DUBAI: The second day of the Dubai Sevens opened with a masterful display of power rugby from the Fijians who dominated an unusually less aggressive Scotland and ran in a 47-5 win.
Two tries and one conversion ahead in the first three and a half minutes of the game affected Scotland’s confidence — but they rallied after a third Fiji try and conversion to touch down for five points. The second half saw one more try from the Scots but Fiji’s superior tackling and strike rate produced four more converted tries to demoralize their opponents.
It was the same tale of superior firepower in all areas in the Samoa clash with Zimbabwe. Both Pacific Island teams, noted for their hard tackling and agility, showed tremendous form, and the Samoans humbled Zimbabwe 40-5.
England’s campaign opened with a comfortable canter against a reformed US team. Three converted tries in the first half followed up by three tries and two conversions in the second put the US securely in its slot
However, later in the day, the US took on the formidable Kenyan team and nearly effected a severe upset in the tournament. They ran in and converted three tries in under four minutes, knocking the very surprised Kenyans onto their back feet. Nearly two minutes into extra time in the first half Kenya replied with the second of two converted tries to trail 21-14.
During the interval some very agitated discussion took place in the Kenyan camp and within 30 seconds of the restart, they went over for a try, later converted. Both scored two tries in the second half leaving them at 26 each when the final siren went. Keeping the ball in play, both sides tore into each other to gain an advantage and finally, nearly two minutes after time the Kenyans scored in the corner and ended 31-26 winners.
New on the rugby scene, the US gained respect with their feisty performances over the last two years, but the word to the wise among the spectators is: The US is coming. Friday’s performance demonstrated commitment and strength, lacking only some of the more refined tactical skills.
Day two also saw the start of Jeddah’s skeleton team taking on its assignments. Short of six very experienced players from their squad, their task was ever Herculean but they addressed it with verve. New together, their first performance against Riyadh was below par, but they managed to scramble 14 points against Riyadh’s 22.
The message was much the same against the Hurricanes when effort was not enough.
It was in their encounter in their third game that the need for experienced referees able to maintain discipline and authority became of paramount importance. Seeking to snatch one win from their visit to the Emirates, Jeddah ploughed into Bahrain with gusto. Always going to be very physical — Bahrain was determined to sink Jeddah — the game saw some play that was quite over the top, and at one point fights broke out in at least two points on the field.
Jeddah collected two yellow cards — one for a shoulder charge and one for a dubious call of “lifting the foot.”
The final score — 24-10 to Bahrain was almost immaterial given the fierceness of the game.
Mathematically, Jeddah could survive into the next round. The team, somewhat demoralized all round, have accepted that they did the best with what they had. It is all anyone can ask.
A dozing England got a nasty wake-up call just 51 seconds into their evening match with Kenya. Colin Injera steamed majestically past the England defense to score a worthy try. However, England recovered and treated Kenya to retribution 27-10.
Some glittering and jinking pace from Nicolas Bruzzone and Hernan Olivari through the All Blacks defense was rewarded with a pair of unconverted tries, but New Zealand stepped on the gas and put their speed and weight to good use, defeating Argentine 38-10 six tries, four converted to clinch the game 38-10.
In the final match of the day, South Africa roundly trounced Australia 29-0 with five tries and two conversions. The Antipodeans never really got started as the sheer energy and ball-handling skills of the Springboks overwhelmed every move. Talk at the pitch-side during the wind-down for the evening was of another England-South Africa final. But no one is betting on that scenario. The fluidity of the game or a single intercepted pass could change all that!
