The WRU website reports on the London leg of the IRB Sevens World Series tournaments.
Day 1 report: Wales Sevens reach Cup quarters
World champions Wales will face Argentina in the Cup quarter-final on the second day of the Emirates Airline London Sevens at Twickenham after finishing second in their group at the end of a first day that was to clearly to the liking of coach Paul John.
“I was pleased with the day overall. We dug deep against Kenya but I was disappointed with the first game against New Zealand. I’m really pleased to have got through this first day and to have qualified in the top eight” said John.
Wales began the first session of play at RFU headquarters facing World Series title challengers and defending champions New Zealand. The All Blacks, eager to impress in their opening game were quickly off the mark with a try by Kurt Baker, who was followed on the score sheet by the experienced Tomasi Casa and Tim Mikkelson.
Then with half-time approaching Wales were rewarded for their enterprise with a try by Scarlets’ youngster Lee Rees.
But it was to be Wales’ only score in the tie as New Zealand turned on the power in the second half to score further tries by Casa, Baker (two) and speedster Sherwin Stowers to win 43-5.
It might have been a dispiriting result for most teams but the World Champions responded magnificently with a heroic performance against Kenya to inflict a 22-17 defeat on the east Africans.
Wales’ dynamic start clearly shocked the confident Kenyans, who were unable to stop Ifan Evans racing in for the opening score. Then, as Wales found their form, Rhys Jones grabbed a brace of tries and one conversion.
Just before the break Kenya pulled back a score with a try by Humphrey Kayanga to trail Wales 5-17 at the break. But two minutes into the second half, Wales struck with a decisive score, a try from their World Cup medal winner Craig Hill. Kenya hit back with two late tries from Leon Adongo and Collins Injera and looked to be on course to score the winner only for Lee Rees to put in a superb try-saving tackle.
Then against Portugal, Wales staged a superb fightback after trailing 12-0 at the break with second-half tries by Ifan Evans and Craig Hill both converted by Gareth Davies, the second, from the touchline proving to be the match winner.
Day 2 report: No trophy but plenty of positives
Wales' hopes of reaching their first Cup semi-final of season in the IRB World Series floundered in the last eight but the performances of the Welsh squad at the Emirates Airline London Sevens bodes well for the Series finale in Edinburgh this weekend.
Wales began the second day of the London Sevens at RFU headquarters with what was always going to be a difficult tie against an Argentina side at near full strength. Fifteen months ago, the two sides met in the final of the Rugby Sevens World Cup in Dubai and as history has recorded it was Wales who triumphed.
In London, however, it was Argentina who looked the sharper and more aggressive, with a second-half performance that killed off Welsh hopes of a win.
Wales led 14-12 at the break with tries from Ifan Evans and Rhys Shellard, both converted by Gareth Davies, but from the second-half kick-off the Pumas turned the screw, taking the lead with a try from Diego Palma and then widening the gap with a rare penalty goal from Joaquin Todeschini for a 20-14 lead. Then when Nicolas Bruzzone breezed crossed for a try, it was all over for Wales, the final score being 27-14 to Argentina.
The result meant that Wales went into the semi-final of the Plate and a difficult tie with Fiji, who had earlier lost to Australia 29-28 and had something to prove to their fans.
In the event the pacific islanders did just that with a dazzling display of running and supporting skills to score three tries, two by Apisai Naiyabo and one by Seremaia Burotu in the first half for a 15-0 lead at the break.
Fortunately for the game and for their own confidence, Wales were able to break the Fijian defence with clever handling that resulted in a try for Lloyd Williams. But it only stirred the Fijians into scoring mode once more, producing a converted try for Randall Kamea and a 22-5 lead.
As full time approached, Wales found the strength to launch an attack that finished with Williams crossing for his second try and a final scoreline of 22-10.
Overall, Samoa extended their lead over New Zealand in the race for the World Series title although neither reached the Cup Final. That was contested between Australia and South Africa with the Wallabies emerging winners by 19-14.
Wales Sevens squad : Jevon Groves (captain, Cross Keys), Rhys Shellard (Cardiff), Ifan Evans (Llandovery), Craig Hill (Newport), Lee Beach (London Welsh), Lee Rees (Scarlets Academy), Alex Walker (Dragons), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Rhys Jones (Cornish Pirates), Gareth Davies (Cardiff), Lloyd Williams (Blues), Alex Cuthbert (UWIC)
Emirates Airline London Sevens results day two
Cup quarter-finals Argentina 27 Wales 14, Australia 29 Fiji 28, South Africa 17 England 12, New Zealand 10 Samoa 19
Semi-finals Argentina 14 Australia 26, South Africa 24 Samoa 12
Final Australia 19 South Africa 14
Plate semi-finals Wales 10 Fiji 22, England 19 New Zealand 22
Final Fiji 24 New Zealand 26
Bowl quarter-finals Italy 0 Portugal 41, Scotland 21 France 12, Canada 21 Russia 12, Kenya 10 USA 19
Semi finals Portugal 24 Scotland 19, Canada 22 USA 17 (after extra time)
Final Portugal 17 Canada 19
Shield semi-finals France 29 Italy 7, Russia 17 Kenya 21
Final France 21 Kenya 24