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 TEIVOVO.COM – INTERNATIONAL 7s
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Friday 9 February 2007
Fiji look for rebound in San Diego
By William Tabuya
The Digicel Fiji 7s side have been pooled with Argentina, Scotland and West Indies in San Diego as they continue to hunt for their first 2006-07 IRB 7s Series win.
Waisale Serevi and his men, who have fallen short of a win three times, have reinforced their amour with another Serevi.
The name itself, though, should be the least of every team’s worries. Standing at a whopping 1m98, Semisi Serevi is a 120kg running forward who possesses quality ball skills and aggressive aerial attributes.
Serevi has been called up as cover for robust skipper Semisi Naevo who suffered a rib injury during last weekend’s tense Wellington final.
Dubai tournament winners South Africa head Pool B with Uale Mai’s Samoa, Portugal and Tonga. Though South Africa are currently second on the IRB Series standings with 48 points, they miss their strike-weapon and influential skipper Steffan Basson who departed for the Super 14 following the George 7s.
The Samoans look promising after Ofisa Treviranus and young Mikaele Pesamino led them to their first IRB 7s tournament win last weekend. The South Sea islanders could yet again prove to be the toast at ETCO Park after the two days of non-stop international rugby action.
Simon Amour and his England side are front-runners in Pool C alongside the ever-improving Kenyans, Australia and USA. The Kenyans will be a team to watch in San Diego after defeating Argentina and Tonga in pool play before falling 26-21 to eventual winners Samoa during the Cup quarterfinals last weekend.
George 7s winners and injury-stricken New Zealand side top Pool D with the likes of France, Canada and Chile. Gordon Tietjens’ side suffered the worst blow on their home turf with key players Zar Lawrence and DJ Forbes hitting the injury list.
However, Lote Raikabula is still a force to reckon with and could be the one to lead the Kiwi’s recovery after their 31-0 drubbing from Fiji at the Cake Tin.
IRB San Diego 7s tournament pools:
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Pool A
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Pool B
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Pool C
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Pool D
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Fiji
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South Africa
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England
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New Zealand
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Argentina
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Samoa
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Australia
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France
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Scotland
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Portugal
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Kenya
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Canada
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West Indies
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Tonga
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USA
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Chile
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