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New dad Damu set for USA Sevens
Thursday February 9, 2012
Issued by Simon Mills


Isoa Damudamu in action against New Zealand in the Wellington semi final



Isoa Damudamu has a new opponent to tackle once England have concluded their title challenge for this weekend’s USA Sevens.

The Fijian-born centre took part in last weekend’s Hertz Sevens in Wellington seven days after the birth of his son Sela.



He’ll return to help his wife Pasimaca raise their three children after the Las Vegas tournament, in which England face Brazil, Scotland and Kenya in the pool stages on February 10 and 11.



“There were mixed emotions about leaving the family as we’ve got two young ones already under five but we’ve been in touch a lot on the phone and Skype,” said Damudamu



“In a way I can’t wait to get back and I know I’m going to be busy!”



Damu’s switch from forward to centre – where his creative skills and 6ft 5in frame can do maximum damage - has been one eye-catching part of England’s success in a season which has seen them take the Dubai title then reach semi finals in Port Elizabeth and Wellington.



Their last outing in the HSBC Sevens World Series saw them beat Samoa 21-12 in the third-place play-off following an agonising 17-12 semi final exit in sudden-death extra time at the hands of hosts New Zealand.



England are now third in the series rankings, nine points behind New Zealand, who they could meet again at the quarter final or semi final stage this weekend.



The made-for-TV format of the USA tournament sees the sides play two games per day on February 10, 11 and 12. England take on 2016 Olympic hosts Brazil (Friday 00.50 GMT) and Scotland (03.46) on day one, Kenya (Friday 20.28) and a potential quarter final (Saturday 00.52 or 01.26) on day two, before the final knock-out stages.



“We missed some opportunities and it didn’t go according to plan in sudden death but we played really well last week and I hope we can carry it forward this weekend,” said Damudamu.



“It’s my first time here and I’d heard a lot about Vegas, the bright lights and the casinos. We’re staying in Planet Hollywood which is right in the middle and is quite a busy place. It’s totally different to what I’m used to but I don’t want it to take away my focus for the weekend.



He added: “Brazil we’ve never played before, so how they’ll be you never know but if we play to our strengths it should be okay.



“Kenya are dark horses – last week they played pretty well [beating Australia and Scotland], many of their best guys are back and there’s pace throughout their team. Scotland are tough every time we play them, there’s a big rivalry and they seem to save their best for us.”



As well as those increased family commitments, Damudamu will return to work as a lance-corporal in the British Army, serving in the Port and Maritime Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps in Southampton.



England head coach Ben Ryan said: “We’ve got a close relationship with the British Army and it’s great that in the professional international game a team like England can still have military personnel involved – he’s a great ambassador for them and us.



“Damu’s been central to a lot of things we do in attack and defence, we’ve been working hard to make sure he’s fit and long may that continue. The move to centre and all the effort in the gym is paying off.”

Tickets are now available for the London Sevens weekend on 12th & 13th May 2012, with weekend passes starting from £30, single day tickets from £18 and kids tickets at £5 each day. Visit Ticketmaster.co.uk or call 0844 847 2492. (Tickets are subject to availability and booking fees apply).

Saturday February 11, 2012
Issued by Simon Mills

Dan Norton scored four tries in two games

England scored a last-minute winner with only six players on the field to beat Scotland 12-7 and advance to the quarter finals of the USA Sevens in Las Vegas.

The scores were level when leading try scorer Dan Norton - who scored four tries in today's two games - was sent off for an alleged trip. He was cleared at a later disciplinary hearing and the charge rescinded.

But despite going a man down England kept their cool and Christian Lewis-Pratt scored the winning try inside the last 30 seconds.

Earlier England beat Brazil 29-5 and will take on Kenya in the final group game with New Zealand or Samoa their likely quarter final opponents.

"We'd actually played pretty well against Scotland but it was just a couple of small errors that stopped us getting away," said Lewis-Pratt. "We then got a penalty in the last 30 seconds, Mat Turner made a half-break and I came inside and scored. We probably should have put them to bed earlier."

Earlier, former Gloucester and Bristol wing Norton's hat-trick, tries from Tom Mitchell (Oxford Univ) and Tom Powell, and a conversion from Marcus Watson (Saracens) helped England cruise past Brazil, who were making their debut in the HSBC Sevens World Series.

Felipe Claro scored a first series try for the South Americans, who will host rugby's return to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in four years' time.

Norton then took his tally to 21 for the season with the opening score against Scotland, former Leeds Carnegie fly half Lewis-Pratt converting.

Sean Kennedy's try and a Colin Gregor conversion levelled things up before Norton's dismissal, but England recovered to win a penalty - running rather than kicking at goal - and moved the ball from left to right with Turner creating the opening for Lewis-Pratt's switch and stretch to the line.

England face Kenya on day two at 21.28 GMT today and will go into a quarter final at 01.52 or 02.36 GMT on Sunday morning as a result

Earlier Scotland lost 17-14 to Kenya, Kennedy scoring both their tries, and they face Brazil on day two.

Wales could still claim a place in the last eight after beating France 14-12 with tries from Richard Smith and Lee Williams with two Alex Walker conversions.

Williams and Rhys Shellard touched down in their 29-12 defeat at the hands of South Africa but a Wales win against Uruguay coupled with a South African win over France would put them through.

Sunday February 12, 2012
Issued by Simon Mills

England went down 12-7 against New Zealand at the quarter final stage of the USA Sevens in Las Vegas.

It was the third time in three tournaments they have exited the cup competition at the hands of the HSBC Sevens World Series champions - each time by a single score.

New Zealand struck in the opening minute through Frank Halai only to be overtaken shortly before the interval when former Bristol and Gloucester wing Dan Norton grabbed his 22nd try of the season with Saracens' Marcus Watson converting.

Then Tomasi Cama converted his own try two minutes into the second half and England couldn't find a way ahead in another tight finish.

The result sends them into tomorrow's Plate semi final against Argentina looking to pick up as many points as possible towards the overall title race.

Earlier England were held to the 7-7 draw by Kenya in the final Pool D match having beaten Brazil (29-5) and Scotland (17-12) on day one.

Lavin Asego's early try and conversion put Kenya ahead in the first half, then Tom Mitchell replied - Watson converting.

The result saw Kenya top the group on points difference, earning themselves a quarter final date with Samoa and sending England into a last eight clash with the Pool A leaders.

Wales beat Uruguay 28-7 in their final pool match with two tries from Kristian Phillips and one apiece from Harry Robinson and Richard Smith - but were halted at the quarter final stage by Fiji.

Smith gave them the lead but Setefano Cakau struck twice to secure a 12-7 win and Wales now face Kenya in the other Plate semi.

Scotland were beaten 15-14 by Japan in the Bowl quarter final despite James Fleming's two tries after an earlier 33-5 win against Brazil and now take on Uruguay in the Shield competition tomorrow.

Sunday February 12, 2012
Issued by Simon Mills


England picked up 10 points in the race for the HSBC Sevens World Series title after their run at the USA Sevens ended in a Plate semi final defeat against Argentina.

They trailed 21-7 at one point and despite late tries from substitute Tom Mitchell and forward Chris Cracknell finished on the wrong end of a 21-19 scoreline at the Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.

Samoa took the title courtesy of a 26-19 extra time win over New Zealand in the final.

The result leaves England in fourth place in the series behind New Zealand, Fiji and South Africa, and head coach Ben Ryan was left rueing missed chances in the 12-7 quarter final reverse against the Kiwis.

His side will now regroup before heading for a traditional stronghold in Hong Kong (March 23-25) and a new venue in Tokyo (March 31-April 1). The final two events are in Glasgow (May 5-6) and London (May 12-13).

England had finished third at the Hertz Sevens in Wellington the previous week, where New Zealand beat them by a single score in the semi final.

"After what was one of our best performances ever in terms of what we did on the pitch in Wellington, we weren't firing, we looked a bit lethargic and we didn't stick to our game plan,” said Ryan.

"One large factor is the travel with the Northern Hemisphere teams but that's not an excuse and we had chances to win every game we played in, but the margins are so fine here.

"There are lots of things we can work on and we've got to remember it's the mid-way point and there are four tournaments left. If I was feeling really positive, you win the next four tournaments - you win the World Series.

"Nothing is totally won or lost but you can't get away from the fact that the last 24 hours are a bit of a body blow, particularly last night not taking our chances against New Zealand. That's certainly put us on the back foot for the rest of the year.”

In the group stages England beat Brazil (29-5) and Scotland (12-7) before a 7-7 draw against Kenya pitched them into a quarter final against New Zealand where Dan Norton's try and a Marcus Watson conversion put them 7-5 up before Tomasi Cama's second half try settled the game.

Norton scored his sixth try of the tournament - he lies second in the series table with 23 - in the first half against Argentina but England were playing catch-up after Nicolas Bruzzone's opener and two tries from Agustin Migliore.

Oxford University student Mitchell came off the bench to get his third try of the tournament and Cracknell's score came in the final moments of the match.

Elsewhere Wales also exited the tournament at the same Plate semi final stage after a 22-14 defeat at the hands of Kenya - Richard Smith and Kristian Phillips touching down.

Scotland were 40-12 winners against Uruguay in the Shield semi final - Andrew Turnbull leading the way with a hat-trick of tries - but lost the final 22-7 against France. Graham Fisken scored their first-half try.

HSBC Sevens World Series standings (Top 10): 1 New Zealand 92pts, 2 Fiji 87, 3 South Africa 76, 4 England 74, 5 Samoa 69, 6 Australia, France 52, 8 Wales 51, 9 Argentina 45, 10 Canada 30.

Tickets are now available for the London Sevens weekend on 12th & 13th May 2012, with weekend passes starting from £30, single day tickets from £18 and kids tickets at £5 each day. Visit Ticketmaster.co.uk or call 0844 847 2492. (Tickets are subject to availability and booking fees apply).