IRB Sevens- a frantic day 1 in San Diego

Day 1 is all done and dusted in San Diego and again some big teams have fallen in an entertaining exhibition of positive rugby.

As the sun faded and high-rise city lights took over the sky teams will be reflecting on the day. Teams like Kenya, Samoa, USA & Fiji will be smiling, the likes of NZ, Australia and England will be a tad disappointed with the day at the office. Most still make the quarterfinals tomorrow, but the momentum and confidence is always with the winners on day 1.

The home team USA had a blinder of a day, starting off they narrowly lost by 1 point to South Africa and then ended the day in style beating the Aussies. Another Oceania team had their Valentines ruined by Kenya, for the 2nd weekend in a row they were giant killers and handed NZ a hefty defeat, this pleased the crowd & cheers were like drums in the stands.

The good news for our men was that Samoa and Fiji look well lubed for performance tomorrow. Reality is though that day one is merely a warm up. In this competition any of the top 8 can get the others and they will all be very aware of this fact. If they forget this, as teams did in Wellington, they are sure to fall.

Samoa continued to build and held on strongly against England to record a tight win and top their pool. This will be pleasing, but the fact that they are hitting rhythm, being patient and showing extreme gas will be more satisfying. You don’t have to be the sharpest pencil to see the link to Uale Mai and the resurgence to winning ways again. This guy just looks so in control.

Fiji really looked good today; the big men ran well, held the ball in tackles and stayed focused to lay the ball back for their mates coming to help. In Wellington they didn’t look after the pill, today they gave the ball the respect it deserves in this game ands kept it in hand.

In a rough wrap of the teams and their mood today, NZ look a tad rusty, they are lacking size and when the chance to run comes along they are hesitant in taking it. Zar Lawrence is playing superbly, but he is in the engine room a lot doing what DJ Forbes would be taking care of, this leaves less fire power out wide & maybe tomorrow the men can relax and trust their instincts to run like they can.

Samoa & Fiji are both looking ready on day 1. Last week they both lacked urgency; today they have found it and really want the action with the ball under their arm. They both have tough quarterfinals, but hey if you want to win an IRB Sevens title you have to earn it. Tomorrow they have this chance and lets see who grabs it best.

Tomorrows quarters are:

South Africa vs NZ

Fiji vs England

Samoa vs Argentina

Kenya vs USA