The Las Vegas Sevens tournament marks the mid-point in the HSBC Sevens World Series and for Scotland 7s head coach Graham Shiel it’s another opportunity to reach the team’s goal of a first Cup quarter-final.
Preparations are going well in the Nevada desert and Shiel reports an air of optimism ahead of the weekend’s competition, when the Scots will take on Kenya, England and Brazil in Pool D.
Shiel said: “We’re half way through the series now, so it’s a big weekend for us. We took a lot of positives away from Wellington, particularly against the hosts.
“The players are working hard and showing a lot of character in their play but the key now is to add another seven minutes to our game. We were seven points up against New Zealand at half-time and showing a lot of strength, but we let it slip in the second-half.
“There is never an easy group on the circuit, but I’m optimistic about taking on Kenya, England and Brazil over the weekend. We must play to our potential and take control of every game.
“We have played Kenya twice this year; we won the first time and lost the second. This will always be a challenging match but we have to target it as a must win match.
“England are consistent in the top three this year, but as ever there is always a bit of added competition playing them, we have developed and can certainly compete. Finally, Brazil are unknown but we have two matches where we can get a look at them before we play them.”
Scotland Sevens will play Kenya at (1.28am) GMT and England 4.46am on Saturday 11 February. They will then complete the group stage against Brazil at 8pm (GMT) that night before moving into the Cup or Bowl quarter-finals, early on Sunday morning.
As well as running through set plays and training as normal for the next round of competition the team have made time to visit Anthony Saville Middle School, delivering a rugby session and helping out with P.E.
Shiel explained: “The players really enjoyed visiting the school and all got stuck in. For the young guys it was a new experience, but it’s good to go out and do something a little bit different and promote the sevens.”
Amidst all the preparations for the weekend’s tournament Shiel, has had to call on the services of back-row Graham Fisken to join the team in Las Vegas as James Eddie has been forced to return home with an injury.
Eddie hurt his shoulder in the first game of the second day in Wellington against Kenya.
Shiel concluded: “We’re disappointed to have lost James; he has been an important part of our squad in every tournament of the series so far.  We wish him all the best with his recovery.
“I’m delighted to bring Graham in though; he has experience on the HSBC Sevens World Series circuit and understands the demand of sevens. He was involved last year and performed really well, but was unfortunate to receive an injury early on in the season. ”
Scotland 7s squad for Las Vegas legs of the HSBC Sevens World Series: Hamish Watson, *Graham Fisken, Adam Ashe, *Scott Riddell (pictured), Michael Fedo, Sean Kennedy, *Fraser Harkness, Colin Gregor (captain), Kerr Gossman, Byron McGuigan, James Fleming , Andrew Turnbull
*sportscotland institute supported
Emirates Airline Glasgow 7s tickets on sale now:
The Emirates Airline Glasgow 7s is the penultimate leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series and will take place at Scotstoun Stadium for the first time this year on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 May.
Early Bird tickets for the Emirates Airline Glasgow 7s are on sale now at the price of just £10 for those who buy before the end of the RBS 6 Nations (17 March). All concessions are at half the equivalent adult price.  Tickets will be sold for particular stands and designated days, with two-day ‘weekend’ tickets also available. Click here to buy your tickets now.
 
For more information on the tournament and for the latest news on Scotland 7s visit www.glasgow7s.com and follow us on Twitter @Glasgow7s.

This article was posted on 9-Feb-2012, 17:28 by Hugh Barrow.