• • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Technorati
  • Reddit
  • Stumble Upon
  • Furl

Live Text Commentary
2010 IRB Hong Kong Sevens - Day 1

IRB Hong Kong Sevens - Fri 26 March 2010 (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Perth, Manila

UR7s’ Robin Heymann is back where he likes it best. It’s Hong Kong Sevens time! The sixth leg of the IRB Sevens World Series sees leading contenders battle it out for 30 valuable IRB points. It’s a definitive part of the season with New Zealand holding a two point lead over red hot Samoa. Join UR7s for Live updates keeping you posted of the action on the pitch and in the legendary South Stand in So Kon Poh.

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

22:43

Join me tomorrow nice and early (around 10ish) for Day 2. The IRB Sevens' most grandeur filled gig is off and running my appetite is certainly whetted. See y'all tomorrow. Should I be naughty and go out?

Keep the emails coming in...

Email views and comments to: livetext@ur7s.com

22:40

South Stand Text Updates : “Colonials have been spotted so Alex Hawes will be happy. Some awesome singalongs with Black Eyed Peas and of course Amarillo keeping us amused here. Now its off to Lan Kwai Fong for more refreshements",Tiny Tim

22:36

So there we have it, the first round of pool matches completed here for this weekend. They will of course be completed tomorrow but have served as rather tasty Hors d'œuvre here in Sevens HQ. No real shocks although Japan pushed Wales to the brink.

22:32

Match 12- Pool F: South Africa v Zimbabwe

Loose ball on the dewy turf and the Cheetahs hack on with Gardener Nechironga winning the race. 0-5 Zimbabwe. SA start to play their familiar pattern and win a penalty. Afrika goes quickly and hits Mbiyozo who smashes over. 7-5 to SA. Afrika spots some space and pins his ear/dreadlocks back to extend the SA lead. 14-5.

Boks look the busier from the off in the second period with Afrika sniping. He sets up Sampie Mastriet and SA have breathing room at 21-5. SA making uncharacteristic errors and Zims Manasah Sita steps his man to close it to 21-10. Bad missed conversion though. Super work from stand in skipper Kyle Brown sucking men like a magnet and giving room for Afrika to grab his second. SA 28 Zim 10. Fair play to Zims, playing some decent stuff here and some nice exchanges see Nechironga get another before the hooter.

Result: South Africa 28 Zimbabwe 15

22:15

Essential Cantonese:Ngor kin du Scooby Doo, hi lap sap tung fun gow (I’ve just seen Scooby Doo asleep in the bin)

22:12

Last game of the day boys and girls...

Last game of the night. South Africa/Zimbabwe. IRB reigning champions South Africa have faced the agony of being runners-up in Hong Kong for the last two years. They have still never won here. Like Wales, plethora of injuries for coach Paul Treu but they are starting to show some decent form. Great to see ‘Zim’ here again for this all-African clash and coach Liam Middelton must be hoping the electric Wesley Mbjanje is on song.

22:10

Alex Hawes, Budleigh Salterton UK:
As you cast a watchful eye over the best efforts of those currently lubricating themselves in the South Stand can you confirm sightings of any British ex-pat's in full colonial military regalia - a reminder to the former colonies of who's still in charge.....last seen Summer 2009 half way up the East Stand of Ellis Park with the British Lions?

Can’t see any with my geeky binoculars Alex, but I’ll ask my spies up there and get back to you. A lot of ‘Where’s Wally’ in today FYI.

22:09

Match 11 – Pool E: Wales v Japan

Great start for Wales, some slick handling sees Rhys Shellard in nice and early. 5-0 to Wales. But Japan are looking the more threatening without a doubt. First Tupuailei meanders up the field but is hauled down. Then after a dodgy Wales lineout, Kenji Shomen cuts past his man to bring the Asians back into this one at 5 apiece. A pleasure. Intricate from Japan from a penalty with Tupuailei cutting with Wada and Kilryong So finishing. Japan 5-10 at drinks!

Japan impede welsh attacks and look like they might take this out further when Koji Wada is almost in. But the World Champions are made of sterner stuff and the rangy Alex Cuthbert – back from injury- thunders in from 70m. Wales 12 Japan 10. Rhys Webb does brilliantly there, evading men on his own line and then almost finishing Cuthbert with his poke through. Wales steal it.

Result: Wales 12 Japan 10.

21:52

Fair play to Wales coach Paul John, he has had to contend with numerous injuries and a host of new players but still they are building and this new breed really work hard for each other. Very unlucky to lose to the USA in the closing stages of the Cup quarter last weekend. Japan are the premier team in Asia but their fitness levels are their major weakness I feel.

21:49

Match 10- Pool D: Canada v Tonga

Tonga lose a man early on to injury and Canada look threatening. Phil Mack gets it on the nearside to me and dummies his man expertly and scoots over unopposed. 7-0. Turnover for Tonga and Iongi bursts clear but loses his footing on the greasy footing. But Tonga hit back and Jack Ram evens this one up busting up the middle. 7-7.

Brilliant vision from new man Nanyak Dala who smashes it across field with a high hanging kick into space and its picked up by Hirayama. 12-5 to Canada. How many times does a loose pas unsettle defences? Okati picks up it up off the deck, darts past Dala and Tonga score. 12-10 to Maple Leafs though. That’s your lot.

Result: Canada 12 Tonga 10.

21:27

Three games left today.

Like so many nations Canada has gone for the future and blooded many youngsters this season. I’m talking teenagers. They stunned the rest when making the Cup quarter-finals in Wellington. Phillip Mack gives them some experience and guidance. Tonga are always competitive on the IRB Series and their tight loss to Japan in Adelaide’s Shield Final doesn’t tell the whole story. They can catch the big boys cold.

21:26

Streakers v Security : We will keep count all weekend. How many brave streakers can make it on the pitch and off again safely, avoiding jail!? We’ve had the out first one. Tall gangly kid about 14. He has no speed but was an awkard customer to put down, he dodges two and clambers over in the corporate boxers and is safe! Streakers 1 Security 0.

21:23

Match 9- Pool C: USA v Portugal

USA’s Nick Edwards is almost in but is hauled down just short. Ball is moved right to left and big Matt Hawkins is hanging on the wing and breaks the deadlock. 7-0. Barnard snipes beautifully right in the heart of the Portuguese, it’s expertly rucked and Malifa squirms over the line. 12-0 and USA looking cosy as the hooter blares out at the Hong Kong Stadium.

Portugal grab a lifeline with an early score through Leal but then the USA click through the gears. Hawkins is powerful from the breakdown to power over, after great ball skills from Swiryn. Moments later its simple hands and Captain Swiryn shifts through some threadbare ‘D’. 17-5 to USA. Tavares pulls one back for the Europeans, 17-10, and Portugal are somehow clinging on in this. Oliveira thinks he has scored late for Portugal but no it was a knock-on…

Result: USA 17 Portugal 10.

21:07

USA/Portugal next on stage.

“We have kept nine guys together for three straight tournaments. That consistency is very important and that translates to results on the field,” says USA coach Al Caravelli. One of the main reasons the US reached the Cup final last weekend. Unspectacular returns in Dubai and George for Portugal earlier this season. Look out for Pedro Leal – playmaker, protagonist, catalyst etc.

21:06

Greg, London:
Still seem a long way to go for the Asian sides to compete. Must be tough for them having to play against guys who have played on the IRB Sevens since December.

21:00

Match 8 – Pool B: Scotland v France

Poor start from both these teams with errors creeping in. France getting a genuinely tough response from the South Stand as expect. Superb break from Besson, he’s hauled down but incredible pick up from Jeremie Malzieu off his bootlaces! 0-5. Andre Turnbull, very much the Scots “go-to man” carves up some ropey tackling and after some Ozone friendly recycling, Micheal Fedo claws one back for the honest Scots. But no he’s pulled back no try. Drinks.

Delmas is class and he cuts past Turnbull there with ease and the diminutive winger scuttles. 0-12. Scotland press but it’s the same old story. They just can’t convert pressure into tries. They have chances but don’t have the spark required at this level. Finally Turnbull scores from a tap penalty but the hooter had already gone. France win.

Result: Scotland 7 France 12

20:56

More Twitter action from England coach Ben Ryan following his side's 45-0 over Hong Kong:

'Good start - 45-0 win against HK and pretty good performance, can't remember any errors. Back on star ferry to hotel. Big day tomorrow'.

20:45

Scotland/France. Injuries, inexperience and some limp wristed performances have dogged Scotland for most of the season. They are yet to get off the mark in the overall standings. A heap of changes again for this weekend, including a late call for Grant Anderson to replace experienced full-timer Colin Shaw. Watch out for France’s Renaud Delmas. A one bright light for coach Thierry Janeczek this season.

20:35

Women’s update : We’ve just had the Women’s final on and World Champions Australia (Aussie Amazons) has defended their Hong Kong title against China, winning 26-0. Full report to follow later on UR7s.com

20:30

South Stand Text Updates : “UR7s, It’s been a slow start for me today, a long one in Wan Chai last night, and a dodgy tummy for most of the day..not ideal. Finally here in the South Stand though and its lively but very much calm before tomorrow’s storm. Sitting next to some stunning blondes dressed as Cat Woman. Result!” John

Take care now Johnno!

20:19

Hong Kong Sevens Trivia: China’s Johnny Zhang Zhiqiang has played in every single Hong Kong Sevens his country has been in since 1998. He is the leading try-scorer here going over 25 times. At 36 this is Johnny’s final HK 7s...or so he says!

20:14

Match 7 – Pool A: Argentina v Russia

Argentines swarm in attack and are rewarded with a Santiago Bottini try. They press again and this time its Del Busto supporting well from an inside ball and Todeschini finishes it off and converts his own try 12-0. Babaev and Sleptsov working hard to make it happen for Russia and they think they have scored before the half-time hooter…but no they pulled back for crossing. 12-0 to Arg at drinks.

Russia love playing it physical and they are wearing down the Pumas and get that key score thanks to Yury Gosyuzhev. 12-5…upset on its way? Todeschini is breaking nicely and paving the way for Garzon to go in. 19-5. Match over? No, Russia have the last say breaking out with stamina sapping support from Vasily Artemyev who is over. 19-12 to Argentina though.

Result: Argentina 19 Russia 12

20:07

Reaction from Fiji coach Iliesa Tanivula after their 81-7 win over Thailand:

"We spoke about coming down and piling up as many points as we can and the boys did that so we've got to just look forward to tomorrow. All due respect to Thailand, we didn't really do a lot to score some soft tries, but credit to the guys the way they came mentally prepared for today."

19:58

Russia is another country with mega Oympic potential. Results have been solid in recent times, shown in their Bowl win in George. In fact in their last two visits to HK they have also walked away with the Bowl. They like the Bowl it seems. They are likely to host RWC Sevens 2013 so exciting times lie ahead. Pumas looked good in Adelaide making the Cup Semi-finals and have a boost here with Agustín ‘Gus’ Pichot their manager.

19:48

Match 6 – Pool F: Kenya v Korea

Nice work from Simiyu early on grinding the Koran down. 5-0. Brian Nyikuli is now breaking and looking dangerous with a well taken try. 12-0 to Kenya. Korea just can’t get their hands on the ball and that is lovely support from Gibson Weru. 17-0. School-boy stuff from Korea with no guards at a breakdown, easy try for Collins Injera. 22-0. Injera grabs another before the break showing far too much for the Koreans. 29-0. Take two.

Korea need to sort this defending at the breakdown its poor and Kayange has acres of room and jogs in from half-way. 34-0. Kim Won-Yong breaks for Korea and they can’t touch as he bos and weaves and passing for a Chun Jong-Man score. 34-7. Kayange again breaking from that poorly defended breakdown. 41-7. Injera makes yards and pops smartly to Sidney Ashioya who finishes nicely. Victor Sudi Simiyu grabs one more for Kenya.

Result: Kenya 51 Korea 7

19:31

Kenya/Korea. By their own standards Benny Ayimba’s Kenyans have disappointed so far this season. Still they have some happy memories of So Kon Poh from last year, scene of an incredible fighting win against New Zealand in the Cup quarters. What a stage to clinch that ever-elusive first title. Korea enjoyed a good Asian Series run, winning in Shanghai and beating Japan twice.

19:29

Martin,Hong Kong:
Stuck at work Robin...coming down in 30 mins though. Much banter in the South Stand?

Its building nicely, standard Smurfs are in as are about 25 Super Girls and some Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are a nice touch too. Saturday and Sunday are when it will really get going. I’ve got spies over there ready to give me text updates.

19:28

Match 5 – Pool E: England v Hong Kong

Nice build up from England with Wade making an early run, and when it’s swung right, Ollie Lindsay-Hague is on hand. 7-0 England. HK pressure and they build some nice phases but when Rodwell steals it, speedster Wade is released and he roars in from 80. 14-0 to the Ennngeerland. Nice form the England forwards, Brightwell pops to Powell, who in turn his Rodwell. 21-0. Refreshments.

Brightwell and Turner suck men in and Lindsay-Hague is really sharp here ghosting away to extend this to 28-0 for the Whites. Turner a constant menace makes a touchline break and pops inside to Nick Royle for 33-0. England’s tempo will please Coach Ben Ryan and with Lindsay-Hague’s miss pass finding Powell England are over again. Drauniniu’s hopeful nudge ahead is picked up by Royle who goes in for his second. Encouraging for England.

Result: England 45 Hong Kong 0

19:27

Some Twitter action from England coach Ben Ryan earlier:

'On way to ground for 1st game at hong kong 7s 2010. My mum always tells me to "show them what you're made of." Sums us up this weekend.'

19:08

England/Hong Kong. The two best loved teams here in So Kon Poh now meet. Most of you will know how much England love it here. Winners four times between 2002-2006. Robbed by Fiji in last year’s quarter-finals here in dramatic circumstances. Hong Kong was pipped to East Asian gold in December. I think they fancy ruffling some English feathers.

19:08

Stat Attack: Fiji’s 82-7 win was the biggest aggregate score ever in the IRB.

19:04

Match 4 – Pool D: Australia v China

Aussies off to a flyer when simple hands give 18-year old Kimami Situati an early one. 7-0 to OZ. Jin Ye make a break and rips up the HK turf for a fabulous score, what a run. 7-5 to OZ. What?! Brilliant vision from Zhuan as he chips through and Yang burns it to touch down. OZ 7 China 12! Situati and Coleman combine and Brackin Karauria-Henry bursts over. 14-12 to OZ at drinks.

Stubbs goes on a windy run into the heart of China and some quick rucks make room for Karauria-Henry who gives the Aussies some room at 19-12. Li Jialin thinks he is in, but no Aussies turn it and Coleman breaks and is over the whitewash 26-12. Crowd getting stuck into the Aussies but they are in the mood now. Stubbs crashes over and its all ‘Green and Gold’, 33-12. Liam Gill showing some nifty feet there turning his man inside out. 40-12. Dom Shipperley’s quick thinking adds another one to the tally at 45-12.

Result: Australia 45 China 12

18:47

Along with Samoa, Australia are hitting the best form coming into this. Their youngsters are now becoming really comfortable in this IRB environment. They enjoyed some home support last weekend, but don’t expect this Hong Kong crowd to roll out the red carpet. Perennially viewed as the archetypal villains by the South Stand. China were fourth in the East Asian Games and fourth in Asian Games. A country with a huge amount of potential Olympic promise if they get the resources.

18:46

Essential Cantonese:Heung chin gau kah ah – kau jing! (Forward pass ref)

18:43

Match 3 – Pool C: Fiji v Thailand

Osea Kolinisau is a bit of a flat track bully so will fancy ripping up Thailand. He cuts through early doors and it’s 7-0 from the off. Kolinisau is now provider and feeds Beci who is lightening. 14-0. From the re-start good work from Lutumailagi feeding Tuwai. 21-0. This is devastating stuff from Fiji, angles everywhere and Lutumailagi is now in. 28-0. Kolinisau is off again with the 17 stone Cakau on his shoulder for 35-0 to the boyz from the South Sea. Vucago and Beci score two more and its 47-0 at drinks. Ouch.

Thailand touch the ball finally, but they soon losr it and Tuwai is in for his second. Cakau is powerful and so hard to bring down. He gets his second and we have a 61-0 ball game. That’s better Thailand! Crowd loves it as great interplay form likes of Zhongliang gives Yang a try in front of the South Stand. 61-7. Thais are out on their feet and Rokobuli makes them pay, cutting loose from a breakdown. 68-7. Cakau rides a hospital pass for his hat-trick and Rokobuli also is over for a crushing 82-7.

Result: New Zealand 82 Chinese Taipei 7

18:23

Hong Kong’s defending champions, Fiji, had a fairly mediocre weekend in Adelaide. Humbled by Wales in the pool stages, they then blew a two try lead against the Aussies in the quarter-finals. At a crucial juncture of the season they are struggling. What an experience for Thailand to play against them though. Step up from the Asian Series though..

18:22

Hong Kong Sevens Flashback: The Cup finals in 1990, 1991, and 1992 were all contended by New Zealand/Fiji, with the South Sea Islanders winning all three with HK darling Waisale Serevi running the show. Their run was broken famously in 1993 by an inspired Samoa in the rain.

18:21

Match 2 – Pool B: New Zealand v Chinese Taipei

CT make an early burst but its coughed up and the veteran Zar Lawrence is off and feeds Save Tokula. 5-0. Lawrence throws what seems like three dummies to extend it to 12-0. Arnold wriggles out of a happy slappy wrap-around tackle to race away for 19-0. There’s that bunny celebration again!? Forbes literally flattens Wei-Luan. That left a tattoo! Champagne stuff as Lawrence makes yards, and Forbes flicks for Fritz Lee.26-0. Tokula gets another before the break. 31-0.

Replacement Tupuola breaks away early for NZ to extend this to 38-0 but CT hit back. Cracking break from Wang Kuo-Feng burning Souness to get CT on the board. 38-5. Lawrence causing havoc in midfield, his latest break is finished by Baker for NZ. 45-5. New Zealand’s ever reliable captain DJ Forbes breaks away to bring up the fifty. Well batted. Tuitavake sneakily goes in to close this one for NZ.

Result: New Zealand 59 Chinese Taipei 5

18:04

Email views and comments to: livetext@ur7s.com

Follow on Twitter: @UR7sLiveText

18:01

New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens was not amused with some of the officiating in Adelaide last weekend. Kiwis conceded 22 in their first four matches and in their crucial quarter-final they were penalised six times to Samoa's none. Let us see if it improves here. Chinese Taipei struggled in December’s East Asian Games…this is damage limitation against the eight-time IRB champs.

17:49

Match 1 - Pool A: Samoa v Italy

Samoa straight into their swing with early scores to the hugely improved Fautua Otto and Treviranus. Both were hiding on the wing and the Islanders had the numbers. 12-0. Italy aren’t rolling over and Riccardo Pavan strikes back from close range. Pesamino chips ahead and surely that his 40th of the season? No there is too much weight on it and it goes dead. Drinks. 12-7 to Samoa.

Otto casuing numerous problems for the Italians and he offloads to that man Pesamino who does eventually gets his 40th of this 09/10 campaign. Treviranus gets another fro Samoa to make it 24-7 but Italy come back again. This time Bacchetti breaks away and its 24-12. Class from Tung and Tupou who make room for Mikaele and its 40-12 to Samoa.

Result: Samoa 40 Italy 12

17:49

So the in-from and deadly Samoans start us off against the Italians. Tough ask for the Azzuri on their first appearance of the IRB season. It is their 17th appearance overall in the Series and they include six new IRB Sevens caps in their squad. If you have to play Samoa this is probably the time to do it whilst they are a bit cold. Even so, this could get ugly.

17:39

It's a magical feeling here...and we are ready to rumble. First round of pool matches tonight. Boys, start your engines.

17:35

Weather Updates : Mixed conditions in HK this week. Hot and Humid then very cool. Some concerns have been made of haze and record levels of air pollution clouding the skyline in recent weeks. Unsure if it will have an effect on the players. Its nice and Sunny this early evening though.

17:34

Over the history of the tournament: Fiji (12 wins), New Zealand (9 wins), Australia (5 wins), England (4 wins). We so much at stake its no suprise there have been four different winners here in the last gour years. 2006(England), 2007 (Samoa), 2008 (New Zealand) and last year’s winners Fiji.

Can someone else break into the top echelon and win in Hong Kong? Possibly it is a fairly open playing field these days with USA, Wales, and Argentina shocking the big boys last weekend.

17:34

Six Pools for the first two days, with the winners going through to the cup on Sunday, joined by the best two runners-up.

Hong Kong Pools:
Pool A: Samoa, Argentina, Russia, Italy
Pool B: New Zealand, Scotland, France, Chinese Taipei
Pool C: Fiji, USA, Portugal, Thailand
Pool D: Australia, Canada, Tonga, China
Pool E: England, Wales, Japan, Hong Kong
Pool F: Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Korea.

17:28

Despite the global openness and unpredictability of Sevens it is fair to say there is to be a fair number of one-sided games tonight. Perfect opportunity for the big guns to flex their weary limbs against some of the so-called minnows. Weary? Yes that is because 12 of the core IRB Sevens teams were in Adelaide at the previous leg of the 09/10 Series last weekend.

Samoa triumphed in South Australia confirming themselves as the numero uno side around at present. Still New Zealand lead by a miserly two points in the overall log. The stakes are raised here in Hong Kong though with the this being a 24 team tourney (instead of the usual 16) the points increased.

17:23

Every sport has one. The ultimate event which sets a precedent for others to follow. The Hong Kong Sevens isn’t just the abbreviated code’s grand prize, it has become a world class sporting institution. Thousands make the pilgrimage each year to savour the electric atmosphere in So Kon Poh, where Rugby and partying go hand in hand. Brace yourself Sevens fans...UR7s are with you every step of the way.
Archive