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Live Text Commentary
2010 IRB Adelaide Sevens - Day 3

Sun 21 March 2010

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). Its the business end of the tournament at the knockout stages. Who will walk away with the maximum 24 points? 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

19:01

I'm out of here. The Adelaide Oval is emptying and the party is over...or just starting?! I'll let you know. See you next week. Lan Kwai Fong and Wan Chai watch out! For Everything 7s...

18:59

Next week? Small matter of Hong Kong Sevens with a massive 30 points on offer to the winners. Can Samoa make it three-on-the bounce? We shall see but its going to take something special to stop them. How open is the IRB Sevens?! With the likes of Kenya and England in the Bowl, SA, NZ, and Fiji in the Plate nothing is certain. Long may it continue folks.

18:57

UR7s blogger Jon Bolter:

"I am sitting in a mixture of shock and elation with regards to the US! I am pleased for the lads that they are well truly making me eat my words, though I can' help but feel they haven't beaten a side in form yet, Samoa were a different kettle of fish but go USA!"

18:35

IRB Sevens Table:

New Zealand 96
Samoa 94
Fiji 74
Australia 62
England 54

18:34

Reaction from Stephen Betham, Samoa Coach on Pesamino (11 tries).
"There is no substitute for pace in Sevens and he was just superb. A great team effort though"

Reaction from Al Caravelli, USA Coach,

"We came back from a tough loss against Australia finshed in our first final. It's a great platform for us"

18:27

Joy for Samoa and they gather in a team huddle and belt out a traditional song/prayer in the middle of the Adelaide Oval. They might not have the overall lead in the IRB table but they are the form team. Back-to-back wins are not easy but apart from the NZ quarter-final they haven't really been troubled. Stephen Betham has really got the best out of this side.

How much will the USA take vform that?! So much confidence for Al Caravelli's team for the rest of the season. Caravelli has cultivated another strong team.

18:22

Cup Final – Samoa v USA

Samoa off to their usual flyer, with Pesamino creating this time, as he passes to Otto and Samoa are 5-0 up. Pesamino off again, but that is an unbelievable tackle from captain Kevin Swiryn –how quick was he there to defuse the threat. Malifa nails a nice clearance kick for US. Back storm USA with Malifa making it all happen with quick hands out to Nick Edwards who is in. 5-5! Bad missed tackle from Test and Samoa advance, US re-group but there is room for Pesamino and he jets through the gap. 12-5 to Samoa @ drinks.

Samoa have too many guns in their armoury, with a delayed pass giving Treviranus space and he scythes through and runs 50m. 19-5 to Samoa. Attacking line-out and its floated to Otto, who uses Pesamino as a decoy but is through himself. 26-5 and Samoa sure has this thing. Yep, Pesamino gets a sublime pass from Otto who gets yet another. 33-5.Mai rounds things off brilliantly collecting his chip to stretch this to 38-5. US grab some consolation through Pangelinan’s quickly taken tap and he is over.

Result: Samoa 38 USA 10

17:56

Here we go...the Adelaide Sevens Cup final. Samoa v USA.

It is the first final for the USA of course so there will be some nerves there for sure. Can they cause the unexpected? Samoa are going for their fifth IRB title and looking for back-to-back wins on the 09/10. Pesamino is the danger, but to be honest their whole squad is a threat. The US just need to stay in there for the first set of 10, then anything can happen....

17:54

Brett, USA:

Create some history please USA. Show the world we can compete with the best. Samoa and that man Pesamino are the biggest hurdle our boys fill face for a while.

17:52

Reaction from NZ captain DJ Forbes:

"We had a hard draw with Samoa in the quarter-finals and then Fiji in the Plate semi-finals. So we have done it the hard way...Samoa are a tough team lets see what the USA can do."

17:51

Plate Final – New Zealand v South Africa

Tokula has been fizzing today, he is at it again scoring early 7-0 to NZ. Afrika now chipping and Tokula is ambling and super Sampie Mastriet catches him napping. 7-7. Looked dodgy that grounding though. Class from New Zealand. Mikkelson is on the end of a line move and when Forbes hits his inside shoulder, it’s just beautiful. 14-7 to NZ. Horne (106kgs) pile drives kiwi Baker and ref Pastrana didn’t enjoy it and bins him. Boks back in, through new guy Chris Dry who scores before the break. 14-14.

Penalty to NZ and they make use of it with the long striding limbed Tim Mikkelson powering off his left for superbly taken try. 21-12 to NZ. Injury to Benjamin and this rock hard turf has caused all the teams some issues. NZ defence is just being too stingy and it is all a big fragmented. Sin bin for NZ, Tupoula is off, how many yellows have they had this w/e. Final effort for Boks but no they can’t make it happen.

Result: New Zealand 21 South Africa 14

17:26

Keep the emails coming in. Does anyone out there think the USA have a hope against Samoa?

Email views and comments to: livetext@ur7s.com

17:25

The penultimate final of the day now; Plate. The Series leaders New Zealand against the defending champions South Africa. Fair play to New Zealand they bounced back from a tough tight loss to Samoa to beat Fiji earlier and could do with the 12 points on offer here. Remember if they lose and Samoa win, the Kiwis will lose their top dog status.

The Boks won this final in Vegas and another Plate for Paul Treu’s mantelpiece would give his young side another big boost ahead of HK. Just love this new guy Sampie Mastriet...really exciting.

17:19

Bowl Final – England v Kenya

Perfect start for England, a lovely team try. Brightwell makes the initial burst and hands form Gollings and Turner give speedy Chris Wade the points. 7-0. Injera strikes back breaking, sucking English defenders in and finding Simiyu. 7-5 to Eng still. Lovely vision from Brightwell (a forward remember) who chips and finds Wade out wide who blazes in for Eng. 14-5. Awesome work from Lindsay-Hague jinking and spinning it to Rodwell, Powell is in support for the try. 19-5 @ drinks.

Turner blows an chance when he should have given it. Doesn’t matter though as it is a penalty try with Lindsay-Hague getting obstructed off the ball. Odd call but England up 26-5. Kenya just coughing ball up on numerous occasions. Kayange pulls one back for the Africans going in between Rodwell and Abbott. 26-12 to England. Superb from Abbott though going blind and handing off for a class try. 33-12 to England. And that’s how it all finished.

Result: England 33 Kenya 12

16:58

Kenyan fans getting excited now as their beloved Shuuja take on England for the Bowl. These two met in the Cup QF's in Vegas a few weeks back with the Africans winning in extra time. Only four points on offer, but its pride and momentum for Hong Kong (next week)which can be gained. Just spotted a bunch of Power Ranger in the Kenyan crowd. All one big IRB Sevens family.

16:51

Shield Update : Japan took the title with a 22-19 win over Tonga. Two tries for giant Alisi Tupuailei against his former countrymen enough for the win.

16:41

Reaction from Australia coach Mick O'Connor:

"We were 19-0 down before we knew what was going on, and they denied us the ball, comprehensively outplayed us in the air and on the ground I thought. So we were 19-0 down and very difficult to come back from that.

"What this tournament's shown is that any side on the day if they get their act together (can win). There's no doubt there's character, the boys want to win, it's just that execution and handling the pressure and put it all in the experience, hopefully that will pay dividends in the next tournament."

16:35

S. Masae :

I don't have Fox Tel cable, but I'm following your coverage online. You are a legend, thanks for keeping us informed. I'm loving all these upsets. Sevens is truly more global than it's 15s counterpart, more exciting too. Thanks for the good work. Awesome site!

Andrew, Singapore :
What a day Robin. Upsets and shocks. Samoa just look a different class. Argentina blew that I feel. What were the odds on US making the final?

Cheers guys. Stay tuned for the big one later!

16:32

So there we have it. The US make their FIRST EVER Cup final in the IRB Sevens. They have just taken their chances brilliantly this weekend. Fair enough the Pumas made defensive errors, but they took their chances and this side are just playing with so much confidence. Samoa are a completely different challenge though.

If Samoa win the Cup final, and New Zealand lose their Plate final against SA, the islanders will be on top of the IRB log come close of play.

16:15

Cup SF – USA v Argentina

Perfect start for USA with Suniula, with a rare start, scoring early. 7-0. US looking so confident here! Swiryn is inspired, so skilful for a big man with an off-load that sets up the Eagles with good position. Edwards bursts away from the breakdown and its 14-0. Suniula gets a try disallowed for obstruction off the ball. US playing a physical brand with support in twos and threes. Eagles are seven minutes from their first ever final! US up 14-0. Get some fluids on board chaps.

More sensational stuff for the USA, with cracking off loads from Test and Suniula and Malifa darts through. 21-0. Pumas need something amazing now. They give themselves some hop with Plama getting on the end of a sweeping move. 21-5 to USA. Merello then gets a generous bounce of his shoe to claw another back for the Pumas. 21-12. Are the US relaxing? Swiryn seals it! He twists out of an uncharacteristic weak Pumas for one more try under the H. USA in the final!

Result: USA 26 Argentina 12

15:55

The last time the USA were in a semi-final of the Cup they came up against Argentina...and lost in San Diego. They will get their revenge no in the second semi-final. These two met in Vegas, the last tournament on the Series, with the US coming through 19-14. We didn't expect these two but its going to be cracking North America v South America clash. Key men? Hawkins for USA and Palma for Argentina. Winner faces Samoa in the tonight's final.

15:51

Cup SF – Samoa v Australia

Brilliant capture from the kick-off by Mikaele who hits Otto for an early 7-0 lead to Samoa, wow! Aussies didn’t deal with that at all. Samoa making the ball do the work here and Ofisa Treviranus gets the ball steps and Samoa double their lead. 14-0 to Samoa. Brilliant vision from Mai who chips and finds Otto out wide. 19-0 to Samoa @drinks.

Brave form the Aussies as Stannard make a break and Quirk finishes it. Aussies back in this. At 19-5. Samoa just bossing this, controlling the temple and Fa’osiliva steps Stannard and gases away. 26-5, curtains? No yet. Karauria-Henry has been superb this weekend, his dummy gets another 7 for Oz. Its 26-12 to Samoa.

Result: Samoa 26 Australia 12

15:38

First of the Cup semi-finals: Samoa v Australia With NZ fighting for the Plate, Samoa have a great opportunity to possibly take control of the IRB Sevens table by the end of play here. They beat Australia at this same Cup semi-final stage in Vegas a few weeks back, but it was close. Home crowd urging their young 'Green and Gold' Aussies on but this is a tough examination for Mick O'Connor's men.

15:34

Plate SF – Wales v South Africa

Benjamin and the new find of the IRB Sevens, Sampie Mastriet, looking busy early doors and their hard work sets up Kyle Brown for an early try. 0-7. Mastriet now gets it on the wing in some room and shows impressive power and momentum for a small fella. 1-0-12 to SA. Nice stuff from Du Preez and Minnaar making loads of room for Benjamin to take this out to 0-21.

Du Preez gets another score for SA and this could get ugly for Wales. Now it’s Afrika chipping ahead and scoring for the Boks. They love to use that tactic and that was a perfect demonstration. The score takes it out to 0-29 and no way back for Wales. Rhy Jones is trying his best for Wales but SA hold firm.

Result: Wales 0 South Africa 29

15:21

Wales/South Africa next. Wales has never beaten the Boks in IRB history, with SA picking up 17 wins over the course of the last 11 years.

15:19

Plate SF – New Zealand v Fiji

Great start for NZ with the highly effective Tokula going over for an early score. 7-0. Both sides released form the shackles Cup pressure willing to move the ball and play loose. Lovely interplay between Forbels and Mikkelson sees the latter score to push this New Zealand lead further. Kiwis using their traditional Black wall to smother the Fijians. It pays dividends with Lawrence getting it and sneaking over. 21-7.

Tokula twirling early for NZ in the second period but Fiji get back into this with a trademark breakout and score for Vucago. 21-7. Baker, dropped from the NZ starting line-up maybe for his sin binning antics earlier, sucks men in and despite Kolinisau’s tackle Arnolds scores. 24-7 to NZ. Cakau and Votu, two powerhouses for Fiji, claw two tries back but it is not enough. NZ into the final. Fiji are out folks.

Result: New Zealand 24 Fiji 21

14:47

Ok so they may have been gutted to be taken down in the closing stages of their respective Cup quarter-finals but they have the chance to grab 12 vital IRB points if they win this... small matter of New Zealand v Fiji first, not bad for a Plate semi-final!

14:46

Bowl Update : England were professional in their 19-0 win over a spirited France in the semi-finals. Wade, Brightwell, Lindsay-Hague all scorers for Ben Ryan. They will meet Kenya, who overcame Scotland 36-12. Collins Injera scoring his fifth of the tournament and nearing that magic tally of 100 IRB touchdowns.

14:39

Email views and comments to: livetext@ur7s.com

Follow on Twitter: @UR7sLiveText

14:38

Just popped outside and it really is sweltering. The players have the ice towels, a la Australian Open tennis, out at half-time. Some remarkable fancy dress even if it is noticeably more low key to the other events on the circuit. Pirates, characters from Avatar, and male ballerinas some of the characters drinking below the historic scoreboards at the Adelaide Oval. A good buzz around the shop following those epic quarter-finals...

14:33

Shield Updates : Tonga put away PNG with ease, Etisoni Hefa getting a hat-trick in the 45-0 win. Asian Sevens champions Japan edged a brave Nieu with the impessive playmaker Koji Wada grabbing two scores. So Tonga/Japan for the Shield later.

14:07

strong>UR7s Blogger and former USA Eagle, Dallen Stanford:
Amazing result for the USA boys!!! Excellent work from the entire squad and I know that they want nothing more than to take Argentina in the semi finals. One match away from making history. USA all the way!!!!!!!! :

13:30

Leo, Argentina :
Yes Pumas, so close to that final. Only USA to beat. Lobbe has worked wonders with these amateur players!:

13:27

Reaction from Australia's Robbie Colman :

"We definitely improved by coming back and not giving up. It was good to see the boys come back and get a victory. It makes it all the better to do it in front of our home crowd."

13:15

Plate semi-finals:

New Zealand v Fiji
Wales v South Africa

13:12

That has to be the best set of quarter-finals i've ever witnessed. Words can't explain. Each game went to the wire with the winning tries coming after the hooter had gone in each game. Sensational.

Cup semi-finals:

Samoa v Australia
USA v Argentina

13:11

Cup QF – South Africa v Argentina

Nervy stuff this with neither side able to cut loose. Its almost as if they are waiting for one another to make a mistake. Dangerous tactic that. Pumas are in though! Kick goes through and silky Argentine footballing skills from Palma who gets the pressure down. Boks run it from their half, Du Preez spills and Del Busto makes him pay dashing in to make this 0-12 at the half to Pumas. SA coach Paul Treu is reading the riot act.

Pumas quite happy to play the percentages here, kicking from their half looking for field territory. Boks going hammer and tong but the Argies are swarming and defusing the threat. But captain Kyle Brown is too big and strong and SA hits back. 7-12. Massive for the Boks as that man Mastriet goes on a loop and skips in for the try. Kick is good. Boks up 14-12. What a try! Argentina win! Amazing team move with everyone involved with Tuculet giving it to Palma who bundles over!! 14-17 to Arg.

Result: South Africa 14 Argentina 17

12:55

South Africa or Argentina to meet USA. They last met back in May 2008 in Edinburgh where they drew 19-19. SA’s 19-year-old new boy Sampie Mastriet has been a revelation this weekend, scoring 6 times since he replaced the injured Steven Hunt in their first game. The Boks are the double defending champs here and have every chance of making it three-in-a-row here. Can they break their Cup QF curse? The young Argentina Pumas have just done enough all weekend. Todeschini and Palma are the key men for coach Lobbe who have had a solid few days.

12:49

Cup QF – Wales v USA

Great start for Caravelli’s Eagles with Malifa going on a mazy run and finding the Polar Bear himself, Matt Hawkins for the first points. 0-7. Back come Wales, benefitting from a penalty and despite a loose ball Darren Daniel pulls points back. 7-5 to US still. End to end stuff thus far with but both sides survive. USA shoot themselves in foot with a sin-binning to Swiryn. Half-time.

Hawkins thinks he has scored but no its disallowed and Wales turn it with Shellard spreading it wide and Jones makes a break and cruises in from 70m. 10-7 to Wales. Welsh dominating possession and territory but US surviving..for now. Hawkins boshes up For USA and offloads and Peters didn’t back himself, checking and Wales’ Lee Rees saves it. Eagles have done it! Brilliance from Swiryn keeps it alive and Pangelinan scores and is the hero for USA. They are in the Cup semi-finals!

Result: Wales 10 USA 12

12:30

I’m really looking forward to this one. USA/Wales is next! Both sides built the foundation for this Cup slot with wins over Fiji and England on day 1. No side contain any standout men, their success is just built on teamwork, hard graft, and supreme fitness. USA won’t have Emerick though, as he is suspended. Will that be key? Wales kept their composure y'day to score the required 43 points against PNG yesterday to qualify.

12:29

Dallen, USA :
Robin you legend! Greetings from Austin Texas - with the South by South West music festival going mental! BUT not as crazy as Adelaide. All the boys here are super excited for the USA quarterfinal. Keep up the great work - we can't watch it here LIVE - so you are our eyes!!!!:

12:27

This is why we love Sevens! Two amazing finishes and the home fans have gone beserk. Aussies were dead and buried but they just didn't give up. Fiji shellshocked! Samoa v Australia later on...

12:26

Cup QF – Australia v Fiji

Aussies hold out in defence and when Gill breaks his captain McCutcheon is on his shoulder. 7-0 to the Aussies. Vintage Fiji! They build in their own half with lovely stuff from Tuwai and Cakau with Roko supporting and scoring. 7-7. Boom..Vucago body check gets him a binning, can Australia take advantage? Yes. Stannard breaks his pass hits a Fijian and McCutcheon catches it and is over. Fortunate but Oz lead 14-7 at the break.

Down to 6 men but don’t give Fiji a sniff, loose from Gill, Cakau picks up and hits Beci for the score. 14-12 to Aus still though. Great hit from Roko and Fiji have it and Cakau is ripping around his man. Sublime speed for a 17stoner. 14-17 to Fiji. Penalty to Fiji and Beci chips Kimami and just smokes him to the ball. 22-14 to Fiji now. Aussies hit back wth Stannard finishing off nicely after good work from McCutcheon. 21-22 to Fiji,. AMAZING!! Scrum and Stannard goes blind and SCORES! Australia win. 26-22.

Result: Australia 26 Fiji 22

12:09

No time to catch my breath we are into the next one. Who will meet Samoa? Fiji or Australia.

Revenge mission for Fiji now. Australia drubbed them back in Vegas 28-7 and Tanivula’s troops will want to reverse that. Going to be tough for the Fijians though. Aussies are on their home patch and increasing in confidence each game with the likes of Brackin-Karauria, Stannard, and Gill the form men. With Kiwis out Fiji know a good run here could see them close the gap in the overall IRB log.

12:06

Cup QF – New Zealand v Samoa

Tokula, who was banned from NZ’s first few games, gets some room on the left wing and rounds Pesamino for an early 5-0 lead. All Samoa now winning a number of penalties and yards but the Men in Black’s wall holds tight. Lui fills in a at scrum-half and Pesamino cuts in from first receiver under the H. 5-7 to Samoa. Break from Pesamino and it is picked up by Fa’osiliva but amazing tackle from Tokula, NZ hold firm courageously but Lui smashes over. 7-14 to Samoa. Its brewing b/w Pesamino and Baker...

NZ back in this one. Tokula break cuts inside to Baker who slides by Pesamino to score and gives him some verbals to boot! 12-14 to Samoa still. Brilliant counter from NZ with Cama and Baker influential and Lawrence dots down. NZ lead 19-14. Epic end and Samoa go looking to get back in this and Fa’osiliva bundles over..try? Yes ref gives it! Baker has a crack at the ref and is binned. Lui misses kick! 19-19 Extra Time.

*Samoa have the man advantage and will surely make them pay, they do with Timoteo Iosua cutting inside and evading Cama for the Samoa win!

Result: New Zealand 19 Samoa 24

11:34

Samoa/NZ in the first Cup QF. Samoa have been a real nemesis for IRB leaders New Zealand this year. They beat them in fornt of their home fans in Wellington semi-finals and then of course beat them in the Vegas final. Pesamino has picked off three intercepts against the kiwis, so I’m sure they will be wary of that. New Zealand have only missed three tackles so far this weekend -95% tackle completion. They will have to be water-tight to stop the likes of Fa’osiliva, Mai, and of course Pesamino. Could be an epic.

11:31

Bowl Updates : Kenya eased into the semi-finals cruising to a 25-7 win over Nieu, Collins Injera and the in-form Innocent Simiyu going over twice. Scotland put their poor form and injuries to one side to beat Japan 21-15, with the in form Andrew Turnbull scoring twice.

11:20

Keni, Fiji :
GO FIJI. Take down the hosts Australia and make Suva proud!:

11:18

Twitter from England coach Ben Ryan last night:

"Bad day - made our bed Friday & didn't get rub of green against Oz. No one wants to be in bowl - but chance to build momentum & have fun."

11:17

We want to hear from you. Who do you think will take the title? Get in touch with UR7s with any thoughts, banter, and witty musings...

Email views and comments to: livetext@ur7s.com

Follow on Twitter: @UR7sLiveText

11:15

Bowl Updates : For the teams finishing third and fourth in their Pools yesterday its the Bowl for them today. France were comfortable winners against Tonga with Yan Ruel impressing with a brace of scores in the 38-0 win. England hit back after a poor couple of first days with an comprehensive 47-0 win over lowly PNG. Leading IRB Points Scorer, Ben Gollings (2) and James Rodwell(2) leading the way. England will meet the French later in the semi-finals

11:06

Australian Sevens Trivia: This is the fourth time Adelaide has hosted the Australian leg of the Series. Brisbane were the previous hosts and was where Australia last won a leg on the Series, all the way back in 2002...

11:02

Weather Updates : Cloudless and ‘scorchio’ at 26 degrees. Factor 20 kind of day with the fans needing to slip slop slap it on today. Unless your fancy dress is a gorilla and panda suit – both were spotted yesterday. Sweaty stuff indeed.

10:59

Samoa/New Zealand what a clash that will be. The Samoans look the form team here with Mikaele Pesamino in superb form as always, scoring 8 tries so far this weekend. USA/Wales is an unexpected one thats for sure whilst defending champions South Africa have a good draw and are increading in confidence.

10:55

Some awesome match-ups today and some interesting Cup quarter-finals:

New Zealand v Samoa
Australia v Fiji
Wales v USA
South Africa v Argentina

10:38

Morning Sevens fans! I’m reporting live from the City of Chrurches, aka Adelade, aka RAdelaide, aka BAdelaide following last night’s party shenanigans. It’s Day 3 here and that means one thing..knockout stages.
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