Wales hope to hit the jackpot when they face big hitting Samoa in the quarter-finals of the Las Vegas leg of the IRB Sevens World Series tomorrow.
For the first time in this year’s campaign, Paul John’s men have reached the knockout stages. Previously they have failed to reach the main draw on the second day but due to Japan causing a major shock by upsetting Argentina, Wales managed to finish second behind England in Pool D to reach the last eight.
Wales have a huge task in front of them as Samoa are the form team and have the red hot Mikaele Pesamino amongst their ranks. The Samoan flyer became the first player for over four years to score five tries in a single 14-minute match, when he ran riot against Chile – he also scored a dazzling hat trick against Scotland to stand well clear at the top of the try scorers list with eight.
While Japan, Wales and Argentina took points from each other, England’s opening two wins against the Japanese and the Welsh guaranteed them top place in the pool. The English drew 12-12 with Argentina in the final match of the day, but the game had little bearing on the pools, Wales finishing in second place to reach the Cup quarter finals.
Japan caused the first upset of the tournament by beating defending USA Sevens champions Argentina 7-0, their first win in Sevens against the Pumas in eight matches.
England fought from behind to beat Wales 26-10 and then beat off a brave Japanese challenge to win 24-5, having been held to 5-5 at the break. Wales roared to a 22-5 win against Japan after stumbling to Argentina (21-15) but due to Japan’s shock triumph over the Pumas, Wales scraped through on seven points, one behind England, to make the quarter-finals for the first time this campaign.
IRB World Seven Series – Las Vegas
Results: Pool D
Wales 10 England 26
Wales 15 Argentina 21
Wales 22 Japan 5
Cup quarter finals
New Zealand v South Africa
Fiji v Australia
Samoa v Wales
England v Kenya
