Drama Dominates Dubai
With the Dubai crowd still taking in the shock of watching Wales knock out New Zealand in the first iRB World Cup Quarter Final England took the field against Samoa. From the earliest exchanges it was clear that Samoa were on their game and looking to make their first ever World Cup Semi Final. Though and early try was canceled by a long range effort from England flyer Vardell two further goals gave Samoa a deserved 21 - 7 half time lead. The second half turned out to be a classic. First Ollie Phillips had a try ruled as a knock on however it didn't prove costly as England scored from the resultant score, then Engalnd scored wide out to bring the score back to 21 - 19 before Samoa scored again and surprisingly missed the conversion to hold a 26 - 19 lead. With full time approaching England coach made a double substitution which included bringing on Navy Chef Josh Draininiu. Josh made an immediate impact with a couple of good runs but it all seemed to be too little too late as the clocked ticked towards full time. With the ball out of play the Samoan's thought time was up but referee Adams ruled there was time for the lineout. With the ball secured by Army star Isoa Damu the ball was moved out to Josh who effortlessly stepped his man to score under the posts. A Gollings routine conversion put the game in to sudden death. Early pressure from England bode well but with a breakdown Samoa quickly turned defence in to attack and set up a mini ruck 5m out. With the ball scrappy but secured they threw the ball wide but missed the man. England stopped believeing perhaps it had gone forward only for Samoa to pick up the ball, one pass and to score under the posts and proceed to their first Semi Final. In the third Quarter Final Argentina came from behind to beat the well backed and fancied South African VII. Three QFs played and England, New Zealand and South Africa all out of the World Cup. With the Olympic Committee at Dubai to look at the possible inclusion of VII's rugby in the Olympics they are certainly watching a sport than produces its fair share of excitement and upset from players who are some of the best athletes in the world. The final Quarter Final saw Kenya take on reigning iRB Sevens World Cup champions Fiji. Could we see a fourth upset? The answer was a resounding yesas Kenya built on their 7 - 0 first half lead to send Fiji crashing 26 - 7. Who would have thought it. The semi final lineout Wales v Samoa and Argentina v Kenya. Four continents represented and the guarantee of a new name on the Melrose Cup. Are you watching IOC?