[(IRB.COM) Saturday 29 March 2008] ĄG
Andrew Walker, Australia
"We are pretty stoked at the moment. We played two tough matches today and the performance against France got us into a bit of a roll and this afternoon's match against Tonga was really hard and they really took it to us. We were patient though, and felt that if we held onto the ball we would score and we clawed it back in the last 30 seconds. I am really pleased for all the boys. We are now just looking forward to tomorrow.
"It is really tough playing Sevens as there is so much space out there and half the time you are crossing back and chasing blokes, so it is not all like fifteens. It was a lot tougher and also a little bit humid.
"It is great to be back and it is always a dream to play for your country, wearing the green and gold. I am really enjoying it, especially because we have 12 fantastic players.
"It is a young squad and we have only been together a week and a half. We have trained well and have bonded pretty well as a sevens squad and we are tight. With my experience returning to the squad it really helps the younger blokes, especially on a big occasion like this, I just help calm things down and tell the guys to play normal rugby and control that ball."
Gordon Tietjens, New Zealand coach
"We had not played for quite a while after returning from San Diego and in beating Chinese Taipei by 50 points we were not completely happy. Tunisia put up a stern fight and it was only 12-0 at half time, but we could feel a performance coming and that came tonight against USA, which gives us a lot of confidence heading into tomorrow. I actually managed to field what has been my top line up for the past few tournaments in that game and they started pretty well. I also managed to get a number of the younger players onto the field after the break and that also worked out well, so it is all pretty good.
"What is really important is that we secure win number 40, so we are not looking that far ahead, so I have not really put win number 42 and the Hong Kong title in mind. However, if we win here in Hong Kong the title will go a long way to securing the series title.
"Quite honestly I think that there are five or six teams who could win it tomorrow, that is how close it is. Argentina nearly toppled South Africa and they have not even qualified for the quarters, then there is England and Samoa and England are getting better all the time. Tomorrow is going to be all about taking the opportunities when they are presented and it does not matter whether you are the top team in the series or in the top three, you could get beaten by the sixth, seventh or eighth ranked teams, that's how competitive it is."
Rod McIntosh, Hong Kong coach
"It was a huge effort out there today against France, very courageous and especially so in regrouping after the Tonga game this morning. We talked about the first and last two minutes this morning and we certainly got the start that we wanted and got the points on the board early, but you know, it was typical France, you simply cannot ever underestimate them and they kept coming back.
"We got a really tough draw against core circuit teams, but we used that as a massive opportunity. We have been working hard for twelve months, so these improved results are not a surprise to be totally honest. We have the organisational structure, the athletes and the sevens specific fitness to compete at this level. We just need the opportunities to play regularly at this level against top opposition
"I think we are going through a growth stage. We have blooded a lot of young players and have two 18 year olds here and the rest are in their early twenties. These guys will play together as a nucleus for the next three or four years and that is really exciting. It is important as it is our showcase event and it helps raise the profile of the game here in Hong Kong, so it is an important tool in terms of development."
Beth Coalter, IRB Sevens Manager
"Hong Kong is special to me. It is my third time back here with the Series, having previously been involved [for 19 years] in managing the tournament. This tournament has been outstanding thus far and you can really see evidence of the growth of rugby here in Hong Kong, what with the mini rugby and the number of spectators attending the tournament. It is also interesting to note the number of people from Asia attending the tournament and it is just a very exciting three days.
"I think that the most exciting thing about sevens at the moment is the performance of the smaller teams. Last night the ground was perhaps a little damp and that may have acted as a leveller and the games were really exciting as a result. Hong Kong, buoyed by a huge support, did so well and came back strongly against Australia.
"It is really tough to pick a winner at this stage, but obviously New Zealand have not won here for quite a while, South Africa have never won in Hong Kong and of course Fiji are back in form. Everyone will be gunning for New Zealand. Let's not write off England either. I know they are a young side, but the crowd just love them and they respond to the support.
"The New Zealand have dominated the women's event for some time so having USA and Canada in the final was a massive attraction and looking at the media coverage today, it is the first time that the Asian papers have given the women's game such coverage.
"Women's Rugby is changing and although the focus is still on fifteens where depth is strong, sevens is now being taken extremely seriously. Here in Asia the girls love sevens, while Brazil are already qualified for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai next year. It is extremely exciting."
Wailsale Serevi, Chinese Taipei Coach
"First of all I must thank Chinese Taipei for giving me the opportunity to come back to Hong Kong. I wanted to do it with Fiji, but I have to open another door. It is a challenge and we want to go to the Sevens World Cup in Dubai next year.
"It is the first international tournament that we have played. Against New Zealand I told the boys that it is good to play against them and we scored a try which was a massive positive. The boys played well and showed great composure to almost upset USA, another seeded team and I would like to thank them for their commitment.
We learn as we go along. A lot of people say that I am a great sevens player, but I am still learning with each day and so are the boys."
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