We bring you the views from day one of the Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens, the second event of the 2007/08 IRB Sevens World Series.
Gordon Tietjens, New Zealand coach
“I felt we got a wake up call this morning against Kenya, in the first couple of minutes we started well but we didn’t put any points on the board and Kenya are a very difficult side when they get their confidence up, so after that game – even though we won 19-0 – we were very disappointed.
“I played a couple of new players there [against England] who hadn’t played at that level before and I needed to find out what they were all about and whether they could match it and that is an experience they won’t forget and they will grow with that experience as well.”
Al Caravelli, USA coach
“They are the reigning World Series champions, we are huge underdogs, we have nothing to lose and we will go out there and give it our all like they do in every single game … We think we have a pretty formidable game plan against New Zealand, now we will have to play perfectly to even come close to them, but it is good to always challenge yourself.”
Paul Treu, South Africa coach
“We always set a target for ourselves to top our pool. We have done that, but I think I am more happy with the fact that we didn’t concede any tries except for the penalty try that was awarded in our first game. I am happy with the guys' performance.
“It is amazing support, the people come here to support the team and if it wasn’t for them I know that the players wouldn’t have been able to give the performance that they gave and I just hope we will have similar support tomorrow.”
Andy Vilk, England captain
“I said the same thing last week when we lost to Fiji, it is devastating. We rose our game from the Kenya game and stepped up to another level against New Zealand. It’s a team we haven’t beaten in five years and the boys really got that into their heads and full credit we went out there and gave everything we had. It just didn’t work today.”
Israel Dagg, New Zealand player
“It was pretty tough out there [against England], but to come away with that win after all that hard work was pretty good and I'm just looking forward to tomorrow. The team played well and that last match just shows how much depth we have got and how much power and belief in each other we have.”
Stephen Gemmell, Scotland coach
“We set out to get in the quarter-finals. The players had set the target of winning all three, simply because of how we had played against Samoa last weekend, but they have come back really, really well.
“It was a massive disappointment first up game, we under performed, didn’t play particularly well, and then to turn over Australia is a massive achievement for this young squad … We are delighted to have got a quarter-final in Dubai and another one here.”
Todd Clever, USA player
“I feel fantastic, almost speechless. Everybody is really, really excited and the team really stuck it in and played pretty smart in the second half [against Canada], but we are just absolutely thrilled.
“Hopefully we are improving and it shows everybody that we are an improving side and all we need is more time together. We have the dedication and now it just seems like it is coming together, it is just really exciting.”
