Wales gears for breakup

Dubai: The Welsh team that made history by winning the Rugby World Cup Sevens title in Dubai could already be about to break up, coach Paul John revealed amid the euphoric after-match celebrations.

His unheralded squad shook the established Sevens order by downing powerhouses New Zealand and then Samoa in the knock-out stages before they proceeded to edge out Argentina in a tense final to seal the Melrose Cup for the first time.

Furthermore, all this after qualifying for the last eight only as the second of two teams that went through as the best second-placed sides along with the six pool winners.

However, John said the chances of the same players staying together to make an impression in the four remaining tournaments that will complete this season's World Sevens Series are slim.

John said: "We're going to Hong Kong at the end of the month but I won't know until probably next week who will be available and who will be released by their clubs.

"Some of these boys might have played their last Sevens but that's the nature of the game... Our role here is one of development and sevens is just phenomenal for that.

"It's such a great way for players to develop their rugby skills such as catching and passing and using space while under pressure and playing in front of 40,000 crowds.

"They're tested to the absolute limit and grow as a result of it. Our remit at the start was to develop players for the senior Welsh team and it's nice to be able to do that."

Wales are only ranked at eleventh position in the World Series at its halfway point and have never reached a cup final despite the event now being in its tenth season. So how has this side come from virtually nowhere to win a World Cup?

John had absolutely no hesitation in answering and said his side had been a highly capable lot.

"Belief. I think beating New Zealand (in pool play) in Wellington last month really showed this squad what they were capable of.

"It also gave the players confidence and it's something that grew and grew. Our preparation here in Dubai was also very good, we arrived a few days before everyone else and got used to the conditions," John said.