World Cup Sevens: Review and Results, Day One

A colourful day kicked off the World Cup Sevens, with an opening ceremony of sorts, and even a couple of upsets to match.

There were no major boilovers, with the favourites all opening their accounts with some ease.

England and New Zealand both looked very impressive, posting beyond 40 points, and their marquee players, in Tom Varndell and Victor Vito looking very imposing.

Still, for all the pomp and ceremony, one feels that despite Dubai having a purpose-built stadium, and having already been road tested by having an IRB sevens leg hosted there, there is something missing.

While the crowd and action looked good, it is a location hardly befitting a World Cup, irrespective of the rugby format. In a year where rugby has submitted an application to gain entry into the Olympics, one feels that they should have had it at a grander location.

Pool A (New Zealand, Tonga, Arabian Gulf, Italy)

Viliame Waqaseduadua—who scored two tries—and the New Zealanders looked impressive. Despite entering the competition as top seeds, there still exists some doubt over the 2001 champions. However, against an Italian team more interested in making the play messy, it was a composed performance.

Results

Tonga 19-0 Arabian Gulf
New Zealand 42-0 Italy

Pool B (Fiji, France, United States, Georgia)

USA came to the tournament with so many expectations, but with Todd Clever being sinbinned for a silly punch, they will begin the second day on the back foot after a loss to France.

Defending champions Fiji opened their account over Georgia, but did not produce the performance one of the top seeds would wish to unveil in their opening match.

Results

France 26-17 US
Fiji 26-10 Georgia

Pool C (South Africa, Scotland, Canada, Japan)

South Africa, one of the favourites for the championship, opened their account easily taking care of the always-industrious Japanese.

However, Canada’s defeat of Scotland was probably the statement of the day, with their performance backing up the big words uttered by the squad heading into the tournament.

Results

Scotland 14-33 Canada S
South Africa 26-5 Japan

Pool D (Samoa, Australia, Portugal, Ireland)

Samoa showed their power and class with a thumping victory over the Irish, who were showed up with not having a thorough and developed match preparation.

Australia looked solid, but while never looking challenged against Portugal, one feels that this young Wallaby team will not have the firepower to challenge the best side.

Results

Australia 24-12 Portugal
Samoa 35-5 Ireland

Pool E (England, Kenya, Tunisia, Hong Kong)

A three try haul by Collins Injera saw Kenya come from behind to win against Tunisia after falling behind early.

England looked impressive, surely the most evolved Sevens team of recent years. While they looked scratchy in the first half, when England test player Tom Varndell came on, they looked a different team. Hong Kong showed enterprise, but were never going to challenge a team that will fancy its chances for a second world cup.

Results

Kenya 29-7 Tunisia
England 42-5 Hong Kong

Pool F (Argentina, Wales, Zimbabwe, Uruguay)

Wales looked impressive, all the more so for the fact that they came into the competition flying under the proverbial radar. Argentina looked solid, being challenged all the way by a good performance by Uruguay.

Results

Wales 31-5 Zimbabwe
Argentina 19-7 Uruguay