heading to their home leg in Wellington in February. They beat Fiji in the Semi-Final last weekend, with a ferocious tackling display that chopped them down time after time. Expect this to low scoring, tight, and pulsating. Ryder once again lines up against Stowers. Who will have the last laugh?

20:57

Plate Final – England v South Africa

Frenetic start as both as Wade (Eng) and Afrika (SA) look dangerous. Superb work from Gollings, making a mini break, then finding Norton steaming through in midfield to go under the sticks. 7-0 to Eng. All England so far, as they persist with going central in their attacks trying to puncture SA holes. SA just lack the wheels on the outside today and they get shown up in a big way as Wade explodes round Helberg. 14-0 to England. Take a breather.

South Africa come out hungry they need points, but a big tackle form England cause a spill to Wade who pins his ears back before hitting Damu who gallops over to make it 21-0. England relishing this as Rodwell joins the part with a massive hit. Boks try and be to intricate yet again and it’s another error from them. Finally the hosts string some decent phases together and Venter goes in but it’s not going to change anything. England take the Plate.

Result: England 21 South Africa 7

20:35

South Africa and England both not that happy to be in a Plate Final obviously but it's a chance for some points at least. They last played each other in San Diego in February, where England scraped it. South Africa have really stuttered this weekend, not helped by injuries and other issues mentioned earlier. England looked really good in their win over Australia, with Wade and Gollings very sharp indeed. It's Plate time. Fiji v New Zealand Cup Final to follow after this one...

20:31

Bowl Final – Russia v Wales

Russia as always willing to put their bodies on the line but Wales have all the ball and Craig Hill, the most experienced guy on the pitch, bundles over for an early 7-0 lead. It’s all a bit scrappy from then on with Davies and Rees having a pop but the Russians hold firm and they earn a couple of penalties that get them out of a sticky spot. Drinks.

This has to be one of the worst finals I’ve seen for a while. Stop-start with neither side imposing themselves on to the game. A loose pass from Artemyev is picked up by the Welsh and pocket-rocket Lee Rees, who hasn’t had much game-time over the last couple of weeks, set off on a lung bursting run that sees him double his side’s advantage. Lev Sleptsov pulls one back for Russia but that’s all they can muster. Wales grab another Bowl.

Result: Russia 5 Wales 14

20:15

Russia has only beaten Wales once, back in Cardiff in 2002. Wales have won all other encounters. What a run it has been for Russia, their 14-14 draw with Russia yesterday and their two wins today. Do they have anything in their tank left for Wales?
Wales won the Bowl last week in Dubai, another one for the mantelpiece would be nice for coach Paul John. Russia/Wales for the Bowl.

20:10

Shield Update: Nice to see Scotland putting some wins together finally. In an entertaining game they overcame the French 28-19 with a brace for Anderson and Adamson doing enough to take the Shield. No overall points for the Series though...

20:04

Mule Update: Just had brief cavort around the ground with old Mule. Lot of Father Xmas hats flying around and we even found Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, which was random. Mule thinks he is big time because a couple of random kids thought he was a player and asked him to sign their ball. They obviously hadn't seen his gut! Excitement building round the ground for the finals...

19:44

South Africa Sevens Trivia: Vuyo Zangqa, one of the stars of the 2008/09 campaign, suffered a serious facial injury in a car accident back in June.It left him without sight in one eye and forced him to retire. He is now coaching the South African second string, the SA Vipers

19:40

Tony, Fiji:

Bula Robin! So NZ and Fiji meet again in another final. Sounds like it's going to be low scoring such is the quallity of both sides defenses. Has to Fiji though, right man?!!

19:38

Cup SF - Argentina v Fiji

Argentina get off to another flyer, like they did against Samoa. Todeschini the livewire cuts through and then more territory results in Piccaluga getting an inside ball and from no-where it is xxx. Fiji crucially get something before the half is up though, as close quarters passing, a Fijian speciality, finally sees the languid Tuwai over. 14-5 to Argentina. That’s the half.

Fiji press but credit to Argentina who hang on for grim life as the likes of Vucago and Tuwai keep running. So much possession for Fiji a try is inevitable and it comes in the form of Cakau whose score brings this thing to 14-12, still in the favour of Argentina. Penalty to Fiji and it’s swung left and he does what has become his trademark, pirouette – it’s enough to see him over. Fiji 19-14 up. A kick through from Argentina see’s Tuwai knock-on and Argentina have an attacking scrum. Pumas now get a penalty but they kick it and it goes dead. Fiji are in the final...

Result: Argentina 14 Fiji 19

19:21

Who is meeting New Zealand in the grand finale? Argentina or Fiji? It’s been almost five years since Argentina beat Fiji, but what an opportunity here. OK so they start as massive underdogs here but it’s Cup Semi-Final right? Argentina have now reached three George Semi-Finals in a row. The likes of Bruzzone and Garzon have done superbly for the Pumas. But can they unlock Fiji? Similarly to NZ their tackling has been phenomenal all weekend. The heart says Argentina, the head Fiji.

19:15

Cup SF - Kenya v New Zealand

Ridiculous from Kenya’s Kayange, taking it cleanly from his side’s kick-off and he’s under the H from the off! 7-0. Back come the Kiwis, with DJ Forbes half stopped and Raikabula given the ball and he’s in for a guaranteed 7 pointer now. Danger-man Stowers is operating in the centres and he gives some room Baker to score another for NZ.12-7. Splendid from Kenya. A real team effort as they all get a touch working it from their own 22 with super support and Weru finally scores it. 14-7 to Kenya. Drinks.

Kiwis kick for touch from a penalty as they look to impose themselves here, but that’s some careless handling. Scrum-time and NZ pinch it and Zar Lawrence goes blind for a score in the corner. 17-14 to NZ now. Now it is the Kenyans knocking-on and the nerves are jangling out there. So tense. Stowers kicks through and Raikabula thinks he has scored for NZ but no it’s disallowed. Huge defence from NZ, highlighted by a massive hit by Forbes, is enough to get them through.

Result: Kenya 14 New Zealand 19

18:50

Samoa v South Africa

Samoans sluggish and error strewn. Mbiyozo buries over from short range to kick-start the Boks here. 5-0. But they then start needlessly kicking ball and gifting possession back to Samoa. Chan-Tung of Samoa constantly a menace and he finds that elusive campaigner Pesamino who gives Samoa the lead under the sticks. 7-5 Samoa @ Drinks.

Boks sticking to Treu’s game plan, with Afrika the playmaker as always scything in and out and spinning to Mbiyozo who in turn gives Stick the easiest of finishes. 10-7. South Africa still far from their fluid best but they are hanging on, a stumble from Mentz almost proves costly for the hosts. School boy stuff this first Boks pinged for delaying the line-out then Samoa done for feeding at scrum-time. Bizarre ending as it seems Samoa's Pesamino is red carded for a stamp? Full time.

Result: Samoa 7 South Africa 10

18:32

South Africa may have relinquished their crown here at George but the crowd will urge them on here. The crowd are baying for a win and the Samoans heads seem to be down, can they summon themselves for one more effort? Who is meeting England in the Plate Final?

18:27

Plate SF – England v Australia

Early try for the Aussies and it is Pat McCutcheon going over after after some decent work from Quirk and Taylor. What a reply form Wade, blasting on the outside cutting in then just having the extra cylinders to score. 5-5. Better from England controlling the tempo, they work it right to left and Caprice has oceans. 10-5. Drinks.

The Australian based Gollings causing more problems to his count of residence, darting incisively over. Wade now jags back inside and the Aussies just can’t cope with his pace at the moment and the score gors up to 24-5 to England. England’s Norton cough’s up the ball over the line but the hooter goes. Who will England face in the Plate Final? South Africa or Samoa?

Result: England 24 Australia 5

18:07

Right we save Plate action up now, and a chance for the beaten Cup Quarter-Finalists to restore some pride and confidence. First up it is a battle of the Ashes...England v Australia

17:57

Plate Update: Russia won the battle of East v West when they overcame USA 24-5 to make thier first Bowl Final. They will meet Wales who overpowered Portugal thanks to Justin Tiperic's brace in the 24-7 win.

17:34

South Africa Sevens Trivia: George has hosted an IRB leg here for the last seven years. Durban and Stellenbosch are other places to have hosted IRB Sevens.

17:29

Shield Update: Scotland banished their World Series blues when they blew away Zimbabwe 35-12, with Andrew Turnbull getting a hat-trick. France also reversed their form just having too much for Tunisia by 26-21.

17:10

Some Twitter Chat going:

Musuluvy @UR7s Collins Injera has just been awarded the 2009 Kenya Sportsman of the Year Award!

He's had a heck of a year, that doesn't suprise me. Will he step up against the Kiwis later? Just had a wonder around and bumped into a pretty downbeat England coach Ben Ryan and a focused USA Coach Al Caravelli who is getting his side ready for their Bowl-Semi.

16:59

Just to confirm those Plate Semi-Finals for you that are coming up later, it's for the four losing Cup-Quarter-finalists:

Australia v England
Samoa v South Africa

16:30

Mule Update: Muley got fully into that match pretending he was a fully fledged Boks fan. Crowd are a bit down, not happy with the ref surprisingly. Everyone soaking up this sunshine. I've told him to stop talking to ladies (even if they are like a "tanned goddess") and to find some fancy dressed characters to play with. Where's Stumpy when you need him?!

16:27

Gavin, Australia :

Do we ever get a boring Cup QF match? Brilliant stuff! Fiji had to take a lot of flack from the crowd and fully deserved that. Think Kenya can overcome New Zealand, they looked sloppy. Really impressive from Pumas

16:24

Time and time again these Cup QF's are breathtaking. But we finally have our two Cup Semi-Finals:

Kenya v New Zealand
Fiji v Argentina

16:23

Cup QF – Fiji v South Africa

Partisan crowd urges their side on but Fiji hold them out with some aggressive ‘D’. Interception by Tuwai who feeds Ryder and he’s under the H. 7-0 to Fiji. Perfect riposte for the hosts with Schoeman running a quality line and weaving in7-5 to Fiji. Crowd scream injustice from a breakdown decision but Cakau is in and a cacophony of boos ring out. Fiji 14- SA 5. This is getting feisty as Stick and Prison Officer Cakau throw some handbags. Everyone needs a breather.

Fiji ruling the breakdown and another turnover see’s Cakau run away from a flayling Mbiyo. 21-5 to Fiji. Better from the Boks working it left and right, and then it’s simply numbers and MJ Mentz cuts in over the chalk. 21-12 to Fiji. 2 minutes to go. What a finish! Great power from Horne and Mentz squirms over in the corner. 21-17 to Fiji. Boks just don’t have the Fijians pace and Votui gets them territory, the hooters goes and it’s curtains for the hosts.

Result: Fiji 21 South Africa 17

16:12

Boks Paul Treu faces arguably his toughest challenge as coach.

Captain Paul Delport limped off with suspected ankle ligament damage on day one, joining Dazel, Aplon, Ebersohn, Benjamin and Zangqa of the players missing from last year. Apparently they have had a laptop with all their analysis on pinched late last night too. What else can go wrong? Backs against the wall stuff against Fiji who are rampant currently with Ruder, Vucago and Tuwai at the height of their game. In the last 6 up Quarter-Finals between the two Fiji have won four of them…Fiji v South Africa

15:58

Cup QF - Samoa v Argentina

Rampant stuff this from the Pumas, they dominate territory and little Bruzzone wriggles over. The Samoans just look flat here Piccaluga now delays its beautifully and Bottini goes in 12-0 to Arg. Carnage this for Samoa - brilliant hands from the Pumas gives Bruzzone another! 19-0 to Arg. Lui’s replacement Otto gets them back into this slices though a gap and stretching his legs. 19-5 to Arg @drinks.

Back come Samoa! First it’s Fa’osiliva grabbing an early breakout then Paul Chan Tung, who looks like he should be in band JLS, is jinking in for another. 19-19, this is going to the wire folks. Baud gets an intercept for Arg and its flung to Pedro Garzon who crucially goes in. Great kick and it’s 26-19 to Arg. The hooter goes and the Pumas are ecstatic!! A Cup Semi-Final for Coach Lobbe’s youngsters.

Result: Samoa 19 Argentina 26

15:57

Samoa just picked up on their Dubai run with another top effort yesterday. Their win against NZ highlighted their form. But they will have to without their inspirational leader Lolo Lui who has some back issues. Could be crucial that. Argentina just go about their business without any fuss and find themselves in another Cup QF. These two last met in Edinburgh at the end of last year, with the islanders running away with a 42-0 win. This is bound to be tighter though with a Cup Semi up for grabs.

15:38

Cup QF - England v New Zealand

Gollings on fire! England get an early penalty and he’s is stepping past Lawrence to get England going. Moments later he goes blind then make a sharp step past Cama and nudges the conversion. 12-0 to Gollings (Eng). Stowers has his first run, but that’s magnificent from youngster Wade hauling him down. Ball goes right to Lawrence and despite a massive hit from Wade the try is given to NZ. 12-5 to Eng. Sensational flick from Cracknell and Barrett dives over - brilliant Sevens. 19-5 England.

Back come NZ, winning a penalty and despite Damu’s leaping tackle, Forbes gets an easy run after Cracknell left his man unmarked. 19-10 to Eng. NZ looking threatening now and they are using Stowers as a decoy and it’s giving others like Raikabula room and the latter scores. 19-17 to England. Why England? They kick it away again and Stowers’ burst tees up Lawrence and NZ lead 22-19. Confusion reigns with timer on the scoreboard not working but NZ do enough.

Result: England 19 New Zealand 22

15:15

When England/New Zealand play in the IRB Sevens fireworks go off. Twice last season their matches went into extra-time with England triumphant. England have in fact won their last 4/5 meetings with the Kiwis. A record that doesn’t sit to easily with the ultra-competitive NZ Coach Gordon Tietjens. He openly admitted to the press yesterday that they need to get Sherwin Stowers, his flying winger, more ball and I’m sure Ben Ryan would have prepared his England squad for the IRB’ Sevens leading try-scorer this season. He bagged a mere 6 more tries yesterday.

Hold your hats. It’s showtime. Legendary NZ commentator Murray Mexted has joined me in the box and he’s licking his lips at this one.

15:14

Cup QF – Kenya v Australia

1-0 to Injera, who gets the better of Sills’ weak tackle and eventually the barrel like Victor Oduor dots over. 5-0. Aussies try and find the key to unlock this Kenyan line but it’s not happening for them and instead Injera breaks out and finds Asego on his right shoulder. 12-0 to Kenya. Aussies not out of this but it is imperative they get that first score after drinks.

They haven’t listened. Injera with a bank of Sevens experience of the youngster Sills is teaching him a lesson, tying him knots and making it 17-0 to Kenya. Oduor is now put in by Kayange and this one is pretty much over already at 24-0 to Kenya. Consolation score for the Aussies with skipper Pat McCutcheon going in. Better from Sills, making a good foray, and Shaun Foley finishes off the move eventually. Kenya head to the Semi-Finals much to their fans pleasure.

Result: Kenya 24 Australia 12

14:36

Boom. Cup Quarter-Final time! As said previously Kenya scraped through as Pool A winners yesterday after that high octane game against the Boks yesterday. I felt they played more like a set of sevens instead of relying on Kayange and Injera, with the likes of Innocent Simiyu and Gibson Weru upping the ante. After progress in Dubai, Australia went backwards yesterday I felt, and were taught a lesson by Fiji. They need to pick themselves up and really believe they can go and beat Kenya, which I think they can if they put in a FULL 14 minutes. Sills v Injera could be interesting.

14:26

Sanya, Kenya :

Shujaa's got better one than Boks,make us proud and lets watch Adema. I've not felt this guy work it for Kenya yet. England and New Zealand, lets wait, purely adrenaline charged anticipation.

14:21

Keep the emails coming in livetext@ur7s.com

I'll put the best of them up.

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14:19

Bowl Updates: Russia continured their great run over the last couple of weeks with a superb win over Zimbabwe's Cheetahs, 22-17. Shugay and Slepstov both crossing for braces. Scotland's miserable run continued when they were undone by Al Caravelli's USA, 21-10. Malifa, Edwards, and Sio crossing for the States. Wales were far too good for Tunisia, winning 33-0, and are overwhelming favourites for the Bowl you feel. France continue to disappoint going down to a steady Portugal 26-17.

Bowl Semi-Finals: Russia v USA, Wales v Portugal

14:17

South Africa Sevens Trivia: In 2001 Williams was selected as the coach of the South African sevens team that won bronze at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and ended runners up in the World Sevens Series. He remained Sevens coach until 2003.

14:12

The Cup Quarter-Finals are notoriously difficult to call, such a lottery. England/New Zealand also run each other to the limits, don’t be surprised if this goes the distance. And what about the Boks? Hampered by injuries and internal issues they have to now man-up against their nemesis Fiji. They go in underdogs to that one no doubt, but I’ve got a little feeling they might pull something out here.

14:12

It may be a slightly smaller event then the grandiose festival feels gigs like Hong Kong, Wellington, and Dubai but it offers other things. Stunning beauty of Outeniqua mountains in the backdrop of the stadium gives it a unique feel that you don’t get at the other gigs. Its local feel backed up by the passionate support for the Blitzbokke all near to the action adding to the ambience. The tented villages are getting busy, It’s a 10,000 sell out, Going to be an cracking day.

13:53

Mule Update: If you weren’t around yesterday I’ve roped a chum of mine, The Mule, to let me know what’s happening around Outeniqua Park. No sign of him at this hour. We went for a casual couple of beers last night when i had finished up here, but I left him after a couple of Castles, to be nice and refreshed for my journalistic duties...

13:46

Weather Updates : Right officially the hottest day I’ve had at a tournament this I’ve been doing this gig. No clouds, clocking about 30 degrees at 11:20am local time already. How much of an impact will this have? Who can cope best? Fluids aplenty.

13:45

More admin... this is what points are on offer today:

Cup Winner – 24 points
Cup Runner-Up – 20 Points
Cup Semi-Final – 16 points
Plate Winner – 12 points
Plate Runner-Up – 8 points
Plate Semi-Final -6 points
Bowl Winner – 4 points

13:45

We are now into the business end of these tournaments. The knockouts. Bowl and Cup Quarter-Finals coming up.

Bowl QF:
Zimbabwe v Russia
Scotland v USA
Wales v Tunisia
Portugal v France

Cup QF:
Kenya v Australia
England v New Zealand
Samoa v Argentina
Fiji v South Africa

13:34

Samoa, England, and Fiji were the only ones to win all their games yesterday. Hosts South Africa and Kenya were also unbeaten but could only muster a 12-12 draw when they played at the end of the day yesterday.

13:34

Really interesting day’s play yesterday. Lots of really tight games and again just points to the improvements and promise that has been made by sides like USA, Russia, and the increasing potential of Wales and Argentina.

13:32

Howzit!!? What a jawl this Sevens malarkey is yah ma bru? As you can see I am really fitting in here with the locals in South Africa! Welcome to day 2 of the IRB George Sevens, the 2nd leg of the 2009/10 World Series.