JOHANNESBURG - Lowly-seeded Zimbabwe faces a stern test when the second stage of the Emirates International Rugby Board Sevens World Series resumes in George, South Africa tomorrow.Liam Middletons charges are fresh from a disappointing tour of the United Arab Emirates in the first series and could not have prayed for more difficult opponents in the form of Argentina, who thumped them 21-0 in the Bowl category, the hosts, and Portugal.
The Zimbabweans open their Group D account against the South Americans tomorrow then date their southern neighbours and the Europeans later in the same day.
In the Dubai series last week, Zimbabwe finished second bottom behind New Zealand and the United States after accumulating five points from three matches, two points more than their opponents tomorrow.
While the team should gain hope in the fact that they beat Argentina in the group stages (24-14), they should plug the loopholes that saw New Zealand teach them a rugby lesson with a 59-0 defeat and the US beating them 28-12 in the Middle East.
Middleton acknowledged the tough task ahead but remained confident.
We look at those games and think they are hard teams to beat but with the talent we have got and the performances we have pulled off in previous years we have to back ourselves and that is exactly what we will do.
Meanwhile, this past weekend in Dubai, England came from behind to beat reigning World Series champions Samoa in the final of the Emirates Airline Sevens and take an early lead in the 2010/11 Sevens World Series.
Ben Ryan’s side trailed 14-12 at half time and 21-12 with three minutes remaining, but scored three tries by Simon Hunt, Dan Norton and Mat Turner to seal victory 29-21 in front of an expectant ex-pat crowd.
Earlier, Oliver Lindsay-Hague’s brace had kept them in the game in response to Samoan tries from powerhouse forward trio Simaika Mikaele, Ofisa Treviranus and Alafoti Fa’osiliva.
England now lead the early Series standings with 24 points, ahead of Samoa (20) and Cup semi finalists New Zealand and Fiji (16).
South Africa beat Australia 19-12 to claim the Plate, the star of the show Cecil Afrika, who scored all three Springbok tries reversing the 19-14 defeat suffered to Michael O’Connor’s side on day one.
Post published in: Rugby