Saturday 7th April 2007
England 20
Fiji 12
It was a display full of passion, determination and down right grit as England put on their best performance in recent tournaments to beat world champions Fiji and top their pool in the IRB Australia Sevens. England now face Kenya in tomorrow’s quarter finals.
Defeat against Fiji would have put England out of the cup, following their early loss to Tonga, and into the bowl competition for the first time since 2001 – something no player wanted to contemplate.
England got off to a firing start with a try by England Under 20s captain Danny Care within 30 seconds of kick off. Helped set up by Charlie Amesbury and Andy Vilk, Care touched down between the posts to give England an early 7 0 lead.
Fiji attacked well but England defended just as well. Unlike in their first match against Tonga, England seemed in control and executed their game plan. Several times England got the ball away from the Fijian try line in a bid to get themselves out of jail. A great break by 20 year old Amesbury – who turns 21 tomorrow – summed up England’s determination in this game as he pushed his way over the line despite the Fijian defence.
Another gritty attacking spell by Vilk and Amesbury helped 18 year old Northampton Saints centre John Brake score his first of the tournament, and England’s third.
England led 19 0 at the break but knew that Fiji would come back fighting.
And fight back they did. Fiji’s young star William Ryder managed to score Fiji’s first try despite a last gasp tackle by Amesbury. Within the minute Saukawa had made it two for Fiji but England refused to panic.
At 17 12 with just over a minute to go England were like a dog with a bone and became even more determined not to let the victory slip away. A dangerous tackle on Amesbury by Volavola meant he was sin binned and England were awarded a penalty goal. Captain Amor stepped up and successfully kicked the goal. The hooter sounded and it was too late for Fiji as England had won and topped their pool, escaping the bowl competition and entertaining the crowd.
England face Kenya tomorrow in the quarter finals at 12.06pm local / 3.34am BST.
Speaking after the match England Sevens Coach Ben Ryan was proud of his team’s performance, “That first half in particular was excellent and I am very pleased with the way they all stepped up. The first half was a pretty flawless display of rugby.
“The lads showed a lot of heart in that match. It was real backs against the wall time and none of them wanted to be the first players in six years to not qualify for the Cup. Now we can actually look forward to tomorrow with a bounce in our step although we must not get carried away. That result tonight was based on sheer hard work and intelligent play. That was the biggest step forward we have taken as England Sevens this season. For these youngsters to play in such an important game against Fiji who are leading the IRB Sevens series and world champions will be invaluable experience. And more importantly they really enjoyed the feeling of playing like that.
“Before the match I said to them that this was a huge opportunity to prove not just to me but everyone back in England that they have what it takes, and that was a massive test which they passed.”
Captain Simon Amor said, “I have never experienced quite so many emotions in one day. I am really proud of the way everyone played in that game. The frustrating thing is I knew that this group of players had the potential to play that way all along and for that performance to come out in a game full of so much pressure was incredible.”
John Brake, who scored his first IRB Sevens try, said, “That was an unbelievable game to play in. I was confident before the match and knew we had a chance and just felt that it was all going to come together in time. It was a make or break game for us. I think I had a bit of white line fever for my try as I was pretty isolated but I knew it was the last play of the half so I just went for it. It is a great feeling to beat Fiji.”
Isoa Damudamu, who was born in Fiji but qualifies for England through residency, said, “That was one of the best moments of my rugby career. I have a massive smile on my face right now and am just so pleased we won. I have just seen some of my family who are here watching and they were so happy for me. My auntie was sat with all the Fijian fans but was waving an England fan like mad!”
Scorers:
England – Try: Care, Amesbury, Brake
Conversions: Amor
Penalty goal: Amor
Fiji – Tries: Ryder, Saukawa
Conversions: Ryder
England: Simon Amor, captain (London Wasps), Danny Care (NEC Harlequins), John Brake (Northampton Saints), Isoa Damudamu (Newbury Blues / British Army), Charlie Amesbury (NEC Harlequins), Ben Russell (Saracens), Andy Vilk (Sale Sharks)
Reps: James Brooks (London Wasps)
Not used: Michael Hills (Sale Sharks), Tony Roques (Exeter Chiefs), David Doherty (London Wasps), Jack Adams (Gloucester)
Fiji: Saukawa, Volavola, Naba, Vucago, Dranivasa, Ryder, Saravanua
Reps from: Cakau, S Serevi, W Serevi, Nabuliwaqa, Roko
Referee: M Pilara (ARG)
EARLIER.....
Damu does the double as England beat Canada in Adelaide Sevens
England 31
Canada 12
England’s latest recruit Isoa Damudamu (Newbury / British Army) helped England to a win against Canada in the IRB Australia Sevens today with two tries and some dazzling footwork. England improved on their disappointing loss to Tonga this morning to beat Canada 31 12 in their second pool game in Adelaide. They now face a must win match against Fiji to qualify for the Cup competition tomorrow.
England looked more in control and confident against Canada who proved a constant threat throughout the match. Damu helped celebrate his first England Sevens cap with a try early in the first half.
But it wasn’t all good news for Damu as whilst England defended well his tackle was deemed dangerous and Canada were awarded a penalty from which they scored their first try. Damu was sent to the sin bin and England were down to six men.
Canada used this advantage and Moonlight scored his second try of the match to put Canada in the lead. England’s defence was good with great tackling by David Doherty (London Wasps). An England penalty led to James Brooks (London Wasps) scoring the day after his 27th birthday.
The scores were tied 12 all at half time.
Replacement Charlie Amesbury (NEC Harlequins) scored soon into the second half with a much improved performance from earlier today.
Canada still looked strong and threatening as the clock counted down but another England try by Under 20s captain Danny Care (NEC Harlequins) who ran almost the length of the pitch helped to extend England’s lead.
England’s final try was a touch of magic from their new boy. The imposing, Fijian born back row’s fancy footwork impressed the crowd at the Adelaide Oval and ensured England had a comfortable win in the end.
Speaking after the match Tony Roques (Exeter Chiefs) said, “Our performance was good but we must not get carried away. There were still lots of times when could have done more, and need to give it another 100% on top of that performance. The match against Fiji is absolutely massive.”
Scorers:
England – Try: Damudamu (2),Amesbury, Brooks, Care
Conversions: Care (3)
Canada – Tries: Moonlight (2)
Conversion: Moonlight
England: Danny Care (NEC Harlequins), Michael Hills (Sale Sharks), Tony Roques (Exeter Chiefs), John Brake (Northampton Saints), David Doherty (London Wasps), James Brooks (London Wasps), Isoa Damudamu (Newbury Blues / British Army)
Reps: Charlie Amesbury (NEC Harlequins), Ben Russell (Saracens), Andy Vilk (Sale Sharks)
Not used: Simon Amor, captain (London Wasps), Jack Adams (Gloucester)
Canada: David Moonlight, Nicholas Trenkel, Neil Meechan, Akio Tyler, Philip Mack, Brodie Henderson, Ben Grant
Reps from: Phil MacKenzie, Tyronne Shannon, Shawn Mercier, Gordie Sawers, Rob Turk
Referee: A. Lindsay (AUS)
Saturday 7th April 2007
England make it hard for themselves as they lose to Tonga in Adelaide Sevens
England 5
Tonga 12
Everyone acknowledged it was a tough pool but England have made it even harder by losing their first pool game match against Tonga on Day One of the IRB Australia Sevens.
Captain Simon Amor did manage to get one try but time and opportunity ran out for England, meaning they must beat both Canada and Fiji to qualify for the Cup competition.
England had good possession in the first half but a number of errors prevented them from scoring. There were periods of good play but overall it was a disappointing performance, and the young squad were outplayed by Tonga.
It took until almost the sixth minute of the first half for anyone to cross the line but eventually Kaufusi scored and a successful conversion by Tu’ifua meant the islanders led 7 0 at the break.
Kaurusi crossed for his second try of the match early in the second half and England saw the match slipping away from them. Despite a Tongan sin bin (Lolohea) for repeatedly putting hands in the ruck and England having the advantage, Ben Ryan’s side were unable to capitalise on their chances.
Northampton Saints Academy youngster John Brake almost scored but was tackled just before the line and it was up to captain Amor to cross the line. His subsequent conversion hit the post and bounced off.
England’s substitutions of Michael Hills and Danny Care were unable to make much difference and the hooter sounded to the sheer disappointment of the England players.
England Sevens Coach Ben Ryan said, “That was not good enough by us. We didn’t do anything we set out to do before the match and have now given ourselves a mountain to climb to ensure we qualify for the Cup competition.
On the positive side at least we have two more chances – against Canada and Fiji – to right that wrong and improve our game. There were patches of good play, and our new cap Isoa Damudamu showed glimpses of what he can do when he defended, but overall I am very disappointed with our performance.”
England play Canada at 3.21pm local (6.51am BST).
Scorers:
England – Try: Amor
Tonga – Tries: Kaufusi (2)
Conversion: Tu’ifua
England: Simon Amor, captain (London Wasps), Charlie Amesbury (NEC Harlequins), Jack Adams (Gloucester), James Brooks (London Wasps), Isoa Damudamu (Newbury Blues / British Army), Ben Russell (Saracens), Andy Vilk (Sale Sharks)
Reps: Danny Care (NEC Harlequins), Michael Hills (Sale Sharks), Tony Roques (Exeter Chiefs), John Brake (Northampton Saints), David Doherty (London Wasps)
Tonga: Kaufusi, Tu’ifua, Tua’tao, Lilo, Lawson, Lolohea, Tangitau
Reps from: Veikune, Funaki, Latu, Pone, Poteki
Referee: T. Hirabayashi (JAP)
Ends.
