Wales became the second nation to join hosts Germany at the European men’s qualifier for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 after beating Ukraine 45-5 in the fourth of seven FIRA European events leading to the final in Hanover on 12-13 July.
The only European core member of the IRB Sevens World Series needing to qualify for the tournament in Dubai, Wales followed up their victory in the opening FIRA European Sevens event in Odense with another impressive display in Tbilisi.
Wales, featuring many of the players who had reached the Cup semi-finals of the IRB Sevens World Series finale in Edinburgh the previous weekend, conceded only three tries across their six matches in Georgia.
Cyprus were the only side to score against Wales on day one, losing 36-7 before Gareth Baber’s side defeated Bulgaria 50-0, hosts Georgia 22-0 and Israel 26-0 to top Pool 2 and set up a semi-final with Moldova, the Pool 1 runners up.
Wales overcame Moldova 28-5 in the first semi-final with Pool 1 winners Ukraine denying Georgia a spot in the final on home soil with a 14-0 victory, but the victory came at a cost with the Welsh left with only seven fit players for that encounter.
Squad effort crucial for Wales
“To win both tournaments put us in the best possible position we could achieve and to concede only three tries here in Georgia was a massive plus and shows the way we are trying to play,” said Baber.
“It all bodes well for Hanover next month and this weekend was all about a great squad effort when we ended up with only seven fit players for the final.
“However, Andy Powell was a massive threat with the ball in hand and Lee Williams, Martin Roberts and James Merriman were also outstanding considering what huge demands the players have been under over the last few weeks.”
Georgia bounced back from their semi-final disappointment to beat Moldova 24-7 in the third place playoff, while Latvia finished fifth after beating Greece 27-10, Cyprus edged Israel 12-7 for seventh and Bulgaria beat Azerbaijan 26-21 for ninth.
The three remaining FIRA European Sevens events leading into the Hanover qualifier take place in Ostrava on 14-15 June, Corfu the following weekend and then in Moscow on 28-29 June.
