IRB  - Dubai Sevens 2007/8 Series

England will meet South Africa once again within the space of two months but this time it will be our Sevens team who will take up the challenge against the Boks.

New Zealand winners of the  2006/7 World Series will open the tournament  against Scotland at the Exiles Rugby ground in Dubai.  Once again the event is set to be a sell-out crowd. New Zealand were recently named the IRB Sevens Team of the year, with the Player of the Year accolade going to Afeleki Pelenise. 

After winning the Dubai title last year to race into an early Series lead, South Africa finished the season in fourth place and head Pool D as number four seeds. They will face England, traditionally strong and well-supported in Dubai, series ever-presents Canada and Tunisia, another constantly improving African nation.

 IRB Tournament Director Beth Coalter said:-  "We couldn't have wished for a better-written script last year,". "For the whole Series to hinge on the last match of the last event was incredible and really sums up the excitement and thrill that international Sevens consistently delivers.  "This year's Rugby World Cup was the best yet and it is worth noting that 26% of the 600 players taking part had played in the IRB Sevens World Series," Coalter added. "Take away certain positions in the forward pack who are less cut out for Sevens and that figure rises easily over the 50% mark.  “The nature of the game means that the players learn how to operate in space, to read play, improve defensively and in their decision making. Sevens is developing a lot of the best players in world rugby and it's also often the first place that people get to see them."

WELL DONE NEW ZEALAND - DUBAI EMIRATES 7S CHAMPIONS 2007/8

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