Powell pleased with Hong Kong performance despite Blitzboks shortcomings
JOBURG – Blitzboks head coach, Neil Powell, not fazed following disappointing 22–0 loss to Fiji in the Cup final of the HSBC Hong Kong Sevens Series.
The monkey of the Hong Kong Sevens tightened its grip on the Blitzboks’ backs following yet another final hurdle disappointment. The Boks Sevens were handed a humiliating 22–0 defeat in the Cup final at the Hong Kong Stadium courtesy of a spirited Fiji outfit.
Despite this disappointment, coach Neil Powell was pleased with the team’s performance. “We did very well considering the inexperience we had in our squad and the fact that we were without a number of star players,” he said. “We did well over the three days and managed to play five good games, but unfortunately we were just not good enough in the final. Well done to Fiji who deserved the win.”
Powell said they were in a tough pool with the added demand of a possible quarterfinal clash with either arch-foes Fiji or New Zealand. “I was a bit nervous as the pool stage could’ve easily derailed us and the cross-over was tricky. Looking back now, we did excellently and I am content with what we achieved.”
Following their weekend’s performance, the Blitzboks maintained a 23-point lead over their closest rivals, Fiji, who have leap-frogged England into 2nd position. “That [lead] does a lot for our confidence, but it is not something that we can feel at ease about. We need another strong performance in Singapore next weekend [15-17 April] to keep the pressure on Fiji and England.”
Plagued by an injury crisis going into Hong Kong, Powell aimed to give more playing opportunities to younger players. “It was one of the objectives we had pre-season and I am happy that we could do that. I wanted to give the younger guys more chances on the field and in match situations. They can do great things on the training field, but they only learn from mistakes they make while playing out there. So that was another boxed ticked for us.”
Werner Kok was named player of the tournament, a feat he attributed to the overall team effort. “It is never about the individual, so the team deserves this as much as I do,” he insisted. He also pointed to the fact that the team would be keen to improve on their performance in Hong Kong.
“We did not play our best rugby in the final, unfortunately, but we can be pleased with our overall effort. There is definite room for improvement and we will travel with a lot of focus to Singapore. We still have a lot to do before we can think of winning the overall series.”
With three rounds to go, what do you think the Bok Sevens have to do to win the series? Post your comments on the City Buzz Facebook page.
