All Blacks the team to beat in Dubai Sevens

New Zealand will once again be the team to watch in Dubai in December. The Kiwi side received a massive boost ahead of the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens with an historic victory at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi this week.

This was the New Zealand side’s fourth consecutive Commonwealth Games gold, and in reaching the top of the podium, they also maintained their unbeaten record, having not lost a match since Rugby Sevens’ introduction to the Games in 1998.

“I have been injured for three months so I am just grateful to God for blessing the boys. This is a moment I will remember for the rest of my life and I am grateful (Gordon) Tietjens had the faith to select me because I have not done much running. I have spent a lot of time on my knees praying instead,” said New Zealand’s DJ Forbes after the final.

New Zealand are defending champions in Dubai and will be looking to retain that record too when the action kicks off in December at The Sevens.

Also proving they are a real threat this season was the Australian team who claimed the silver medal in Delhi, having lost 24-17 to New Zealand.

The Australians have made massive strides in recent years - among their accolades, claiming the Plate trophy in Dubai last year.

“To win silver is an outstanding achievement and the boys played really well, I couldn’t have asked for any more and I’m extremely proud of them. I think a few of the boys showed serious credentials over the last two days which should stand them in good stead to get a call up to the national team,” said Australian coach Michael O’Connor.

Claiming the bronze medal in Delhi was South Africa, who staved off a tough challenge from England in the dramatic third place playoff, edging them out 17-14.

“The boys responded splendidly to the challenge and I am delighted for the lads. It was a tough ask of the guys after the disappointment of losing to Australia in the semifinal, but they showed real mental strength to come back from 14-5 down to shut out the game against a very good English team,” said South African coach Paul Treu.

“Now the focus for us is firmly on the IRB Sevens World Series. We have a lot of new, young guys in the team and the Commonwealth Games gave them a good chance to experience top international competition,” added Treu.

“We’re looking forward to getting to Dubai in December now. It’s been a geat tournament for us over the years having won in 2003, 2006 and 2008 - the support is always great with so many South Africans living in Dubai and hopefully we can do better this year and not let them down.”

The focus of the Sevens world has indeed shifted to Dubai where the top 16 teams in the world will be aiming to get their IRB Sevens World Series off to the best possible start at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens from December 2-4.

The teams competing in Dubai have been confirmed. They are: Arabian Gulf, Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, France, Kenya, New Zealand, Portugal, Russia, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, USA, Wales and Zimbabwe.