BOWL FINAL
ZIMBABWE 17-14 IRELAND
Coach Liam Middleton (ZIM)
On winning the Bowl final against Ireland:
“Words can’t explain it really. We have worked really hard for this and it’s just amazing to win it. When they scored that second try I thought they were going to win it but we did it.”
On being the only African country to win a trophy at RWC Sevens 2009:
“We have come a long way. We didn’t qualify for some of the previous World Cups and next to that we had only won one game leading up to this, so to come through and win the Bowl is pretty amazing for us.
“I think for us to have come this far is a really proud moment for everyone. I think everyone, from family to friends to the whole country, was behind us and that was great. The supporters have been great. They are an amazing bunch of people and they have paid to come out here and that is very great of them.”
On whether the tournament will have helped Sevens' bid to become an Olympic sport:
“It all bodes well for the Olympic decision. It has been great here all the way through. The upsets today have been amazing and for a small nation like Zimbabwe to come through and win is awesome for the event.”
Captain Kieron Campbell (IRE)
On the Irish performance in the Bowl final:
"It's been a fantastic event. We were all buzzing going into the final. Unfortunately, maybe we were a bit too over-hyped. We made a few silly errors. It really does expose you in this game. It cost us dearly."
On playing in Dubai:
"It's certainly a lot warmer and there is a wee bit more of a carnival atmosphere. I've played in some good venues but this one has been fantastic. All the lads have really enjoyed it and it's just unfortunate we did not get the result we wanted at the end there. But it's been a great learning curve over the last few days and I feel we have entertained the people as well."
On how the tournament has helped Sevens' Olympic push:
"Massively. It's been fantastic - crowds fantastic, excitement, even with developing nations coming through, it's not been a one- or two-horse race which everyone expected. The main event has come down to two teams that I don't think anyone would have picked at the start of the tournament, so I think it's a great opportunity to showcase the event and get it towards the Olympics, definitely."
BOWL SEMI FINALS
IRELAND 22-15 HONG KONG
Brian Carney (IRE)
On his two-try effort in the second half:
"They (his team-mates) have done all the hard work - coming on at the end is the easy part. It's tough going in this weather."
ZIMBABWE 24-7 URUGUAY
Coach Liam Middleton (ZIM)
On whether he expected to make the Bowl final (after defeating Uruguay in the semi final):
"Not really expected but something we set our sights on. It's a fantastic feeling to get there. Only six teams will make it to a final today and there's been a lot of teams knocked out so far. It's a great achievement so far but we are not done yet."
On whether they had achieved their aim of making their country proud:
"I think we are one step away from it. So far our supporters would be pretty proud of us but we have got to go through and perform in this final. I think if we do that we will make our country proud."
BOWL QUARTER FINALS
HONG KONG 14-7 ITALY
Keith Robertson (HKG)
On beating Italy:
"We hadn't won a game in this World Cup until now so obviously to get a win has been one of our goals all week. We come in realistically not vying for the Cup but to get a win over a side like Italy is a definite plus."
On the Bowl semi-final against Ireland:
"They are going to be bigger than us, which is the case with most teams. Actually, one of our team-mates went to school with one of their players so we have had a bit of friendly banter with them the entire week, so to finally play them is going to be a bit of a fight."
On how he feels during an intense tournament such as this:
"Against these big teams it takes it out of you, especially for me. I am quite small, you get beaten up a bit and it is hard to get up in the morning and come and play again. But in the World Cup, it gives you extra adrenaline that you have to have."
IRELAND 24-5 ARABIAN GULF
Captain Kieron Campbell (IRE)
On the victory:
"It was a physical and hard enough contest there, particularly in the first half, and a lot of our lads are very tired from yesterday, hence why a lot of the old lads are getting a run out today. The boys found that tough in the first half. We were pushed and we just needed to keep a better shape in the second half and we got some good scores. But all credit to those boys - they pushed us hard."
Captain Steve Cooper (AER)
On their first experience of a RWC Sevens:
"We might have lacked the talent and the speed of other international sides but we made up for it in the courage and the guts of the boys, so we're very pleased."
On playing in front of the home crowd:
"Words can't really describe it - just very privileged and extremely proud of the people that backed us the last nine months. Thank you very much to them. This is a great way of saying thanks to them."
JAPAN 12-19 URUGUAY
Captain Ignacio Conti (URU)
On how he feels about his team's first RWC Sevens win:
"Very well. We were looking forward to this one."
On how the team achieved the win over Japan:
"I think that we played 100 per cent today to our (plan), like we have to play the other matches."
On their Bowl semi-final opponent Zimbabwe, who they lost to 28-24 in Friday's pool match:
"The match was very close. We were sleepy in the first minutes of the match so I think it (will be) a very good match and we can win it."
ZIMBABWE 28-10 GEORGIA
Captain Jacques Leitao
On the Zimbabwe win against Georgia:
"It's always nice to get that first win in the morning so we're happy with the result."
On their game plan:
"We had a game plan against them to just hold them off, stick with our patience and it paid off."
On the standout players for Zimbabwe:
"Well, there is obviously Gerald Sibanda on the wing and obviously Wesley Mbanje, one of the quickest players on the park for us, so it's always good to see them running."
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