The
fifth Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament has just finished, a spectacular event
held in Dubai from the 5-7th March at a new, purpose-built complex, aptly named
'The Sevens'. Wales, with popular Cornish 'Pirate'
Rhodri McAtee in their squad, were surprise winners, beating Argentina 19-12 in
the final played in front of 50,000 people, with the men in red emerging worthy
victors against a lively Pumas side.  |
| Rhodri
McAtee Shows Off His Winners Medal With Pirates Fan Chris Sealey | | |  |
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There
was considerable 'Pirate' interest in this year's competition, with Brian Tuohy
(Ireland) also involved, besides former players such as Benjamin Ayimba and Oscar
Osir (Coach and Manager of Kenya), and Chris Cracknell (England) now with Exeter
Chiefs. England had high hopes of winning in Dubai, especially
after topping Pool E. However, in the quarter-finals of the main cup competition
they bowed out to Samoa in the closest of contests. A last-gap try from Exeter's
Josh Drauniniu made it 26-all, but Samoa scored a decisive try in extra time to
emerge 31-26 winners. Pool F winners Argentina beat South
Africa 14-12 in their quarter-final, but it was in the other two quarter-finals
that some real Pirate interest had started to emerge. Wales and Kenya had secured
their places for being the best two runners-up across the six Pools, and both
would spring surprises. Creating one of the shock results,
Wales beat New Zealand 15-14 in their quarter-final, as the sound of 'Delilah'
reverberated around 'The Sevens' stadium. It was a big disappointment for the
'All Blacks', for as happened in the 15-a-side game, they had registered another
Rugby World Cup failure. Kenya also danced into the semis
by beating holders Fiji by a convincing 26-7 points margin. Benjamin Ayimba predicted
six months earlier that his team would win the Rugby World Cup Sevens, and his
dream was at least one step closer. As it worked put, Kenya
were to lose 12-0 against Argentina in their semi-final, but for Wales it was
a case of winning again, this time 19-12 against Samoa. Few
could have predicted a Wales versus Argentina final, but so it emerged, with Wales
deserving their historic win. Playing for the Wales at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
was a previous highlight for Rhodri, but it was surpassed on Saturday by winning
a World Cup final medal. Ireland had competed in Pool D,
where they lost to Samoa and Portugal, but beat Australia 24-21, a game in which
Brian Tuohy starred. Competing next in the Bowl competition, Ireland beat Arabian
Gulf and Hong Kong before losing 17-14 to Zimbabwe in the Bowl final. The
'Plate' was won by Scotland, who beat Australia 21-17 in that particular final. The
Rugby World Cup Sevens is the premier international rugby sevens competition,
organised by the IRB. The inaugural tournament was held in 1993 in Scotland, the
birthplace of rugby sevens. England were the first winners of the 'Melrose Cup',
followed by Fiji (1997), New Zealand (2001), and Fiji again (2005). Speaking
on his achievement in Dubai, Rhodri commented: "Just
to participate in the World Cup was a privilege and an honour, but to go on and
win it was the greatest feeling in the world - I still can't believe it. It can
only mean good things for Welsh rugby and hopefully open eyes to sevens as well.
Rugby-wise I don't think I will ever again achieve what I did in the past week,
and to have my wife there supporting me made it ever better!" Rhodri
also reckons it'll take a while for it all to sink in, and he doesn't think he'll
ever get used to being called world champion. Finally, he also had some words
of appreciation for supporters, adding: "I would like
to thank all the Pirates fans who made the long journey, and who gave both Brian
and myself their support - even out in Dubai the Cornish made sure they were heard!" For
Brian the World Cup experience was also something special, staying in a lavish
hotel on the newly built palm island, playing in the heat of the desert, and playing
in front of thousands will leave a lasting memory. Brian
commented: "The training demands were tough, but made
worthwhile when the first game kicked off and my World Cup dream began. I am proud
to have participated in such a wonderful event and thoroughly enjoyed the experience
- hopefully I can be apart of the next World Cup in four years time!" | 
