Never ever write off the All Blacks

After the first day of the Dubai Sevens on Friday, it was all as expected. Big guns South Africa, Fiji, England and New Zealand were all comfortably through to the Cup quarter-finals and joining them were Australia, Samoa, Kenya and Argentina.

No real surprises then at all. Australia and Wales, both with young squads had battled for the second spot in Pool A and it was the Aussies who progressed, courtesy of their 28-14 win over the reigning Rugby World Cup Sevens Champions. South Africa looked to still be in second gear, but registered three wins from three including an unanswered 29 points against Australia in the day’s final game. Predictably the Arabian Gulf struggled, but they did give the home fans something to cheer, scoring a try against both South Africa and Australia.

Mikaele Pesamino looks to cut loose against Fiji on day one

In  the most clear cut of pools, Pool B, South Sea Island neighbours Fiji and Samoa drew their game 12 all, but it was the Samoans who topped the group due to their superior points’ difference.

England sailed through in Pool C, hardly breaking sweat and looking in total control, even against crowd favourites Kenya. The one surprise package in this group was the Russian team, who edged the USA 14-12. Times are changing in world rugby and in the fifteens world rankings, Russia only sit two places behind the USA in eighteenth spot. They proved here that they are no mugs at the abbreviated game either. Despite Kenya’s advancement they didn’t look totally on song and were unconvincing winners over both Russia and the USA.

Lote Raikabula crosses for a New Zealand try

New Zealand desperately wanted back the crown of IRB Sevens World Series champions which they relinquished to South Africa last season and they set their stall out early with three excellent wins including a 38-10 rout of Rugby World Cup Sevens runners-up Argentina.

In Saturday’s Cup quarter-finals first of all there was the shock exit of South Africa, succumbing 17-5 to the wizards from Fiji, then New Zealand had to come from behind to edge Kenya 17-14 at the death.

Next up England required extra time to see off Argentina, before Lolo Lui wrote his name in Samoan rugby history with a conversion from the touchline which gave his team a one point margin of victory 28-27 over Australia.

The semi-finals were less nail-biting with New Zealand cruising home 19-0 over Fiji and Samoa holding on to the early lead they had built up in the match against England to advance with a 28-19 score-line.

Dubai Sevens 2009 winners New Zealand

So it was certainly not the final that most would have expected. Last year’s 4^th ranked New Zealand against 7^th ranked Samoa. New Zealand hadn’t won an IRB Sevens World Series tournament since Murrayfield in June 2008; Samoa’s last win being one week before that at Twickenham. However you can never ever write off the All Blacks, especially in seven a-side rugby with Gordon Tietjens at the helm. He has overseen eight Series wins already and who would bet against another one after they controlled the final and despite the best efforts of the Samoans came home with a 24-12 win and the all important 24 Series points.

It’s off to George, South Africa next weekend where the locals will be hoping that Paul Treu’s men have shaken off the cobwebs and can make a better showing on home soil, where they will face fellow African teams Kenya and Zimbabwe in the group stages. Here in Dubai they were the victims of the impressive young Australian team in the Plate final

The last two international teams to win at 7he Sevens Stadium.Wales looked a team for the future, but South Africa struggled

Wales rebounded from day one disappointment to also show that they are a team for the future in winning the Bowl final and Russia edged European rivals Portugal to deservedly collect silverware in a rare appearance at a major sevens tournament.

7he Sevens Stadium, Dubai

All in all an exciting start to the IRB World Sevens Series, played at a superb venue in front of plentiful and enthusiastic spectators. There are eight to ten teams who could win on any given weekend should they hit top form, but the All Blacks have given early warning. They want their crown back- this year!

Images courtesy: IRB