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Preview: IRB Sevens, England

Friday 23rd May 2008

New Zealand Sevens: Celebrating by the semi-finals?

New Zealand set out to defend their Emirates Airline London Sevens at the weekend in the knowledge that, should they do so, they will also tie up a World Series defence with one event to spare. They need only reach the semi-final - it's pretty much a given!

At the end of March, Gordon Tietjens' side won a first Hong Kong title since 2001. They looked simply unbeatable and in doing so they stretched their record run of matches unbeaten to an incredible 42.

In Adelaide a week later, though, it was a different Kiwi side. Less than convincing against Argentina and Tonga, they eventually lost in the final against South Africa, the run ending at 47 wins. Coach Gordon Tietjens admitted that his side had struggled with the inevitable pressure built up by so many matches unbeaten, had started playing not to lose rather than to win.

The Kiwis have a relatively easy pool, with only Argentina looking like a tricky team to overcome. Wales could be dark horses of the pool - the clash with Argentin will be pivotal.

Pool B pits South Africa against hosts England in what could be a fascinating match. England have been hugely disappointing in the series thus far, but the home crowd will surely motivate them against the only team to have beaten the Kiwis in this series. France could prove an awkward obstacle for both, but Spain will surely be the whipping boys.

In Pool C, Fiji and Australia will be the teams vying for pole position and an easier quarter-final spot, with Canada and the unpredictable Portuguese making up the numbers.

Pool D will see Kenya continue their emergence into Sevens superiority with a tricky match-up against Samoa, while Scotland and russia will be battling it out for plate qualification.

Pools:

Pool A: New Zealand, Wales, Argentina, Moldova
Pool B: South Africa, England, France, Spain
Pool C: Fiji, Australia, Canada, Portugal
Pool D: Samoa, Kenya, Russia, Scotland

Fixtures:
(Kick-off is local time - GMT +1 hour)

Day 1 - May 24:
Match 1: New Zealand v Argentina, 09.00
Match 2: Wales v Moldova, 09.22
Match 3: Fiji v Canada, 09.44
Match 4: Australia v Portugal, 10.06
Match 5: Samoa v Russia, 10.28
Match 6: Kenya v Scotland, 10.50
Match 7: South Africa v France, 11.12
Match 8: England v Spain, 11.34
Match 9: New Zealand v Moldova, 12.06
Match 10: Wales v Argentina, 12.28
Match 11: Fiji v Portugal, 12.50
Match 12: Australia v Canada, 13.12
Match 13: Samoa v Scotland, 13.34
Match 14: Kenya v Russia, 13.56
Match 15: South Africa v Spain, 14.18
Match 16: England v France, 14.40
Match 17: Argentina v Moldova, 15.24
Match 18: Canada v Portugal, 15.46
Match 19: Russia v Scotland, 16.08
Match 20: France v Spain, 16.30
Match 21: New Zealand v Wales, 16.52
Match 22: Fiji v Australia, 17.14
Match 23: Samoa v Kenya, 17.36
Match 24: South Africa v England, 17.58