Australia will face stiff opposition in the IRB Sevens in Adelaide

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Australia will face stiff opposition in the IRB Sevens in Adelaide

By staff writers
March 11, 2009 Australia coach Michael O'Connor admits the host nation has drawn a challenging assignment for the International Rugby Sevens in Adelaide next month.
Fresh from finishing runners-up to Scotland in the Plate Final at the IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai last weekend, the Australians have been placed alongside England, Samoa and Portugal in Pool A for the 16-team tournament.

England currently leads the World Series standings, together with South Africa, while both Samoa and Portugal are also ahead of Australia on the overall points table after four tournaments.

“We look forward to Adelaide, and performing in front of our home crowd,” former dual international O’Connor said.

“England has obviously been a form side in the World Series and Samoa has been a difficult side for us over a number of years.

“However, if there is one tournament you like to target in a season it is the one where you have the opportunity to play on home soil. We’re confident of a very good showing.

“A number of our players have shown terrific development through the course of the season, remembering that at the start of the Sevens circuit we hardly had anyone with experience at this level.”

Newly-crowned Rugby World Cup Sevens champions Wales are in Pool C with New Zealand, USA and Tonga.

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Adelaide headlines next month;

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