 Wales beat Argentina in their opener, a repeat of the World Cup final |
Wales Sevens completed their season with a 28-14 semi-final defeat to eventual tournament winners Fiji in the Cup competition at Murrayfield. Coach Paul John's World Cup-winners produced a stunning display to beat Kenya 19-7 in the quarters, Rhys Jones scoring twice and Tom Isaacs once. On Saturday, Wales beat Argentina 19-17 in a repeat of the World Cup final, before losing 21-14 to Samoa. A crushing eight-try, 50-7 win over Georgia saw them into the quarters. Earlier on Saturday, South Africa closed out their first IRB Sevens World Series title.  | 606: DEBATE |
By making the quarter-finals the Springboks - who eventually lost to Fiji 20-19 in a thrilling final - ensured they could not be caught in the season-long battle. Wales were the shock winners of the World Cup in Dubai in March. Coach John had six players from that triumph in his squad in Edinburgh - skipper Beach, James Merriman, Lee Williams, Aled Thomas, Tal Selley and Tom Isaacs. | What I'd like for next season is a settled squad for all the tournaments Wales Sevens coach Paul John |
John admitted they still have a lot of work ahead if they are to challenge the likes of South Africa, Fiji and England on a regular basis. "Reaching the semi-finals made up for a disappointing tournament in London," he said. "This was our first semi-final this season and this tells us that we still have a lot of work to do if we are to compete at the top level. "We perhaps have to think more about specific sevens conditioning. However, I can't fault the attitude of the players this week. "We will now assess this season in a debrief session. What I'd like for next season is a settled squad for all the tournaments."
Wales Sevens squad: Lee Beach (capt, Neath - London Welsh next season), James Merriman (unattached), Rhys Shellard (Cardiff), Jevon Groves (Cross Keys), Aled Thomas (London Welsh), Tom Isaacs (Newport), Rhys Jones (Cornish Pirates), Tal Selley (Dragons), Will Harries (Northampton Saints), Ifan Evans (Llandovery), Jimmy Norris (Bedwas / Dragons), Lee Williams (Scarlets)
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