Carlin Isles will be on everyone’s radar at the World Club 7s and DHL Western Province manager Bobby Joubert is no different, admitting the USA speedster could make life tricky for his side at Twickenham this weekend.
Isles – dubbed the fastest man in world rugby – returns to Twickenham for a second crack at the World Club 7s on August 16-17, this time with New York City.
***CLICK HERE for tickets to the World Club 7s – from just £10***
As well as lining up alongside local boys Harlequins and Siberian outfit RC Enisei in Pool A this weekend, New York will meet DHL Western Province, a side determined to improve on their 2013 showing.
After finishing fourth in their pool, DHL WP eventually beat Northampton Saints 31-7 to avoid ending the weekend bottom of the pile.
Joubert admits the competition will be equally fierce this time around and there are plenty of stumbling blocks on day one – most notably Isles himself.
“In our group New York will be tough as they are quick and Carlin Isles’ speed seems to get them a try or two every game,” said the DHL WP 7s team manager from London.
“They should be the toughest team in our group, but I don’t know anything about RC Enisei so they may be a challenge as well.”
Four members of WP’s 12-man squad – including captain Ruan Mostert – were at last year’s inaugural World Club 7s, whilst former Springboks Sevens star Earl Rose has also been included this year.
And Province are not short of Sevens practice, after taking part in an international club tournament in Limerick last weekend.
After getting off to a flying start on Day One, as one of only two unbeaten teams after the first day, DHL WP were eventually beaten by fellow World Club 7s entrants, Auckland Blues, in a hard-fought third/fourth-place play-off.
The 2014 London World Club 7s will be televised on SuperSport this weekend – on Saturday from 16h00 (SS8) and on Sunday from 13h10 (SS7).
And Joubert is convinced preparations are exactly where they should be ahead of Saturday’s kick-off at Rugby HQ, adding: “Our preparation has been going very well for this weekend’s tournament. We played very well to finish fourth at the Limerick 7s and want to continue that form.
“To improve on our performance from last year I think we need to be more physical, especially at the breakdown.
“It’s a part of our game that we looked at very closely after last year in the build-up for this season. We have got a similar team, but also four or five different younger guys that provide us with pace and explosiveness.”
The 2014 DHL Western Province Sevens team (for London):
1. Ruan Mostert (Durb-Bell – captain)
2. Earl Johnson (Kuilsriver)
3. Danie Roux (False Bay)
4. Jason Kriel (Durb-Bell)
5. Josh Bassingthwaighte (Maties)
6. Armien Bailey (Helderberg)
7. Anthony Taylor (Young Stars)
8. Ashwill Peters (Sir Lowrians)
9. Frederick Muller (UWC)
10. Errol Jaggers (Helderberg)
11. Iewan Bartels (Hamilton’s)
12. Earl Rose (Sir Lowrians)
Management:
Ricky Petersen (Coach)
Bobby Joubert (Manager)
Riefaat Jappie (Trainer)
Peter Jooste (Executive member)
* See the Twickenham World Club Sevens fixtures, HERE.
