News - 2008
Fresh faces in new-look Springbok side at Dubai Rugby Sevens - Treu aims to emulate 2006 success -
Dubai, October 30, 2008 – There will be plenty of fresh faces when the South African Sevens team take to the field at the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens next month.
And that makes the challenge that bit greater for coach Paul Treu who is aiming to go one better than the runner-up spot his team achieved in last season's IRB Sevens World Series.
Treu and his team are currently in Singapore where they are playing their first tournament in preparation for the Dubai competition which runs from November 27-29 at Emirates' new sporting facility, 'The Sevens'.
"We would like to come out and do well and like the other 15 teams in the tournament, end up as winners," said Treu. "In think it's going to be extremely tough though as a lot of the teams are better prepared than in previous years because they have been playing qualifying tournaments for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in March.
"We have always done fairly well in Dubai. We have amazing support there and we really count on them – we can't do it without the fans," added the man who led his side to victory in the Dubai tournament in 2006.
The South African team is one of just two sides who managed to wrest a tournament title from the dominant New Zealanders last season, having taken top honours in Adelaide.
"I think the secret to New Zealand's success has been their continuity. Players like DJ Forbes and Stephen Yates started playing in Dubai three years ago and that's why they're doing so well now," said Treu.
"That's what we are trying to achieve as well as identifying the right players. It's a nice challenge as we have a lot of new players in the team but that's all part of our long-term plan," added the coach.
After competing in Singapore, the South Africans will head home where they'll attend a joint training camp with the Arabian Gulf side in Stellenbosch before flying into Dubai early to put the finishing touches to their preparations.
"We are really looking forward to going out there and giving it a go. We all love Dubai. It's a great place and the vibe, atmosphere and organisation is just brilliant. We couldn't ask for a better place to start the Sevens World Series," said Treu.
Gary Chapman, President Group Service and Dnata, Emirates Group, said: "We are looking forward to welcoming the South African team back to Dubai for the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens. They always have such great support here with so many South African ex-pats living in the city."
"With just a few weeks to go now, everything at the new purpose-built Emirates venue is looking good and preparations are going full steam ahead as we prepare to welcome the world to The Sevens," he added.
The Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens takes place at The Sevens, on the Al Ain Road just beyond the Outlet Mall, from November 27-29, 2008. There are 15,000 parking spaces available at the new venue and buses will be working overtime to transport fans from the venue back into various locations in Dubai over the weekend.