Turner to turn it around for England at Hong Kong Sevens, says Robinson

Thursday, 15 March 2012 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Rugby legend Jason Robinson believes the elusive Mat Turner is a potential match winner as England seek to win the Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens for the first time since their record fourth straight title in 2006.

Robinson, who helped England win the 2003 World Cup and reach the 2007 final, will be in Hong Kong next week as an HSBC Ambassador, having attended the Dubai and Las Vegas legs of the 2011/12 HSBC Sevens World Series.

Turner – who cites Robinson and former All Black Christian Cullen as his favourite players – was Player of the Tournament as England retained their Dubai title in December, racking up seven tries from the scrum-half including two against France in the final.

“Turner was outstanding in Dubai and you need a player who will put his mark on Hong Kong. He’s not big, but he’s a very dangerous player, especially in close quarters, where he can make space and turn games,” said Robinson, who will run a coaching clinic at Good Hope School on Monday with fellow HSBC Ambassador George Gregan.

“He’s got great feet and is one of those players who needs to get hold of the ball. The more he gets hold of the ball, the more likely he is to cause problems.”

Robinson also highlighted flying winger Dan Norton and 1.95-metre centre Isoa Damudamu as key players as England bid to go one better than last year, when they lost 29-17 to New Zealand in the final. Norton is the second-highest try scorer in the current Series with 23, while Turner is fifth with 19.

“You also have Norton who loves the open spaces. Get the ball to him quickly and he can beat the best players out there. He’s one of the fastest players on the sevens circuit and certainly a match winner,” said Robinson, who will be attending the Sevens in Hong Kong for the first time.

“They also have Damu, who’s very powerful and really helps the England game. While you’ve got your fliers, you need a bit of power and he brings that. He can get the offloads and that’s what the likes of Turner and Norton will be looking forward to. Give the ball to them and they can cause problems.”

Robinson believes the Hong Kong leg is vitally important as England seek to move up from fourth place in the Series standings and make up ground on front-runners New Zealand, who are just five points ahead of Fiji.

As in Dubai, England enjoy enormous support in Hong Kong and Ben Ryan’s men will be crowd favourites as they again bid for the trophy that has eluded them for the past five years.

“It’s great to go all over the world and play, but when you can be in Asia and still feel at home because of the support, that will bring a lot of confidence to the players. It’s not home soil, but it almost feels like home soil. It’s similar to the support we got in Brisbane on the 2001 Lions Tour. When you run out and hear the crowd’s reaction, it gives you that extra buzz, that extra lift,” said Robinson, who starred in two British & Irish Lions tours in 2001 and 2005.

Jason Robinson and George Gregan are HSBC ambassadors and both will be attending the 2012 Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.