Fijians Great, Our Plan Works: Powell
“I never have to push them. They work very hard. That can be a hard skill to teach. Perhaps that’s more of a characteristic, is their work ethic,” Powell said.
Thursday 05 March 2020 | 11:01
South Africa 7s team coach Neil Powell has praised his team’s work ethic during the Los Angeles Sevens last weekend.
But added, the Fijian men’s 7s team was of a comparable calibre.
“They will come out strong at the Canada Sevens in Vancouver at the weekend,” Powell said.
“They’re a great bunch.
Neil also said his team played admirably in Los Angeles and showed true character against Fiji in the final.
He said the team followed the system and the game plan really worked.
“I never have to push them. They work very hard. That can be a hard skill to teach. Perhaps that’s more of a characteristic, is their work ethic,” Powell said.
“When you’ve players who believe in the system and in themselves, you know results comes naturally.”
Neil also said all games were exciting and the overtime was a nail-biter.
“Fiji has always been a great team, evenly matched and a fierce competitor.”
Neil Powell.
Strength in depth: Werner Kok
Meanwhile, veteran Werner Kok said the come-from-behind win against Fiji was still an unbelievable achievement and something he ascribes to the great depth in the Springbok Sevens set-up.
Kok played in his 50th World Rugby Sevens Series tournament in California.
It wasn’t the first time Kok had experienced this, though. He was also in the squad when they fought back from a 19-0 down to beat Fiji in Singapore last year. This time around he feels it was the depth of the squad that helped them achieve what seemed impossible with a minute to play.
The Blitzboks are defending champions at the Canada Sevens.
Edited by Naisa Koroi
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