Lack of experience exposed

SEVENS WORLD CUP: Zimbabwe 17 Ireland 14IRELAND CAME desperately close to lifting the Bowl title at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai on Saturday, but in the end they were denied by Zimbabwe in a tense final that exposed Ireland's lack of experience.

Finishing in the runners-up position, however, should not belittle Ireland’s achievement at the tournament. Few would have bet on them reaching the Bowl final given their absence from the international Sevens game in recent years.

To have come from a zero base and to have challenged for honours was remarkable and says much for the coaching of John Skurr and the commitment of his players. Other countries have shown the spin-off from Sevens in 15 rugby. Ireland might do well to consider this point and perhaps opt in to the World Series, if not as a core member, then for two or three of the eight tournaments.

Throughout the tournament Ireland improved steadily after a difficult opening tie against the eventual cup semi-finalists, Samoa. On Saturday they cruised past the host country, Arabian Gulf, with a 24-5 win, that included two tries from Kyle Tonetti before dismissing Hong Kong in the semi-final with a 22-15 victory to which former rugby league player Brian Carney contributed with two touchdowns.

In the final, Ireland took time to settle allowing the pacy Zimbabwe side to build up a 12-0 lead. Tries by Tonetti and Tom Gleeson, both converted, gave Ireland the lead in the second-half but a breakaway score from South Africa-based Jacques Leitao gave the East Africans the Bowl title.

“Our lack of experience showed a bit in the final,” admitted Skurr afterwards. “But this was our first tournament at this level,” he added. “With more exposure to this intensity we could improve rapidly. I think the boys showed immense commitment to the competition and they’ve certainly done Ireland proud.”

The coach singled out Felix Jones, Tonetti and Tom Gleeson for special praise. “I rate them very highly,” he said. “I was also impressed with James Coughlan. He could be in line for the Ireland A tour this summer. He certainly deserves to part of the squad.”

But the day belonged to another Celtic nation. Against all the odds Wales are world champions after a set of results that surprised the entire rugby world.

In an incredible quarter-final Wales began a cull of the favourites by defeating top seeds New Zealand 15-14. England followed New Zealand after losing to Samoa, and then South Africa went down to Argentina. Nor did defending champions Fiji avoid the wind of change as Kenya raised their game to knock out the title holders.

Wales, gaining in confidence, then disposed of Samoa in the semi-final and in a hugely-exciting final the Welsh Sevens experienced their finest hour with victory by 19-12 over Argentina to lift the world title for the first time.

The other Celtic triumph was in the middle-tier competition where Scotland recovered from a difficult start on Thursday to take the Plate title after defeating Australia in the final, following their wins over France and Portugal.

IRELAND: Gary Brown (Blackrock College – Leinster), Kieran Campbell (Galwegians – Connacht, capt), Brian Carney (Clonakilty – Munster), James Coughlan (Dolphin – Munster), Conan Doyle (Garryowen – Munster), Tom Gleeson (Cork Constitution – Munster), Eoghan Grace (Shannon – Munster), Felix Jones (Old Belvedere – Leinster), Paul Marshall (Belfast Harlequins – Ulster), Daniel Riordan (Buccaneers – Connacht), Kyle Tonetti (Blackrock College – Leinster), Brian Tuohy (Cornish Pirates).