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Treu extends helping hand to African nations
(IRB.COM) Thursday 6 December 2007
Kenya's fight back South Africa cause for concern in the Dubai Cup quarter-finals
South Africa coach Paul Treu may have the small matter of trying to win their home leg of the IRB Sevens World Series for the first time on his mind this weekend, but he is also keen to do all he can to help the development of other African nations.
Treu’s men were given a scare by Kenya in their Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens quarter-final last weekend when their 17-0 half-time lead evaporated with three Kenyan tries, all of them unconverted which crucially saw them through to the last four.
Kenya had earlier fought back strongly to narrowly lose to Samoa and beat new Series core members Wales in the pool stages, while Zimbabwe pushed Australia all the way before losing 28-21.
Zimbabwe went on to win the Shield, beating Tunisia 22-19 in the final, and they are joined at the Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens by Uganda – another nation hoping to make a mark as they build towards the Rugby World Cup Sevens qualifiers in 2008.
Extending a helping hand
“Kenya are probably one of the most improving teams on the circuit, especially in the second half of last season, they really, really played well and I am sure they are going to do well here in George,” Treu told irbsevens.com.
“That is why we wanted to play against them [in a training session on Wednesday] because they do have speed and they are physical as well and I am sure if we can counter them [it bodes well].
“We are also going to play against USA and apparently the winger [Takudzwa Ngwenya] who rounded Bryan Habana in the World Cup is here as well, so it will be good to match ourselves with that kind of pace and intensity.
“I think we also have a responsibility towards the rest of Africa just to develop the game and that is why we always try to invite teams like Zimbabwe and Kenya to play against them, in a sense try to improve their structures and their games as well.
Handling the pressure to succeed
“But at the end of the day, we don’t want them to be too good to beat us in the pool stages and finals! It is our responsibility [though] and if we can help we will do everything we can.”
South Africa have been drawn with Uganda in Pool C – together with Wales and Dubai Plate winners Argentina – as they look to go one better than their defeat in last year’s final by New Zealand, the side who ended their challenge in Dubai.
“I think we are very positive and very confident for our own tournament,” added Treu, who has called up Kabamba Floors and Marius Schoeman for the injured pair Mzwandile Stick and suspended Jonathan Mokuena.
“We have been here for quite a few years now and have learned how to deal with the pressure and all the support within George and I think it used to be a problem, but we have learned how to cope with it and I think all the guys are going to go out there, relax and enjoy themselves.”
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