Boks Sevens to build on Las Vegas form in Hong Kong
Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu believes that the confidence gained by his young players following their success at the USA Sevens which saw them claim their first Cup trophy of the season will hold them in good stead as they prepare for the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens which takes place from 25 – March 2011.
The Boks Sevens have been grouped in Pool E with Wales, Spain and hosts Hong Kong after the draw for the Hong Kong event was announced earlier this week. The Hong Kong Sevens is the only 24-team tournament on the HSBC Sevens World Series calendar, and as a result this event carries extra points for the successful teams, with 30 points awarded to the Cup champions rather than the usual 24.
“Our aim will obviously be to win the tournament as we have never won the Cup trophy in Hong Kong, but our main objectives will be to keep learning and growing as a team,” said Treu.
“The success from the USA Sevens tournament showed the squad that they can win tournaments. We are looking for consistency at this stage and it’s going to be important to see how our younger players adapt at maintaining the kind of intensity that was shown in Las Vegas.
“We are going to continue to give the younger players an opportunity in Hong Kong. I believe our youngsters who have been competing in the previous four tournaments have passed the test and its going to be important that we build on this momentum going into our next challenge.”
Former SA Under-20 winger Sibusiso Sithole and flanker Lubabalo Mthembu; as well as utility back Paul Jordaan who represented the Free State Cheetahs at the 2010 Coca-Cola U18 Craven Week have impressed the Bok Sevens coach, as have Mark Richards and Boom Prinsloo who both represented their provinces at Under-21 level last year.
Joint HSBC Sevens World Series leaders New Zealand and England top Pools A and B respectively. New Zealand will face France, Portugal and Korea, while England will play USA, Japan and China.
New Zealand and England share top spot in the overall log standings with 80 points. Fiji and defending Hong Kong and series champions Samoa are joint third (64) while the Bok Sevens are in fifth position on 56 points.
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