The last Tournament in the 2014 calendar year for the HSBC Sevens World Series of 2014 / 2015 took place in Port Elizabeth at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens tournament was played over 2 Days, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December 2014.
When play started on Day 1, France scored within 14 seconds against Fiji, but Fiji rallied to demolish France by 45 / 5.
Canada surprised by beating Scotland 14 / 12 in the 2nd game.
A number of more surprises followed on Day one, but what remained firm was the South African Blitzbokke resolve as they monstered their way to 3 excellent wins, and only conceeding a solitary try in the process.
Apart from South Africa, the other big Sevens nations – New Zealand, England, Fiji and Australia were joined by USA, Scotland and Argentina in the Cup Quarters on Day 2.
South Africa advanced to the Final, beating England and Australia along the way, whilst New Zealand beat USA to advance to a semi against Argentina, then comfortably beat Argentina, to book their place against the South African Blitzbokke in the Final.
Australia took the 3rd Place Play-off game against Argentina, 34 / 19.
The South African Blitzbokke took Final honours against New Zealand by 26 / 17 and made it back to back tournament wins as well as a successful defence of the Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens title!
To Southern Hemisphere rugby interests, this tournament represents the last action in the 2014 rugby season, with their off-season officially starting after this tournament.
In the Northern Hemisphere though, it is all action in December.
The 2014 / 2015 season carries added significance because the top-ranked sides after the ninth and final round in London in May 2015 will qualify directly for the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016.
All times are SA Time (CAT = GMT+2)
Results – Day 1 |
||||
| 13 | Fiji | 45 – 5 | France | 10:30 |
| 13 | Scotland | 12 – 14 | Canada | 10:52 |
| 13 | Australia | 33 – 21 | Portugal | 11:14 |
| 13 | Argentina | 31 – 5 | Zimbabwe | 11:36 |
| 13 | New Zealand | 24 – 7 | Samoa | 11:58 |
| 13 | England | 45 – 0 | Japan | 12:20 |
| 13 | South Africa | 26 – 0 | USA | 12:42 |
| 13 | Wales | 29 – 5 | Kenya | 13:04 |
| 13 | Fiji | 26 – 7 | Canada | 13:46 |
| 13 | Scotland | 19 – 12 | France | 14:08 |
| 13 | Australia | 50 – 0 | Zimbabwe | 14:30 |
| 13 | Argentina | 14 – 7 | Portugal | 14:52 |
| 13 | New Zealand | 29 – 0 | Japan | 15:14 |
| 13 | England | 22 – 7 | Samoa | 15:36 |
| 13 | South Africa | 38 – 7 | Kenya | 15:58 |
| 13 | Wales | 12 – 38 | USA | 16:20 |
| 13 | France | 24 – 21 | Canada | 17:04 |
| 13 | Fiji | 19 – 12 | Scotland | 17:26 |
| 13 | Portugal | 19 – 7 | Zimbabwe | 17:48 |
| 13 | Australia | 21 – 31 | Argentina | 18:10 |
| 13 | Samoa | 14 – 17 | Japan | 18:52 |
| 13 | New Zealand | 5 – 0 | England | 19:14 |
| 13 | USA | 33 – 5 | Kenya | 19:36 |
| 13 | South Africa | 36 – 0 | Wales | 19:58 |
Fixtures & Results – Day 2 |
||||
| 14 | Wales | 24 – 22 | Samoa | 10:51 |
| 14 | Canada | 22 – 5 | Zimbabwe | 11:13 |
| 14 | Japan | 12 – 26 | Kenya | 11:35 |
| 14 | Portugal | 7 – 42 | France | 11:57 |
| 14 | South Africa | 31 – 7 | England | 12:19 |
| 14 | Fiji | 19 – 31 | Australia | 12:41 |
| 14 | New Zealand | 28 – 7 | USA | 13:03 |
| 14 | Argentina | 26 – 19 | Scotland | 13:25 |
| 14 | Samoa | 21 – 14 | Zimbabwe | 14:07 |
| 14 | Japan | 15 – 24 | Portugal | 14:29 |
| 14 | Wales | 14 – 24 | Canada | 14:51 |
| 14 | Kenya | 14 – 12 | France | 15:13 |
| 14 | England | 0 – 31 | Fiji | 15:55 |
| 14 | USA | 26 – 19 | Scotland | 16:17 |
| 14 | South Africa | 19 – 10 | Australia | 16:39 |
| 14 | New Zealand | 29 – 0 | Argentina | 17:01 |
| 14 | Samoa | 14 – 19 | Portugal | 17:43 |
| 14 | Canada | 24 – 5 | Kenya | 18:08 |
| 14 | Fiji | 14 – 21 | USA | 18:33 |
| 14 | Australia | 34 – 19 | Argentina | 18:58 |
| 14 | South Africa | 26 – 17 | New Zealand | 19:30 |
HSBC Sevens World Series Standings prior to this tournament:
| Team | AUS | DUB | RSA | USA | NZL | JPN | HKG | SCO | ENG | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fiji | 22 | 17 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 39 |
| 2 | South Africa | 15 | 22 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 37 |
| 3 | Australia | 10 | 19 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 29 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 13 | 15 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 28 |
| 5 | Samoa | 19 | 8 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 27 |
| 6 | England | 17 | 10 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 27 |
| 7 | Argentina | 12 | 13 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 25 |
| 8 | Wales | 10 | 10 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 20 |
| 9 | Scotland | 5 | 12 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 17 |
| 10 | France | 7 | 7 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 14 |
| 11 | USA | 8 | 5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 13 |
| 12 | Portugal | 5 | 5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 10 |
| 13 | Canada | 3 | 3 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 6 |
| 14 | Kenya | 2 | 2 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 4 |
| 15 | Japan | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 2 |
| 16 | Brazil | – | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
| 17 | American Samoa | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 1 |
grootblousmile wrote:
Completely agree with you, Treu seems to have stagnated as a coach while the game has moved on.
Our newer edge has a lot to do with how Powell is coaching them, and we are seeing the results.
Powell should get coach of the year and the 7’s Boks the team of the year.
Hands down our proudest moments as a rugby nation were watching them the past while.
Charo wrote:
Must be quota selections 😀
Good win for the Blitzies and a nice shitburger for our kiwi cousins to enjoy.
😆
@ superBul:
Dry your legs.
@ superBul:
Ek erken meyer het sy tekortkominge. Maar jy sukkel om te erken dat ons die laaste tien jaar voor meyer net sulke boring rugby gespeel het. In 2009 het pdivvy die all blacks dood geskop met die up and unxers. Dit het rocococo se loopbaan beindig.
Ons moet werk op die skillls ip provinsiale vlak nie by die springbokke nie. Mens sweer jy het superrugby helemal misgedrink.
271 @ Stormersboy:
You’re a scholar and a gentleman to agree with me so much…
OK… OK… gentleman is taking it a bit too far… hehehehe
gunther wrote:
i piss on your krom ones
@ Stormersboy:
272
you mean olivier and snyman?
😎
@ superBul:
From the way you carry on it sounds like you can’t piss without sitting down.
😆
I believe Paul Treu and Kenya have called it quits.
@ grootblousmile:
@ Stormersboy:
@270, 271 IMO Paul True did some excellent work with the Blitzbokke over time. Due to the fact that he was a player himself he could put systems in place as a coach that needed to be done.
It is also necessary to get fresh ideas as a coach. If you can’t provide it yourself you need to step aside or seek new challenge(s)
Neill Powell has lifted their game – and that is a fact. He has admitted though that he did not try to invent the wheel. He has used those things that worked and changed / adjusted things that required changing.
I agree that our defence has improved significantly.
Paul Treu’s Kenyan “adventure” has turned into a nightmare. There was a lot of resistance against his appointment (being a foreigner). Quite a few saffas were part of his management / coaching team as well. He had the backing of the president of Kenyan Rugby but apparently politicians got involved. They wanted to get rid of the President (of the rugby union) and in the process spread a lot of lies about True & co. It was reported that the players were given illegal substances etc. To top it all a lot of senior players weren’t available for this season. I guess he just got “gatvol” of all the BS.
Perhaps you guys are being too hard on Paul True IMO
281 @ charlesm:
Hehehe
Treu will fit in well with WP and the Stormers (He has joined their coaching ranks – see new article), he also likes “little fast players”….
superBul wrote:
Ek stel voor jy lees #258 weer, ek het jou glad nie aangevat nie, inteendeel stem ek half saam met jou
Sevens is ‘n goeie manier om spelers se vaardighede op te knap en hulle moet die heeltyd aanval, hulle kan nie net 10 man verdedigende rugby speel en die bal wegskop as hulle voor is nie
Voordat sevens op sy eie was het hulle nog Springbokke gebruik om die span te versterk en dink dit was goed vir beide Sevens en vyftienman rugby
Angostura wrote:
Nou onthou ek, die naam was bekend
Charo wrote:
It’s very sad, I’ll always remember Joost with that determined look in his eyes, if he had the ball 5 metres from the line he would score or die in the process
Andre Venter was the whole package, big, strong, tough, with speed like a backline player, he could break like a centre, and pass like a flyhalf
We don’t have loosies like him anymore, they’re either massive battering rams or small and fast but never all rolled in one like him with his skillset added
@ grootblousmile:
I have just read that. Fortunately he will not be the sole selector 😉
grootblousmile wrote:
Hulle kan weer ‘n bynaam hê soos wat hulle gehad het, onhou jy nog “Men in Black”?
Wat van die “Donnerse Dwergies” ?
Die “Kwaai Kabouters”?
Of “Stormer Smurfs”? 😛
@ charlesm:
The voice of reason. I would’ve said much the same thing.
Paul Treu did great work with the 7’s managing the win the 7’s series in the 2008/09 season.
Neil Powell has carried on with that work and taken it to a higher, more consistent level.
I was kind of hoping that Heyneke would’ve selected Treu as his backline coach because by then Treu had been with the blitsbokke for several seasons and was set for new challenges. The Kenyan challenge didn’t work. But you cannot disregard Treu’s work ethic and attention to detail.
@ IAAS:
Good post.
Most of what you say is Treu.
😆 😆
@ gunther:
Try again. Or Treu again. 😳
😆 😆
@ cane:
Hi Cane.Nice Avatar.Good sense of humour.
Regards Rye
@ Victoriabok:
283
jammer ek het vinnig kom komentaar lewer en die quote function (as mens die mannetjie so kan noem) het die posts verkeerd deur gegee. Ek moes jaag om gou n heerlike vrag mangoes te gaan laai vir my besigheid, en was bietjie haastig.
Ek stem saam jou, dat die skills wat wel bestaan onder sewes spelers tog bestaan in alle vorme van rugby.
Dit is maar net dat die verskeie afrigters hul wedstryd planne bou om die tipe spelers wat hul in glo. Dus sal die Springbok afrigter altyd eers kyk na n kragtige swaar groot speler voordat hy na n ratse blitsige speler kyk.
WleR was n uitsondering maar ek glo sy shine is gone want hy word gedril om groter en sterker te wees. Sal graag wil weet wat was sy gewig in sy eerste toets en wat is dit nou. Dalk is ek totaal verkeerd maar ek glo hy het gewig opgtel
Well Gunther, you called this over 6 months ago.
Care to take a stab at the winning lotto numbers this week??
😀
@ charlesm:
Maybe I am being too hard on him, but I think we could hve done better on the WP front.
May be it’s just been a long year.
Losing my perspective.
Still, you cannot dispute that the 7’s team look a few steps better under Powell.
@ Stormersboy:
😆
295 @ Stormersboy:
I also think WP could do way better, like for instance promoting John Dobson upwards.
Looks and sounds like Treu’s position is aimed to enter at a higher level than Dobson currently has and that would be stupid.
WP / Stormers will lose Dobson soon… if not to somewhere in South Africa, then to overseas.
I hear what the okes say that Treu instituted some sound structures and all, but heck man, the Blitzbokke are starting to look the real deal and look as if they could be dominating the Sevens circuit for a while, the way they are playing now.
Apart from the defence, better breakdown play and addition of the abrasiveness factor, which Neil Powell has brought in and succeeded with, I have also been pleasantly surprised and very pleased with the way Neil Powell is handling his subs during games. For instance, Kyle Brown (the captain) is not a starter, but comes on as sub when the crunch is really on in the 2nd half…. nice out of the box thinking.
@ Stormersboy:
“But I think we could have done better on the WP front” – I don’t quite get it: is that meant for the other thread ?
I have never disputed the fact that our Sevens’ side is doing better. It just seems that we forget how Paul has improved our Sevens’ game in the first place. Fortunately Neill could build and fine tune them even more. He is doing an excellent job and I rate him highly.
Lastly, Paul did not get any proper support in Kenya…….it seems that some are blaming him for their lack of performance. Graham Bentz, the conditioning coach had a contract with the SA U/20s and has done superb work with the “jong Bokkies”. If you don’t have the players at your disposal it is difficult to perform
@ grootblousmile:
I also think the subs are done perfectly. I think the only reason Brown is starting on the bench, is because he has just come back from injury.
IMO Treu will be used in the backs while Dobson is predominantly a forwards’ coach. He was the head coach and obviously gave the strategic lead in the team(s) he has coached.
We have discussed John Dobson before and WP really has to keep him……….or rather not lose him!!! He is a great thinker and intelligent coach
7’s under Paul Treu became a lot more professional under his watch. Regular camps were set-up, he had his scouts out in the field. Many of those playing under under Powell were initially recruited by Treu.
7’s under Powell has taken a step-up. Because Treu had laid a solid foundation. Treu won the world series. Powell won the Commonwealth Games. Sort of evens stevens.
I’ve always been a fan of 7’s. Whilst not everyone can change from 7’s to 15’s or vice versa, I maintain that the skills displayed in 7’s can be incorporated into the 15-man game. Particularly defence. In 7’s, there is no cover defence to speak of. You have to make your one-on-one tackles.
And there is no substitute for pace. Pace cannot be coached.
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