Alex Webber believes Wales can retain their Rugby World Cup Sevens crown

Alex Webber: Believes Wales can retain their Rugby World Cup Sevens crown

Rookie Alex Webber sees no reason why Wales cannot repeat their World Cup Sevens shock of four years ago in this weekend’s tournament in Moscow.

Wales started the competition as 80-1 outsiders in Dubai in 2009, but a stunning quarter-final success over New Zealand provided the impetus for them to go on and lift the trophy with a 19-12 win over Argentina in the final.

They enter this year’s competition – which will be the last before Sevens becomes an Olympic sport in 2016 – at Luzhniki Stadium having finished seventh in last season’s IRB World Sevens Series.

But Paul John’s side – who will be joined in Pool E by Fiji, Tonga and Uruguay – again showcased their ability to spring a surprise by narrowly missing out to the Fijians in the final of the Hong Kong Sevens in March.

Live on Sky Sports

• 
  

  Live IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens

  
  


• Day Three


• June 30, 2013 6:15am


• 

• Remote Record


• Get a Sky Sports Day Pass


• Upgrade to Sky Sports

Webber, who was playing for Ystrad Rhondda in the second tier of domestic rugby at the start of the season, is the youngest member of the squad at the age of 21, but is bullish about the chances of another Welsh triumph.

Win it

“We’ve got to go out there and win it. We are the champions,” he said.

“We’ve already made one final this year (in Hong Kong) so we know we can do it. All the boys are hoping to bring the title back to Wales.”

Coach John has been pleased with how preparations have gone.

“We feel our squad is made up of the best available players and they’re looking forward to representing Wales in a World Cup,” he told the Welsh Rugby Union website.

“Selection for the tournament has been very tough as the boys have been very competitive during training. We’ve had more numbers to prepare with than normal, training with 19 before cutting it down.

“It’s been difficult to finalise the 12 but a lot of boys have shown the right attitude during training and we think we’ve gone with the right squad.”

• RWC Sevens 2013 Win Outright: Wales 7s 20/1

Alex Webber believes Wales can retain their Rugby World Cup Sevens crown