There was to be no repeat of Scotland's trophy success in Dubai, in Hong Kong earlier today as the side was roundly beaten by fellow quarter finalists, Tonga. Tonga stormed to a 17-0 half-time lead with three tries, one converted, before sealing the game off with two further tries in the second period, one converted. In the Cup competition, both New Zealand and England were seen off at the quarter final stage by Kenya and Fiji respectively. The latter side went on to win the Cup while Tonga beat Canada to lift the Plate and Portugal took the Bowl title. After the game, Scotland 7s coach Stephen Gemmell said: “It was very disappointing. We couldn’t match the physicality of their game with our usual failing of not being able to make crucial tackles.
“We were always under pressure and that fed into our attacking game where we were tentative on the ball. You can’t afford to do that against a very physical island side.
“We now need to move onto Adelaide where we face three different teams in Fiji, Argentina and France. We know their physicality will be massive so we need to get our heads switched on to play that type of game.”
Scotland 7s team v Tonga: Scott Forrest (Ayr)* CAPTAIN, Roddy Grant (West of Scotland)*, Andrew Easson (Edinburgh), Jamie Hunter (West of Scotland)*, Calum MacRae (Edinburgh), Jim Thompson (Edinburgh), Hefin O’Hare (Glasgow Warriors)
Replacements: Graham Hogg (Hawick)* for Easson, Chris Kinloch (Glasgow Warriors) for Thompson, Tom Bury (Boroughmuir)** for O’Hare
Scotland 7s squad (sponsor Murray) to compete at the IRB Sevens World Series events in Hong Kong (27-29 March) and Adelaide (3-5 April): Scott Forrest (Ayr)* CAPTAIN, Tom Bury (Boroughmuir)**, Alex Dunbar (Selkirk)*, Andrew Easson (Edinburgh), Roddy Grant (West of Scotland)*, Graham Hogg (Hawick)*, Jamie Hunter (West of Scotland)*, Chris Kinloch (Glasgow Warriors), Calum MacRae (Edinburgh), Hefin O’Hare (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Riddell (Blaydon), Jim Thompson (Edinburgh)
* = Member of Scottish Rugby’s Contracted National Academy
** = Member of Scottish Rugby’s Area Institute Supported National Academy |
