Confirms Pool Draw, The IRB has confirmed the pool draw for round 5 of the HSBC Sevens World Series, the USA Sevens in Las Vegas, USA on 10-12 February 2012. The draw was made live on television before the Cup final of the Hertz Sevens in Wellington, the fourth round of the 2011/12 season, won by New Zealand.
As Wellington Sevens champions, New Zealand top pool A at the Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas. They face a tough trio of matches against former Series champions Samoa, trans-Tasman rivals Australia and Japan. Fiji reached their second Cup final of the Series in Wellington and, as runners-up, head Pool B and face matches against Canada, Argentina and tournament hosts, USA.
France were drawn top of Pool C and they face matches agaisnt South Africa, Wales and South American qualifiers, Uruguay. Kenya headed the draw in Pool D, where the Series’ third-ranked side England will start as favourites alongside Scotland and Brazil. Following their second successive Cup win of the season, the reigning Series champions New Zealand are now out on their own at the top of the Series standings on 73, three clear of Fiji on 70 with England third on 64 and South Africa fourth with 61.
Cup winners – 2011/12 HSBC Sevens World Series
Round 1 – Gold Coast – Fiji
Round 2 – Dubai – England
Round 3 – Port Elizabeth – New Zealand
Round 4 – Wellington – New Zealand
Feb 04, 2012: New Zealand have beaten closest rivals Fiji 24-7 to win the 2012 Hertz Sevens, retain their Wellington title and take an outright lead in the HSBC Sevens World Series after four of nine rounds.
The reigning Series champions beat England 17-12 in sudden death extra time to reach the final, and then produced an imperious first half display in front of a partisan home crowd, scoring four unanswered tries in the first 10 minutes through Frank Halai (2), Tomasi Cama and captain DJ Forbes, to lead 24-0.
The New Zealanders now lead the overall Series with 73, ahead of Fiji on 70. England defeated Samoa 21-12 in the third place play-off to collect 17 Series points, which puts them on 64 overall, three ahead of South Africa in fourth.
South Africa beat Tonga to claim the Plate. Kenya won the Bowl with their second victory of the weekend against Australia. Scotland overcame the Cook Islands to win the Shield.
USA Sevens pool draw, Round 5:
Before the Hertz Sevens Cup final in Wellington the pool draw was made for the fifth and upcoming round of the World Series, the USA Sevens in Las Vegas on 10-12 February. USA
IRB Media Release
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