Wales crash out of Dubai Sevens

29 November 2008, 11:36 am

By WRU

Wales crashed out of the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens Bowl quarter finals aftera disappointing 24-0 defeat to Portugal in the second group of matches.

Coach Paul John described his side’s display as “Their worst of the tournament”, adding “We didn’t protect the ball and we missed too many one-on-one tackles.

“We played well in our opening game on day one against New Zealand, we disappointed against Australia and then picked ourselves up against Zimbabwe.

“I was happy with our game against Arabian Gulf in the quarter final of the Bowl but against Portugal we simply lost our defensive shape” stated John, who has the task of remotivating his new-look side for next week’s South Africa Sevens in the southern coastal town of George.

Wales had been hopeful of matching Portugal but in the event the Iberians, with six of their fifteens World Cup side appearing at Dubai, were too slick and pacy for Wales albeit that they led by just 5-0 at the break with a try from Diogu Mateus.

But two tries in the second half from twin brother David and a fourth from their classy scrum half Pedro Leal gave Portugal an eventual 24-0 win and a place in the Bowl final.

Wales Sevens Squad : James Merriman (capt, Neath), David Flanagan (Blues), James Lewis (Dragons), Tal Selley (Dragons), Jimmy Norris (Dragons), Jason Tove y (Dragons), Rhodri McAtee (Cornish Pirates), Dave Evans (Neath), Tom Isaacs (Newport), Damien Welch (Cardiff), Chris Davies (Aberavon), Craig Hill (Newport)