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Ireland Sevens off to a flyer at Dubai SVNS
By Ian Cameron
Both Ireland’s men’s and women’s teams are off to a fast start at the HSBC SVNS in Dubai, the first leg of the revamped HSBC SVNS circuit.
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Ireland Men registered a 19-12 win over Australia. The Aussie’s Matthew Gonzalez scored first, with Ireland hitting back through Zac Ward, who registered Ireland’s first points of the tournament with a 5-pointer with three minutes on the clock. Ireland would score the next two tries, with Terry Kenedy and Jordan Conroy crossing the whitewash, both converted by Billy Dardis.
Australia struck back through Henry Palmer, but it was too little, too late.
Ireland Women also won their first game of the Dubai SVNS, recording a comfortable 37-7 victory over Japan. Beibhinn Parsons and Eve Higgins both scored two tries a piece, with Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe getting over the line.
France Men hammered Great Britain 35-o, while both Fiji’s men and women’s sides recorded wins against the USA and Great Britain respectively.
The Black Fern 7s survived a scare against the Springboks Women’s team, who have just returned to the top tier of Sevens; a late try from Sarah Hirini sealing a 19-14 escape for the reigning world champions.
The All Blacks Sevens also just about avoided a loss, this time again against Canada. A late try from Scott Curry was enough to see out a 26-21 win.
USA Women’s side thrashed Spain 27-0, while France Women also made light work of Canada, dishing out a 29-0 thumping to open their account. They were equally impressive against Spain, dismissing them 28-7.
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Argentina Men beat Spain 26-12, while the Blitz Boks beat Samoa 22-14 in a tight affair.
Canada Women bounced back from their opening loss to France against old foes the USA, recording a 15-10 win with the first-ever extra time Golden Point in pool play history.
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The writer here ignores the fact that, following on from not taking the penalty kick, the All Blacks did manage to score a try a few minutes later. Not directly from the penalty awarded, but it is speculation to say that had they opted to take the koi they would have won. Even if they kicked it, which was no guarantee, they would still be trailing and would have had to start again at half-way.
Go to commentsI would be surprised if Sales Opoku Fordjour and Northampton’s Tommy Freeman are not in the team, Anthony Watson is also one that could go on the wing. One thing I must say is that the front 3 will get destroyed against a team like South Africa.
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