Adelaide 7's - Day 1 Results and updates.

[travelling_gerry]

8 03-04-2009 20:04 England 17 - 21 Australia AUS Pool A
7 03-04-2009 19:42 Samoa 26 - 5 Portugal AUS Pool A
6 03-04-2009 19:20 Argentina 14 - 7 France AUS Pool B
5 03-04-2009 18:58 Fiji 33 - 7 Scotland AUS Pool B
4 03-04-2009 18:36 New Zealand 24 - 10 Wales AUS Pool C
3 03-04-2009 18:14 USA 17 - 14 Tonga AUS Pool C
2 03-04-2009 17:52 South Africa 28 - 7 Cook Islands AUS Pool D
1 03-04-2009 17:30 Kenya 12 - 5 Japan AUS Pool D

[travelling_gerry]

Australia off to a flyer in Adelaide
(IRB.COM) Friday 3 April 2009

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Eighteen-year-old Domonic Shipperley set Australia on their way with the first try against EnglandAustralia started their home Adelaide Sevens tournament in ideal fashion by beating staunch sporting rivals England at the end of day one.

For the first time, the Australian leg of the IRB Sevens World Series kicked off with eight matches on Friday night and there were also wins for Series leaders and defending Adelaide champions South Africa, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa, Argentina, Kenya and USA, who scored at the death to deny Tonga.

- ADELAIDE MATCH RESULTS >>
- ADELAIDE AUDIO >>
- ADELAIDE POOL STANDINGS >>
- WORLD SERIES STANDINGS >>

"We got a dream start and that's a very good England side, which they showed when they were 14-0 down - they came back and nearly took the game from us and fortunately for us we stole it right at the end," said Australia Sevens coach Michael O'Connor, who is in charge of a new young side this season.

"Young Luke Morahan is on the verge of Super 14 because of what he has achieved in Sevens, the national team coach is here looking at him and it means a lot.

"We've got four players that are under 20, a couple of 18 year olds, it augurs well. We started afresh this year with only two players who had played IRB Sevens rugby before and I think the key now is to try and keep the nucleus of that group that we've got this year because they've gained an incredible amount of experience, learned the hard way in a lot of instances but it's starting to show dividends now."

If Australia are to follow up this opening success and reach the Cup quarter finals they will have to beat Samoa or Portugal on day two, both fine Sevens teams.

"I don't think we've beaten Samoa for years, they are very good sides so while I'm excited and happy for the guys I know that we've got to really focus for tomorrow."


With three events still to play - Adelaide, London and Edinburgh - South Africa currently lead the way in the World Series with 84 points, 16 clear of England (68) with Fiji (62), New Zealand (60) and Argentina (56) all in contention. There have already been four different Cup title winners this season, from four different continents.

Pool A

Australia's youngsters won a superb victory against the second-ranked team in the World Series England, 21-17. The Australians were quickly off the mark with tries by two 18-year-olds, Domonic Shipperley and the outstanding Luke Morahan, and led 14-0 but England hit back through Tom Varndell and Ollie Phillips to trail by just two points at the half. The England captain Phillips scored again after the break, latching onto Dan Caprice's fine off-load to put his side into the lead, but Richard Kingi set up Shaun Foley for the winning score to send the home crowd into delirium.


Earlier, Samoa scored four second-half tries to come from behind and beat a fine Portuguese performance, 26-5. Diogo Mateus scored first for Portugal and they led 5-0 at the break but the Samoans hit back with four in the second half through Afioa'e Maieva, Lolo Lui, Uale Mai and Alafoti Fa'osiliva.


Pool B


Nasoni Roko and Niumaia Rokobuli both scored two tries as Hong Kong champions Fiji came back from an early one-try deficit to run out 33-7 winners against Scotland. Scott Forrest put the Scots ahead after a minute but the islanders hit back strongly, Orisi Saureki's try rounding off the scoring.

Argentina beat France 14-7 with the final play of the match to cap a game of breathless intensity. The Pumas led 7-0 at the break through Martin Rodriguez's first try but Anthony Poujol levelled for the French and the match seemed destined to finish a draw before Rodriguez crossed for his brace in the dying seconds.


Pool C

New Zealand and USA both opened with victories in Pool C. The Kiwis led 14-0 at half time after tries by Ben Souness and Zar Lawrence but Wales hit back through Will Harries. Julien Savea rounded a off a fine move to extend the NZ lead and Tim Mikkelson put the outcome beyond doubt before a final consolation for Jimmy Norris.

USA captain Kevin Swiryn scored a try with the final play of the match to clinch victory for the Eagles against Tonga, 17-14. Matt Hawkins and Justin Boyd clawed back Tonga's lead earned through Vaea Poteki's two tries before Swiryn cut through some lacklustre Tongan defence to win the match in the final flourish.

Pool D

Kenya and Series leaders South Africa both got off to winning starts in Pool D. Brothers Collins Injera and Humphrey Kayange touched down in either half for the Kenyans as they ran out 12-5 winners against brave Japan in the opening match of the tournament. Tongan-born player Alisi Tupuailei scored late on for the Asian side.

Robert Ebersohn then scored two first half tries for South Africa, back on the ground where he helped the Boks to Cup success last year, to inspire them to a 28-7 victory in their opening match against the Cook Islands. Renfred Dazel and Vuyo Zangqa scored their other tries, while Adam Vardey touched down for the islanders' fine score.

The season so far..

Dubai, UAE - South Africa champions, beat England
George, South Africa - South Africa champions, beat New Zealand
Wellington, NZ - England champions, beat New Zealand
San Diego, USA - Argentina champions, beat England
Hong Kong - Fiji champions, beat South Africa

http://www.irb.com/irbsevens/edition...flyer+adelaide

[Burgs]

Great match by the Australians, they were obviously extremely focused and one can only imagine that would have to have something to do with their long term past Captain being layed up in Durban.

Samoa and Portugal to go, so in a fairly good position for Sunday now.

Goodluck today Brocky and Dane, no doubt will be getting a run at some stage

[travelling_gerry]

Hosts Australia have beaten Samoa for the first time in four years as well as Portugal and England to qualify for the Cup quarter finals top of Pool A at the Adelaide International Sevens tournament, the sixth event on the IRB Sevens World Series.

New Zealand and South Africa were also impressive in beating Tonga and Japan, while England and Wales recovered from opening day losses to beat Portugal and USA.

- ADELAIDE MATCH RESULTS >>
- ADELAIDE AUDIO >>
- ADELAIDE POOL STANDINGS >>
- WORLD SERIES STANDINGS >>


http://www.irb.com/irbsevens/edition...ens+day+latest

[James]

Richard Kingi is an interesting prospect. He played behind Quade Cooper at the last JWC I think. Bubbling away under the radar.

[blueandblack]

Australia unbeaten in their pool. Will Brock and DHP came on in the second half of the Aust v Portugal match. Brock helped stop a certain try. Awesome pressure!

[mckenzikenya]

kenya were superb comin clean in their pool beating s.a by a point.me thinks kenya will take this series.cant wait

[KenyaQuin]

kenya were superb comin clean in their pool beating s.a by a point.me thinks kenya will take this series.cant wait

Yeah, what McKenya said.

[TOCC]

Richard Kingi is an interesting prospect. He played behind Quade Cooper at the last JWC I think. Bubbling away under the radar.

well he might be reserve halfback for the reds this weekend