Light workload won't weigh against Tunisia
By Tom Chick
From Dubai
Tunisia might not be one of the core IRB Sevens World Series sides but head coach Danie de Villiers believes their preparation for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 could give them an upper hand in the pool stage.
The squad arrived in Dubai on Sunday having spent the past week in Portugal and have three training sessions before they kick off against Kenya in Pool E on Thursday.
Tunisia qualified for the RWC Sevens on home soil in November but have had limited competitive match time since, featuring only in the George leg of the World Series in December.
But the lack of match action has meant the Tunisians have had more time to focus on aspects of the game that de Villiers feels will prove vital for success in the RWC Sevens.
“Not playing on the World Series means we are way behind in terms of the exposure other teams get. But we have had two months' preparation for this World Cup which other teams have not,” said South African de Villiers.
“Since Hong Kong last year the next IRB tournament we took part in was George in December. I was amazed at how the game of Sevens has picked up in terms of fitness, conditioning and from a skills point of view.
“This meant we could really focus on these sides of our game and the intensity and fitness required we now feel confident with. We knew we had to up the tempo and we like to think we are well prepared. But only time will tell.”
Giant killers
Tunisia will be remembered for the shock defeat they inflicted on South Africa in the opening game of the RWC 2005. As well as fellow African qualifiers Kenya, Tunisia will face England and Hong Kong in Pool E.
Having lost to England in their pool in George the former head coach of Currie Cup side the Pumas will be hoping to make amends this time around and potentially cause another upset.
“I don’t want to look too far ahead, with Kenya our first priority. But it is hard to look past Friday morning when we play England,” added de Villiers.
“They are one of the favourites for the tournament let alone the pool and hopefully we will give them a better run for their money than in George and make them sweat a bit more. The other three teams in our pool will all have a go at each other and I don’t think there will be any easy games or pools.
“There are a few teams walking around with favourites' tags but they cannot look at this tournament and say games will be easy, especially with what has happened in the last few tournaments. I have a funny feeling a small team will come through – this is a step up and every team will want to be competitive, and our guys will be right up there.
“It is awesome being here. The stadium is very impressive and the feeling surrounding it is unbelievable. The way things are being organised I think it will be one hell of a World Cup.”
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