HSBC SVNS Off To A Flying Start In Dubai

 

The HSBC SVNS got off to an electric start on a day of historic firsts in Dubai to kick off a new era for rugby sevens in thrilling style. The opening day of the Emirates Dubai 7s saw some sensational rugby sevens played in front of a vibrant festival atmosphere as the best 12 men’s and women’s teams in the world showcased their speed, skill and talent to entertain a packed Sevens Stadium.

In the women’s competition Australia, France and reigning series champions New Zealand each claimed a hat-trick of victories to top their pools.

The men’s event saw seven of last season’s top eight qualify for the quarter-finals with only South Africa and Argentina recording three wins on day one. In a repeat of the recent Rugby World Cup final, the Blitzboks overcame the All Blacks Sevens in a scintillating final match of the day to top pool A.

With the reimagined competition format removing draws from the pool phase this season, for the first time in the HSBC SVNS, a pool game went to sudden death as Canada women beat USA. Carissa Norsten’s history-making golden-point try in overtime sparked jubilant celebrations by a team who beat their North American rivals just once in six series games last season.

Meanwhile, South Africa women, who were promoted from the Challenger, became the first team to claim the newly introduced losing bonus point for teams who are defeated by seven points or less as they were unlucky to lose 19-14 to New Zealand thanks to a last-minute try from captain Sarah Hirini.

Brazil took advantage of the new losing bonus-point system to qualify for the quarter-finals as one of the two best third-placed teams, where they will face the all-conquering New Zealand.

In the other women’s quarter-finals France will face Fiji, Ireland meet Canada and USA line-up against Australia, who are looking to retain the Dubai title they won last year.

Australia captain Charlotte Caslick said of team-mate Maddison Levi who leads the try-scoring charts with seven tries on day one: “We have to defend her all the time in training and it’s no easy task, that for sure. She’s fast but also so strong and powerful, so if she doesn’t go round you, she goes through you.”

France’s Caroline Drouin was pleased with their day’s work: “We are very happy. It was a great day with three wins. It wasn’t an easy group but we’ve got to do better tomorrow.”

The men’s tournament which has been reduced from 16 to 12 teams this season was intensely competitive from start to finish and set up a mouth-watering set of quarter-finals on Sunday.

Reigning Dubai champions South Africa will face Australia while impressive Ireland will take on double Olympic champions Fiji. Current series title holders New Zealand will play USA and Samoa v Argentina completes the line-up.

Australia men’s captain Nick Malouf is looking forward to tomorrow: “Doing what we’d spoken about for the first time today was the most pleasing thing. Tomorrow’s a whole new day so we’ll put our best foot forward.”

USA Head Coach Mike Friday said: “We left four of our senior players at home in pre-season but the young men embraced the opportunity today.”

The action in Dubai continues from 07:30 (SA Time) on Sunday beginning with the women’s quarter-finals. The event concludes on Sunday evening when the podium positions will be decided with the women’s final at 17:13 (SA Time), followed by the men’s final at 17:53 (SA Time).