Blitzboks aim to deliver blockbuster in LA
THE Springbok Sevens are ready to put last season’s disappointing display at the Los Angeles Sevens behind them to reach their goal of another tournament win on the World Rugby Sevens Series.
In California last year the Blitzboks failed to get out of the group stages and subsequently missed out on a place in the quarter-final.
It was also at this tournament that Australia pipped them on the overall log to become the eventual winners of the 2021/2022 World Rugby Sevens Series.
The Blitzboks won’t let the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and California distract them from doing their job on-field, although some of them did visit the famous sign on their day off this week.
But they know they have their work cut out for them if they want to come out trumps in the States. They sit second on the overall series log behind the All Blacks 7s.
Today they face Canada (9.49pm) before taking on Uruguay (1.02pm) and Ireland (5.03am) early tomorrow in Pool B for a place in the quarter-final.
Impi Visser, playing in his 27th tournament, knows it’s going to be vital for the forwards to dominate from kick-off which will in turn create opportunities for the Blitzboks’ talented backs.
“We need to lay the foundation for the backs to play,” he said. “If we do our jobs well, the backs will prosper.
“A school coach of mine used to say the forwards need to carry the piano and put it down for the backs to play, and it is pretty much the same principle here. If we bring them energy, they will certainly play the piano.”
The toughest pool match for the team will most likely be against Ireland.
The Irish have improved significantly and achieved third place at last year’s Sevens World Cup in Cape Town.
The Blitzboks have some fleetfooted runners that can be devastating on the attack.
The likes of Ronald Brown and Ricardo Duarttee, both outstanding playmakers, should provide the spark amongst the backs.
After injuring himself in Sydney, Visser will play with a specially designed mask and a scrum cap at Dignity Health Sports Park.
“It is all for the greater cause – the commitment from the team is such that no one will leave anything on the field,” he said about the injuries and protective gear.
“We are not scared to do that for the team. There were some bumps and bruises carried over from the Sydney tournament, but we are all fit, have been cleared to play and we are ready to do it all over again.”