Wales' superb win over Samoa was not enough to qualify

"We were disappointed to be in the Shield (the bottom tier of the event) but the boys went on a steep learning curve this weekend," said Rees.

"Some people at home don't quite understand what a great development tool Sevens is.

"That doesn't matter to me as long as we continue to develop the players."

He added: "We had James Hook last year and players like him only arrive once every five or 10 years.

"But we have also lost five or six others who came through Sevens and have now established themselves with their regions, players like Tal Selley and Aled Brew."

Cardiff's Tom James scored a hat-trick of tries as Wales thrashed the Arabian Gulf in the Shield final on Saturday.

Rees' side had booked their place in the final with a 19-12 extra-time victory over Scotland.

They had been knocked out of the Bowl competition earlier in the day after losing 24-10 to Argentina.

A surprise Samoa win over New Zealand in the final pool game had denied Wales a quarter-final place in the Cup event.

The All Blacks topped the group, with Samoa second and the Arabian Gulf bringing up the rear.

Pre-tournament favourites South Africa won the main event after a 31-12 win over New Zealand.

Samoa beat France to win the Plate and Argentina overcame Zimbabwe to take the Bowl prize.