Habana seeks successful Sevens return
Veteran Springbok wing Bryan Habana wants to make a quick and successful return to Sevens Rugby as he prepares for the Las Vegas Sevens with the Blitzboks.
Habana joined up with the team in Stellenbosch this week ahead of the next leg of the World Sevens series. Alongside former Springbok eighthman Ryan Kankowski, the pair will be a welcome addition to the squad.
Blitzbok coach Neil Powell has already integrated a couple of Springbok fifteens stars into his side earlier this season and he will bank on Kankowski and Habana to switch back to Sevens mode.
Both players have played on the Sevens circuit – albeit years ago. Considering their experience they shouldn’t struggled reintegrating into the Blitzboks' setup.
“I’m unbelievably excited. The worth-ethic in this group is absolutely fantastic and the way I have been accepted and welcomed is amazing,” Habana said after his first training session with the Springbok Sevens.
“Hopefully in my time here I will be able to contribute to the success of this team. I’m really excited about what the future could hold for this team.”
Habana will go down as one of the legends of the fifteen man game. Complimenting his speed and affinity for sniffing out the try-line, Habana has never shied away from the rough stuff and was often foraging in rucks and making tackles on Springbok duty. He'll need to tap into that wider skill-set on the Sevens circuit.
“Sevens is a totally different ball game. Having watched it over the past few years, I have a massive amount of respect for the work these guys do and the fitness and skill levels. The physicality of the game has changed dramatically over the past decade,” Habana admitted.
“Hopefully I can make the adjustment quickly; it’s going to be tough out there if I get the opportunity and I don’t want to let myself or this team down.”
Habana is set to play in the Las Vegas Sevens, while Kankowski will only be ready for the Vancouver leg after taking a knock to the head in training.
The Blitzboks kickoff the Las Vegas campaign next Saturday and face the USA, Canada and Wales in Pool D action.
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