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EMIRATES AIRLINE DUBAI 7s 2015
FIJI came from 7-0 behind to win the opening round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, beating England 28-17 in a pulsating final at 7he Sevens Stadium in Dubai.
Tom Bowen had given Simon Amor's side an early lead but Fiji turned on the style scoring four unanswered tries to give them only their second-ever Dubai title, and first since 2013, despite a late comeback from the 2010 and 2011 Dubai champions.
HIGHLIGHTS
Ben Ryan tasted victory in Dubai for a fourth time in six years as he saw his side in scintillating form all day, beating New Zealand 19-5 with tries from Viliame Mata, Pio Tuwai and Jasa Veremalua in the semi-finals, and Australia 19-12 in their quarter-final with tries from Isake Kotanibau, captain Osea Kolinisau and Savenaca Rawaca.
The win puts Ben Ryan's side on top of the series standings with 22 points, ahead of England (19), USA (17) and New Zealand (15). South Africa won the Plate, France took the Bowl and the Shield went to Canada.
"It is an amazing feeling when you get to win a tournament, especially in Dubai in front of so many fans," said captain Kolinsau. "There's a feeling of relief in the team.
"The game of sevens is getting harder. There are no easy games ahead and we are grateful to have won here.”
The USA, who made history on day one with their first-ever win over New Zealand, showed it was no fluke with a second win in as many matches against Sir Gordon Tietjens' side in the third place play-off. Will Holder scored twice, and tries from Folau Niua, Kevin Swiryn and Perry Baker put the icing on the cake for Mike Friday.
HOUGAARD STEALS IT AT THE DEATH IN THE PLATE
South Africa stole the Plate by beating Australia 19-14 in sudden death extra time of the Plate final. Having trailed 14-0 through tries from Sam Myers and Ed Jenkins, the Blitzboks hit back to draw level through two Kwagga Smith tries, the second with the last play of normal time. Francois Hougaard then stole the headlines, darting over the try line in the corner to the delight of captain Kyle Brown and his teammates.
BOUHRAOUA BOWL TRIUMPH
Julien Candelo struck twice as France beat Scotland 24-14 to win the Bowl title on day two of the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens. The victory meant France won all three of their match on the second day of action at 7he Sevens Stadium after earlier victories over Russia and Kenya.
CANADA END DUBAI WITH THE SHIELD
John Moonlight lifted Canada's first piece of silverware of the season as his side beat Japan 19-17 in the final thanks to two tries from Admir Cejvanovic and one from Harry Jones was enough to hold off the Brave Blossoms.
DEFENDING HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series champions Fiji, South Africa and England won all three of their matches on day one in Dubai as the iconic tournament got the new series underway.
HIGHLIGHTS
POOL A
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Ben Ryan's side got off to an impressive start scoring nine converted tries through nine different scorers in their 63-14 victory over Canada in the opening match of the season, before victories over Japan and Argentina, which set the tone for an enthralling day one with lots of thrills and spills in the Dubai sunshine.
POOL B
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Reigning Dubai champions South Africa were another side in fine form with sevens player of the year Werner Kok picking up where he left off having collected his award in November with two tries in their opening win. Last year's leading try scorer Seabelo Senatla also impressed, ending the day as the top try scorer in Dubai with six tries in the Blitzboks' three victories over Russia, Samoa and Scotland.
POOL C
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But the day will be remembered for the late drama which saw Mike Friday's USA record a first-ever win over New Zealand. On the brink of heading into the Bowl after losing to France earlier on day one, the side that won the final Cup title of the last season in London created more drama at 7he Sevens Stadium.
Trailing 12-7 when the buzzer sounded Perry Baker popped up with his second of the match in the corner to draw the scores level before captain Madison Hughes stepped up to slot the conversion and knock France out in the process, with New Zealand topping Pool C.
POOL D
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England completed the top four heading into the quarter-finals, maintaining their 100 per cent record with a 21-5 victory over Australia in the 24th and final match of the day.
As the teams embarked on a new-look 10-round series heading to five new destinations in Cape Town, Sydney, Vancouver, Singapore and Paris, the opening day of the iconic Dubai Sevens did not disappoint with day two set for more fireworks as the Cup competition comes to life.
Searching for the first Cup title of the season Fiji will meet Australia in their quarter-final, USA await defending Dubai champions South Africa, New Zealand will play Samoa and England will challenge Los Pumas for a spot in the semi-finals.
Click for fixtures...
Friday at 7he Sevens Stadium was also designated Keep Rugby Clean Day and the players and management from the 16 men's and 12 women's teams on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series all wore branded t-shirts to support World Rugby's anti-doping awareness campaign.
On day one of the men's series, the 16 teams and match officials all wore black armbands in memory of Beth Coalter, World Rugby's Sevens Operations Manager who passed away last month, which they will replicate on day two for New Zealand rugby legend Jonah Lomu. There was also a minute's silence held before the annual parade of nations and climax to the women's competition to remember both Coalter and Lomu.
FRIDAY 4th DECEMBER |
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1 |
09:00 |
FIJI |
63-14 |
CANADA |
POOL A |
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2 |
09:22 |
ARGENTINA |
31-19 |
JAPAN |
POOL A |
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3 |
09:44 |
SOUTH AFRICA |
33-7 |
SAMOA |
POOL B |
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4 |
10:06 |
SCOTLAND |
17-14 |
RUSSIA |
POOL B |
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5 |
10:30 |
NEW ZEALAND |
21-14 |
FRANCE |
POOL C |
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6 |
10:52 |
USA |
45-14 |
PORTUGAL |
POOL C |
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7 |
11:14 |
ENGLAND |
26-5 |
WALES |
POOL D |
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8 |
11:36 |
AUSTRALIA |
14-12 |
KENYA |
POOL D |
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9 |
12:00 |
FIJI |
21-17 |
JAPAN |
POOL A |
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10 |
12:22 |
ARGENTINA |
19-14 |
CANADA |
POOL A |
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11 |
12:44 |
SOUTH AFRICA |
45-0 |
RUSSIA |
POOL B |
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12 |
13:06 |
SCOTLAND |
12-17 |
SAMOA |
POOL B |
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13 |
14:14 |
NEW ZEALAND |
47-5 |
PORTUGAL |
POOL C |
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14 |
14:36 |
USA |
21-26 |
FRANCE |
POOL C |
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15 |
14:58 |
ENGLAND |
19-12 |
KENYA |
POOL D |
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16 |
15:20 |
AUSTRALIA |
43-0 |
WALES |
POOL D |
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17 |
18:06 |
CANADA |
7-21 |
JAPAN |
POOL A |
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18 |
18:28 |
FIJI |
28-0 |
ARGENTINA |
POOL A |
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19 |
18:50 |
SAMOA |
19-10 |
RUSSIA |
POOL B |
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20 |
19:12 |
SOUTH AFRICA |
26-12 |
SCOTLAND |
POOL B |
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21 |
19:36 |
FRANCE |
35-7 |
PORTUGAL |
POOL C |
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22 |
19:58 |
NEW ZEALAND |
12-14 |
USA |
POOL C |
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23 |
20:20 |
WALES |
12-10 |
KENYA |
POOL D |
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24 |
20:42 |
ENGLAND |
21-5 |
AUSTRALIA |
POOL D |
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SATURDAY 5th DECEMBER |
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25 |
09:30 |
JAPAN |
12-17 |
KENYA |
BOWL QF |
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26 |
09:52 |
FRANCE |
38-5 |
RUSSIA |
BOWL QF |
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27 |
10:14 |
WALES |
24-14 |
CANADA |
BOWL QF |
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28 |
10:36 |
SCOTLAND |
21-14 |
PORTUGAL |
BOWL QF |
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29 |
11:00 |
FIJI |
19-12 |
AUSTRALIA |
CUP QF |
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30 |
11:22 |
NEW ZEALAND |
24-21 |
SAMOA |
CUP QF |
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31 |
11:44 |
ENGLAND |
14-7 |
ARGENTINA |
CUP QF |
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32 |
12:06 |
SOUTH AFRICA |
19-21 |
USA |
CUP QF |
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Shield Semi Final (33)
Japan 21 - 19 Russia
Shield Semi Final (34)
Canada 31 -14 Portugal
Bowl Semi Final (35)
Kenya 7 - 33 France
Bowl Semi Final (36)
Wales 14 - 17 Scotland
Plate Semi Final (37)
Australia 28 - 10 Samoa
Plate Semi Final (38)
Argentina 5 - 26 South Africa
Cup Semi Final (39)
Fiji 19 - 5 New Zealand
Cup Semi Final (40)
England vs USA
SHIELD FINAL
Japan 17 - 19 CANADA
BOWL FINAL
FRANCE 24 - 14 Scotland
PLATE FINAL
Australia 14 - 19 SOUTH AFRICA
THIRD PLACE
New Zealand 12 - 31 USA
CUP FINAL
FIJI 28 - 17 England
POOL A |
POOL B |
POOL C |
POOL D |
THE Dubai Sevens will open the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in what is the biggest year ever for the sport of rugby sevens.
South Africa and New Zealand are the defending champions in Dubai for the men and the women respectively, and their coaches Neil Powell and Sean Horan were both present at the official launch of the tournament on Tuesday.
It's a season that will have the road to Rio at the forefront of all conversations, with rugby sevens rapidly emerging as one of the world's most exciting Olympic sports and both series playing a key part in the Olympic countdown.
Speaking at the press conference, Gary Chapman, President, Emirates Group Services and dnata, said: "We are proud that it is today the biggest and most popular sporting event on the Dubai calendar. Just recently we were voted Dubai’s Favourite Sporting Event at the ‘What’s on Awards’ for the 12th time, which is great recognition from the fans and spectators."
Philippe Bourdarias, World Rugby General Manager for Competitions, added: “Dubai represents the start of an exciting journey for World Rugby as we get set for a massive season ahead. With the men's series expanded to 10 iconic destinations around the globe as we continue the journey towards the Olympic Games in Rio 2016, we have the opportunity to reach and inspire new audiences and all teams look forward to showcasing our sport on the greatest stage of them all.
“With HSBC reaffirming their commitment to the game as series title sponsors, and DHL also coming in as global partners, the stage is set for a fantastic few days here in Dubai and a very exciting sevens season ahead for both the men’s and women’s game.”
The final squads of 12 have been named by the 16 coaches ahead of the first round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai.
With the men's tournament starting on 4 December at 7he Sevens Stadium all 16 teams will be looking to get their campaign off to a strong start in the first of 10 rounds this season, with one eye on the end of the season and the sport's debut at the Olympic Games.
Defending Dubai champions South Africa have named a familiar squad with Kyle Brown captaining a side that includes the sevens player of the year Werner Kok, and nominee Seabelo Senatla while Francois Hougaard also comes in. Another Springbok Juan de Jongh is named by his former captain in sevens, and now coach, Neil Powell.
Elsewhere series champions Fiji have one debutant in Sevuloni Mocenacagi as Ben Ryan includes many familiar names from the winning champions including Jerry Tuwai, Savenaca Rawaca, Isake Kotanibau and captain Osea Kolinisau.
Canada are the most experienced side with Phil Mack returning to add 45 tournaments' worth of experience, while the series' new core team Russia have seven players with experience including Vladimir Ostroushko and Yury Gostyuzhev each having played in 18 previous tournaments. Wales are the least experienced side with just 50 caps between their 12 players, and Sam Cross with 18 of those.
