Tuesday, March 10, 2009
England and Samoa's great Sevens quarter final
One of the best games of the tournament came in the Quarter Final stages as England and Samoa battled it out an epic match that went to sudden death extra time.
Samoa scored early but it was the in form Tom Varndell who answered back from the restart with a trademark try. Samoa scored again, taking the score to 21-7 at the break.
Varndell scored another try shortly afterwards with a fantastic step before gassing it to the corner. Samoa came back with another try, before Ollie Phillips touched down, taking the score to 26-19 to Samoa.
As the buzzer went for full time, it looked as though Samoa had won the match, but a controversial decision meant that the lineout was to be played, which resulted in England scoring through Josh Drauniniu, taking the game into extra time at 26-26.
In sudden death it was stalwart Ben Gollings who somehow made a terrible choice to not pick up a loose ball, resulting in Samoa scoring first and winning this classic match of Sevens rugby.
Time: 07:07
Note: We'll get footage of the final up for you as soon as possible.
Posted at 10:15 am | 30 comments
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Viewing 30 comments
Random March 10, 2009 1:54 pm
I was there, I remember that match clearly and I was joyful when Samoa scored the winning try. Quite dissapointed as they got beaten in the semis though.
Anonymous March 10, 2009 1:57 pm
Poor Ben Gollings. He's going to be wincing every time he thinks of that for years.
Abs7 March 10, 2009 2:15 pm
not a good year for english rugby again.. oh well never mind, any chance of seeing some of the wales games on here RD..much love
Yousef1490 March 10, 2009 2:27 pm
Wow a school boy error by gollings cant believe he stood there watching it!Guess Samoa deserved it, afterall they should have won when the ball was kicked out.
Anonymous March 10, 2009 2:32 pm
Varndell should be playing for the full England team. Simple as that
Anonymous March 10, 2009 2:56 pm
defence isnt good enough. if the rumours be true and he could go to wasps then he'll be good to go
Anonymous March 10, 2009 3:15 pm
Varndell is good at 7's cause he's a terific runner, but in Union it's not all about running...
Kevin March 10, 2009 3:22 pm
varndell is gross. he should be in the full squad ahead of strettle.
Ted March 10, 2009 5:13 pm
Varndell's had plenty of opportunities but hasn't taken them. There are loads of wingers ahead of him in the queue now. Strange thing about English rugby, we've always had plenty of quality wingers, but too few quality 10/12/13s to put them into space.
Anonymous March 10, 2009 5:56 pm
Why didn't Gollings pick up the ball? Has he been interviewed about it?
iceman! March 10, 2009 6:04 pm
Varndell has been capped 4 times for England scored 3 tries. Doesn't sound bad, and he would have been first choice for England this year but Meyer's style at Leicester really didn't suit him.Now Tigers are playing more expansive rugby, I hope he'll start destroying teams again. You don't be top scorer in the premiership for 2 out of the last 3 seasons for nothing. As a tigers fan, I'll be gutted if he moves - he'll definately come back and haunt us.Yes 15s is about more tha running, but this shows you what he can do in space. He's just awesome.
Anonymous March 10, 2009 6:28 pm
Why was the lineout retaken?Also Gollings should have gone down on it - what did he think had happened? He could have won it for England, there was no Samoan midfield. Any idea?Scottishnutjob
Anonymous March 10, 2009 6:28 pm
Why was the lineout retaken?Also Gollings should have gone down on it - what did he think had happened? He could have won it for England, there was no Samoan midfield. Any idea?Scottishnutjob
Jim March 10, 2009 9:20 pm
varndell had his chance with england and got destroyed by tuqiri everytime... i remember it well
mentallymadmax March 10, 2009 11:15 pm
Varndell has 4 England caps and 3 tries. Cant be bad.The only reason that he isn't in the England squad is because he for some reason isn't getting ANY game time at Leicester.Hopefully he should get on against Bristol though, so that he can have a shot in Leicesters now firing backline.
islandstylin March 10, 2009 11:42 pm
is there a difference between 7's and 15's concerning kicking the ball into touch? if not, game should've been over at the full.well too bad we lost in the semi's.. 7's is all we have to look forward to.. GO THE MANU.. sevens that is!!!
iceman! March 11, 2009 1:21 am
"varndell had his chance with england and got destroyed by tuqiri everytime"What a stupid comment - Varndell was 20 and making his 1st start for England. He knows he got owned by Tuqiri. But he still managed to skin him twice a match, and score. And apparently that should have been his chance over?OK let's not play Matthew Tait because he got owned by Henson in his 1st game.Agree with mentallymadmax, he has had no game time recently, and needs a chance to show what he can do. With injuries and (no disrespect) a slightly easier match, he can hopefully start against Bristol.
Anonymous March 11, 2009 1:30 am
Gollings was offside and it was advantage to Samoa, Gollings took a punt by not touching the ball to fasten the advantage along but it didn't work out for him. He should've just killed the play, just to be safe.
jamestheconvict March 11, 2009 11:09 am
great game of 7'sVarndell looks good minus 8 players on the pitch rugby is more than just running with the ball
Random March 11, 2009 1:54 pm
South Africa didn't make it through to the quarter-finals. All the big teams, South Africa, New Zealand, England and Fiji got knocked out in the quarter-finals.
Snijkoek March 11, 2009 2:23 pm
Gollingswas indeed offside, probably through a knock on from his teammate at the previoustackle/ruck. You can see the ref telling Gollings he is offside and not to touch the ball. Killing it anyways wouldve normally been the option, but not in suddend eath in front of your posts.3 points wouldve done it...Just unfortunate ending, but they had their chances before that...
Anonymous March 11, 2009 6:30 pm
Many great players prove their pedigree in sevens; Lomu, Cullen, Campese, England seem to have an aversion to taking a chance on naturally giftee athletes who do not fit the mold; Varndell, Foden, Banahan.Everyone said Lomu could not kick, catch the high ball ir defend either. He couldn't and man did he suck (note the sarcasm).
Anonymous March 11, 2009 11:35 pm
Gollings - play the whistle. Varndell - impressive gas.Wales - 7s World Champions butt.
Anonymous March 12, 2009 6:14 am
I am not going to blame Gollings, teh advantage was obviously for England diving over the ruck and tapping the ball. (see ref's hand when he said advantage)Gollings must have known that. left it because if he took it, Samoa would have a penalty. With the class of their kicker they would have scored 3 points, won the sudden death extra time.Guess he try to leave for Samoa to pick up, then tackle. he just didn't do the latter part, or no support in D so ball just went wide. 2 or 3 on 1 in 7s at that level. that close to the line.Fair play Goll
Anonymous March 12, 2009 12:19 pm
Varndel has a greta turn of pace and did indeed beat Tuqiri a couple times with pace.The problem, and the reason he didn't keep his spot, was that in terms of physicality he got absolutley dominated by Tuqiri. I doubt he will ever live down the shame of when he intentionally ran the ball out of play and conceded the turn over becuase he didn't want to run at Tuqiri again. That was pretty bad.He could be good though, the reason Tuqiri went and out and smashed him was because Varndel had beat him for pace the game before and Tuqiri had a point to prove. Tuqiri said as much in the paper.So great attacking player in the open, but needs to harden the fuck up.
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