Dubai Pool D profile: RSA, SAM, ARG, RUS
We run the rule over the four men’s teams in Pool D at the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens, South Africa, Samoa, Argentina and Russia, including thoughts and predictions from broadcaster, Nigel Starmer-Smith.
South Africa
Coach: Neil Powell
Last 10 games: WLLLWWWWLL
Gold Coast 2013: 4th
2013/14 position (after 1 round): 4
Best in Dubai (since ’99): Champions 2003, 2006, 2008
Dubai 2012: Bowl runners-up
2012/13 Series: 2nd
The verdict, by Nigel Starmer-Smith: It was four years ago that the Springboks last won in Dubai, in stark contrast to last year when they fell in the Bowl final to Argentina. But even with the loss of Cornal Hendricks to 15s, this is a talented squad with pace to burn in the likes of Kolbe, Mastriet, Kok, Ulengo and Geduld – promise certainly for the future – while the team can also count on the experience of world players like Cecil Afrika, Frankie Horne, Kyle Brown and Chris Dry. Really showed their class in Gold Coast until fatigue caught up with them in the bronze final against England after that epic semi against Australia.
Prediction: Would be no surprise to see them in the Cup Final.
Samoa
Coach: Viliamu Punivalu
Last 10 games: LLLLLWWLLL
Gold Coast 2013: Cup quarter finals
2013/14 position (after 1 round): 7
Best in Dubai (since ’99): Winners 2012
Dubai 2012: Champions
2012/13 Series: 4th
The verdict, by Nigel Starmer-Smith: Another new coach in Viliamu Punivalu and gone, too, some great players in Uale Mai, Lolo Lui and Alafoti Fa’osiliva, but they weren’t here last year when they went on to win the Cup Final, beating New Zealand 26-15. Kicked off modestly on the Gold Coast but with four debutants, and I sense that there is promise ahead.
Prediction: Somewhere around about the Plate.
Argentina
Coach: santiago Gomez Cora
Last 10 games: WLWLLLLWWL
Gold Coast 2013: Bowl semi finals
2013/14 position (after 1 round): 11
Best in Dubai (since ’99): Cup semis 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
Dubai 2012: Bowl winners
2012/13 Series: 10th
The verdict, by Nigel Starmer-Smith: New coach Santiago Gomez Cora retains only six of the squad from the Gold Coast where they lost their Bowl semi-final to France. Fairly inexperienced, but with only one entirely new player, 19-year-old Santiago Alvarez. Matias Moroni comes in following the Puma tour, which wound up in Italy at the weekend.
Prediction: Plate/Bowl tier
Russia
Coach: Aleksandr Alexeenko
Last 10 games: LLLLLLLLWL
Gold Coast 2013: Shield winners
2013/14 position (after 1 round): 13
Best in Dubai (since ’99): Bowl semi 2010
Dubai 2012: Shield semi final
2012/13 Series: 17th
The verdict, by Nigel Starmer-Smith: Russia are the one non-core team here for Dubai and with lots of their players involved in the test match at the weekend against USA they are leaving their squad selection right until the last minute – never a good sign. Vladimir Ostroushko is there, though, who has been a strong player for them in both 15s and Sevens.
Prediction: In the present company and with squad selection issues, will do well to get up above the Shield.
Courtesy of IRG
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