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Live Text Commentary
2010 IRB Adelaide Sevens - Day 1

G'day Sevens fans! Robin Heymann is Down Under bringing you up-to-date action from the fifth leg of the IRB Sevens World Series in Adelaide (19-21 March). New Zealand still top the pile but the likes of Samoa and Fiji are closing in fast. Let UR7s talk you through all the big hits, tries and banter from the historic Adelaide Oval this weekend.

Email views and comments to: livetext@ur7s.com
Follow on Twitter: @UR7sLiveText

21:49

Sean Nicholas, South Africa:

Great day today. Impressed with Samoa, New Zealand, SA and Australia. Great stuff by Wales and USA. Makes for a very interesting day 2. I love Rugby Sevens!!!:

21:42

Cheers for joining me Sevens fans and keep the emails coming in for tomorrow. It's time for me to explore some of Adelaide's favourite establishments for a couple of cold thirst quenchers. It's hot work here in South Australia. Am pumped for tomorrow, join me around 13:30pm local time.

21:39

So that's the end of Day 1 here in Adelaide, with the eight Pool games at an end. I don't think the crowd could have asked for much more, with two upsets for Wales and USA and some champagne tries to boot. It's going to be a cracker tomorrow, some tight Pools with only 8 sides able to go through to the crunch Cup quarter-finals.

21:36

Pete, USA:
USA awesome stuff! Just shows what they can do when they pick the same players over a period of time. I’m half welsh too so I’m a happy boy! :

21:31

Match 8: Australia v Niue

Good start from Australia with Karauria-Henry stepping past a couple of men for an early 7-0 advantage. Moments later 17-year old Gill feeds Quirk and the lead is doubled. 14-0. Aussies work the widths and eventually there is bags of room for Kimami Situati to go over for his first of the weekend. He’s at it again a minute later bumping Pulu and hitting the corner. 26-0, take a breather boys.

Aussies work a simple overlap to give Ed Quirk a try on ‘deboo’ and it’s all so easy at 33-0. Niue searching for something from this though and Tony Pulu with some delightfully dishonest fluorescent boots burns hard on the outside dropping the hammer for a score. 33-5. Good interplay from Karauria-Henry and Gill puts Stubbs in again and it’s 40-5. And that’s how it remained.

Result: Australia 40 Nieu 5

21:17

Some pre-game reaction from Australia's Ed Quirk:

“We’ve been playing some really great football and being in Adelaide, this is our main event because we’re at home, it really means a lot to us to do well. We want to show everyone that we’re one of the best teams out there. It’s going to be great seeing the home crowd enjoying themselves, it fuels you that little bit more, to do a bit better and to fight harder.”

21:15

First look at the ‘Green and Gold’ now with hosts tackling Nieu. Much has been talked about the Aussies form coming into this tournament and could be a fun bet for their first title since Brisbane 2002. Their tails are up and with Sitauti, McCutcheon, Stannard, and Karauria-Henry in form they could do some damage this weekend. Like PNG Niue (with a population of just 1500..yes that’s right 1500..) didn’t embarrass themselves in Wellington. They’ve beaten some of the big guns before but the odds are obviously stacked against this lot.

21:14

Second massive shock of the night...England will be gutted. Fully deserved for Al Caravelli's Eagles capitalising on sloppy tackles. Its been a fascinating night with one game to go.

21:11

Match 7: Pool – England v USA

Quick start here with England firing out the blocks with an early Matt Turner score. Back comes US though with Emerick breaking and popping to Swiryn. 7-7. Brilliant from the little magician Malifa whose dabs a kick through for Nick Edwards who has been a try machine this year. That’s his 14th of the campaign. 7-14 to the US. Sensational continuity by the Eagles as they pressure England and Matt ‘The Polar Bear’ Hawkins finishes it off. 19-7 @ Drinks. Ben Ryan needs some inspired words…

Wade blazes away 80m cuts inside but Turner is held. Penalty and Gollings does his usual chip over, collects and scores. Perfect response from England. His conversion brings up his 2238 point in IRB Sevens.. 14-19 to US though. Swiryn is now breaking and that’s shocking ‘D’ from England as he goes under the sticks. 14-24 to USA. Royle now breaks for England, that’s superb. 21-24 it’s going to the wire. England press post hooter but they cough it up and its another shock!

Result: England 21 USA 24

20:50

England last met the US a few weeks ago in Wellington, with the English easily triumphing. The US did beat them here a couple of years ago. Might be closer this time around with some continuity in selection for Eagles boss Al Caravelli. Swiryn, Emerick, Hawkins and Malifa all impressed in Vegas. England finish with a whimper in the plate semi-finals last time out but Drauniniu is a useful man to recall. Do they have the oomph to break the top three’s stranglehold?

20:47

Match 6: Argentina v Tonga

South American flair again South Sea brutality so far as no side can make it over. From a scrum though Tonga press and Mateo goes over. 5-0. Olivari goes on a lung busting run but he’s hauled down. Tonga go over again though to make it 10-0. Argies pull one back though with little Diego Palma finishing bravely. That’s what they deserve. This is going to be tasty.

Tonga just controlling this, they really can mix it with the best and Okati is almost over. Moments later Mateo powers up through midfield to restore the two try cushion. Argies are trying to get back in this but have been physically man-handled. Kick through allows replacement del Busto to touch down. 17-12 to Tonga still. Grandstand finish with Pumas pressing hard, can Tonga keep them out? No Tuculet scores to make it 17-17. Can Todeschini win with his kick..yes via the post!

Result: Argentina 19 Tonga 17

20:41

Australian Sevens Trivia: Opinionated Wallaby legend David ‘Campo’ Campese loves his Sevens and learnt his trade back in 80s and 90s in Hong Kong and the 1993 Sevens World Cup. Since then he has helped out with the Australia team and his currently assisting the Tongan side. Split loyalties for him this weekend then.

20:29

Tonga/Argentina. These two have played each other 12 times and its 6 apiece. I think everyone is in agreement that Tonga should play more on the Series. They always seems to make an impact but just lack experience. Only one man in their squad has played more than one event (Josateki Veikune), but these guys can play ball let me assure. Aside from George back in December the Pumas, with their new squad this season, have been a bit disappointing. Will they finally click this weekend?

20:24

Reaction from Wales captain Jevon Groves following his side's win against Fiji:

“We are delighted with the win, it’s been coming for a long time. We’ve pushed some top teams in the past and this shows we mean business. It’s one small step here in. We have a big game tomorrow against Kenya and to get a win against them would show we are a top team and we can compete...,I’m really looking forward to it.”

20:23

Match 5: Pool C – New Zealand v Scotland

No Stowers but Baker isn’t slow himself and he rips it around Mike Adamson with consummate ease. 5-0. Scots press but wonderful squirming on his line by Baker allows Forbes to break out and he hits Fritz Lee. Forbes is a big man but that a dainty little piroutee and woeful Scottish tackling. 19-0 and that’s you lot in a pretty uneventful first 7.

More of the same as this time the lanky but highly effective Tim Mikkelson spots no sweeper and chips, collects and scores. Cama nails the extras. 26-0. To and fro stuff as Turnbull thinks he is in for the Scots but he’s snagged. Then Cama spills an easy ball with the line begging. Lawrence…Zar Lawrence, doing what he does best looping round, dummying and flying in for another. 31-0 to NZ. Frantic end with Souness and Tupuola Are both binned for NZ and Scots looking for the perennial ‘consolation’. It doesn’t happen…

Result: New Zealand 31 Scotland 0

20:06

Scotland have unfortunately been in a sorry state this season yet to escape the doldrums of the Shield. Again more changes for them here and they are already down to 11 with Chris Kinloch flying home early. Big couple of weekends for coach Stephen Gemmell. Kiwis have some issues of their own, injuries to gas man Stowers and Lote Raikabula doesn’t help the Series leaders but they have the strength in depth to cope better than others.

20:04

Australian Sevens Trivia: The Aussie Women’s Sevens team are the current World Champions. Led by Cheryl Soon they lifted the inaugural title in Dubai in March last year. They were coach by Jason Stanton, who is now with the South Africa Men’s Sevens side. Don’t say I don’t try and educate you lot.

20:00

Match 4: Pool C – Kenya v Papua New Guinea

Kenya are shoddy starters often but they look prepared and focused for this one with Innocent ‘Inny’ Simiyu scoring early (I didn’t see it unfortunately as was continuing my tirade against Fiji journos). Kenya playing patiently but Simiyu is at it again going wide on the outside to double the Africans lead. PNG hit back though with Lawrence Kuso winning the footrace to a wild fly-hack. 12-7.

Kenya restore order with Simiyu now turning provider feeding his captain Kayange who dots down in the corner. 17-7 to Kenya. The ‘Shuuja’ showing some good rhythm in their play but the finishing touch just eluding them and PNG hold them out. Not for long though with Gibson Weru pouncing on loose ball from a stray scrum. 22-7. Kayange is almost as quick as his brother Injera and he races in impressively for his 63rd IRB try. That’s you lot.

Result: Kenya 27 Papua New 7

19:47

Kenya love it in Aussie, runners-up here last time out and semi-finalists the year before. With so much experience in their squad time is ticking for this side to win their first title. Spoke with their captain fantastic Humphrey Kayange yesterday who thinks their slack form this season is concentration thing. Their natural ‘chilled out’ vibe can sometimes be their Achilles heel. Papua New Guinea were in Wellington and did ok-ish. Look out for the Ponda brothers for Waisale Serevi’s men.

19:43

What a shock! Pool C is wide open folks. Rib tickling from yours truely to the Fijian journalists. They didn't take it as well as i'd hoped. Sevens is a religon in Fiji remember.

Joe, London:
Heymanntor... Pool C - Group of death anyone?! I know they're on home territoy but I can see Nieu causing an upset against the Aussies

Steady on Joe, i know you are excited about that last result but lets calm ourselves pal.

19:40

Match 3: Pool C – Fiji v Wales

Early Fiji break with Tuwai and Kolinisau prominent and Cakau just gets in despite Morgan’s brave attempt. 5-0 to Fiji. Nice from Tuwai sucking men and when it’s spun wide Roko puts on some turbo boots and cuts in under the H. 12-0. Tipuric is big prospect in my opinion for Wales and he cuts the gap between the sides to 12-5. Wales get a penalty but the islanders keep them out. Oranges!

All Wales folks, as Tipuric is making yardage, school boy dummying and hitting Chris Morgan whose over. 12-12 in Adelaide. Big pressure again fro Wales who press but Fiji’s ‘D’ is immaculate. Wales again attack the flanks and Darren Daniel is in. 17-12 to Wales. Upset?! More penalties to Wales can they convert? Welsh are out on their feet but are 40 sec away from a famous win. Wales win!!

Result: Wales 19 Fiji 12

19:22

One of the more intriguing clashes this evening. Fiji have been there and thereabouts most of this season, impressing mainly through their powerful forward line. They are missing Burotu here but they have the strength in depth. Nice to see the deadlocks of Nasoni Roko back too. Wales will enjoy having Craig Hill back with Tipuric, Groves, and Evans in decent form. Predicting Wales edge Kenya tomorrow…just have a feeling. Fiji for this one though.

19:22

David, Hong Kong:
Thanks to Adelaide for warming the teams up for Hong Kong next week. Jealous of the weather though Robin. Fiji/Samoa surely!

19:20

Match 2: Pool B – South Africa v Japan

OMG the injury curse continues for the Boks with both captain Brown and Stevie Hint down with injuries at the same time. Brown gets up but Hunt limps tamely to the side. Is that his tourney over already? Ball spun wide to replacement Sampie Mastriet who scores with his first IRB touch for the Boks! 7-0. Scrappy play with the Japanese thinking it’s a knock-on, but no Benjamin picks it up and races over for 14-0 to SA.

Mastriet, this new teenager, is making yards for the Boks, du Preez is the link-man popping to Afrika who juggles but keeps hold of the pill and is under the H. 7-0. 21-0. Mastriet is on fire, cutting a ruthless line off Benjamin and sliding in. 28-0. SA, the defending Adelaide champs, dominating possession and looking well drilled, Mbiyozo is off the bench and scoring to extend this thing to 35-0. Japanese press with the hooter gone, but its pinched by the Boks and Mastriet is in for a hat-trick on ‘deboo’!

Result: South Africa 40 Japan 0

18:59

Boks/Japan. The Boks may be the reigning IRB champions but it has been a rude awakening this season. They lie in seventh position but importantly they started to show some really progressive form in Vegas with Cecil Afrika scintillating. They’ve been plagued by misfortune and injuries and coach Paul Treu has been missing this week with his mother unwell back home. Japan have actually beaten the Boks…back in Tokyo ten years ago! They are the Asian Sevens Series champs. Walked past Japan’s Tongan born powerhouse Alisi Tupuailei in the street yesterday….UNIT.

18:59

Weather Updates : It’s a beauty! Ripper of a Friday evening as the Adelaidians (is that even a word?) are trickling in post work for a coldie in the sun. Definitely a bat first type of day here at the Adelaide Oval.

18:56

Match 1: Pool B – Samoa v France

Nervy stuff this early on as France thwart an early Mai break. Basic errors from Samoa early on as passes not finding their men. Delmas has been a standout man for France this season and his break opens the deadlock. 7-0. Impressive from Les Bleus. Back come Samoa through – guess who – Mikaele Pesamino. 7-7. Pesamino now turns provider offloading to Levasa. 14-7.

France playing some decent stuff here. Vaquin floats to Delmas who does Pesamino for dead around the outside. 14-12! Great ripping and thieving from Aiono who scoots away on his own from 50m. 21-12. Pesamino being used often here and he again assists, this time giving 35-year old Mai a try. 28-12. Samoa tucking in now and Pesamino in for his 124th IRB Sevens try! 33-12.

Result: Samoa 33 France 12

18:38

As mentioned earlier Samoa is the form team here in Adelaide. They possess the ideal blend for any Sevens side; Ball winners (Fa'osiliva & Mikaele), Playmaker (Mai), Finisher (Pesamino), and Points Machine (Lui). With some injuries to NZ and Fiji they are probably heading into this as favourites. France again come off the back of some mediocre performances. Ridiculous when you consider how well their 15-a-side Big Brothers are showing at the mo.

18:37

Samoa/France to get things going...

18:37

So Adelaide is spread over three days. The 16 sides are split into four pools of four and tonight we see the first round of group matches. The group stages continue tomorrow with the spine-tingling/squeaky bum knockouts set for a pulsating Sunday.

18:33

Adelaide Sevens Pools:

Pool A: New Zealand, Scotland, Argentina , Tonga
Pool B: Samoa, South Africa, France, Japan
Pool C: Kenya, Fiji, Wales, Papua New Guinea
Pool D: England, Australia, USA, Nieu

18:33

Why don’t you tell me what you think?

Email views and comments to: livetext@ur7s.com

Follow on Twitter: @UR7sLiveText

18:32

New Zealand may have the slender lead as things stand, but all conquering IRB Sevens kiwis have been shaky of late and are missing key men through injury. Samoa are in red hot form following their Vegas win, only their 4th win in IRB Sevens history. Fiji can never be discounted either young England. Can hosts Australia, South Africa or last year’s runners-up Kenya spoil the party? Can Papua New Guinea, Nieu, or Tonga cause an upset?

18:31

For those new to all this a quick re-cap of the 09/10 season: New Zealand won the first two legs in Dubai (UAE) and George (South Africa), with Fiji winning in Wellington (New Zealand) and Samoa taking the title in the last tournament in Las Vegas (USA).

Overall standings: New Zealand 80, Samoa 70, Fiji 68, England 50, Australia 46, Kenya 44, South Africa 36.

Who will be triumphant here and grab the elusive 20 points before the le grand one next week in Hong Kong?

18:31

Adelaide is the precise location FYI. For one weekend a year this place turns into a mecca to the Rugby Sevens Gods as 16 sides battle it out for IRB Sevens World Series supremacy at the Adelaide Oval. This is the fifth tournament out of the eight on the Grand Prix style Series. Excited aren’t you?!

18:14

G’day you little beauties! I’m Down Under in the Land of Oz home of Australia’s finest; Sir Donald Bradman, Kylie Minogue, um...Mick Dundee, Alf Stewart?
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