Dubai: Paul Treu is a cautious man. Despite his team's winning start to the season, the South African Sevens coach is wary of looking too far ahead and making any predictions for the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai from March 5 to 7.
"What we're focussed on now is our first match against Scotland at the Wellington Sevens on February 6, not even the second match. We don't want to look too far ahead of ourselves. We still have some business to do before we get to Dubai and so our focus for Dubai will begin when we get there," Treu explained from the team's training base in Stellenbosch.
The South African Sevens side started the season in superb fashion by winning the opening two tournaments of the IRB Sevens World Series, in Dubai and George, but the Rugby World Cup Sevens will be a tougher task, with the world's top 24 sides all vying for the world title which is only up for grabs once every four years.
"Yes, it's been a good series for us so far, but it's not about how you start the season, it's how you finish. And by the World Cup Sevens in Dubai, a lot of the teams will have become stronger. Some of the guys didn't quite believe we could win both series events so now that belief is there and that is a great confidence boost, but we know the other teams are going to come at us hard. New Zealand is a very proud rugby nation and have already won the Rugby World Cup Sevens under Gordon Tietjens. I think all the teams that have won it before will be tough to play against because they know how to play at a World Cup," added Treu.
While they may be reigning world champions in the 15s version of the game, South Africa have never won the Rugby World Cup Sevens and their passionate fans will certainly be hoping the team can 'do the double' by lifting the Melrose Cup in Dubai in March.
"As a coach I choose not to focus too much on that. Obviously it would be really great for these players and something they will reflect on for a long time to come," was all the cautious Treu was willing to say.
As for the choice of Dubai as the venue for the Rugby World Cup Sevens, he added: "Dubai is a very special place for us as a team. It's an exciting and vibrant place so we were very happy to hear when Dubai won the bid to host the World Cup Sevens. It's going to be wonderful. I don't think they could have picked a better venue."
South Africa have been drawn in Pool C for the tournament, where they will come up against Scotland, Canada and Japan in the opening rounds. The country will also be represented by a women's team in Dubai, where, for the first time, 16 women's teams will also be vying for the world title.
