2016 World Sevens Series

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiPie" data-cid="564693" data-time="1458008127">
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I saw a CGW piece on him - he was working with sprinting squads to improve his speed - really pleased it is showing on the field.
 
Wonder if Kaka was carrying an injury for a while - his speed is back and it is long-term speed as well which Titch seems to favour over "nippiness".
 
The clampdown on high tackles made it a bit of a lottery at times - seemed like any hit around the shoulders was being pinged - and usually that is the target in Sevens as you don't want them offloading.
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Yes, Kaka was one of the many players that got injured in Dubai (ankle injury). He was back in the squad for Wellington and Sydney, but didn't get much game time and clearly wasn't in top form. Good to see him getting back in good shape as he's one of the faster players, but can also defend well.
 
By the way, one of the commentators said that Tomasi Cama travels with the squad. Anyone know more about that? What's his role? Anyhow, good to see that - although he can't play at this level anymore - he can still contribute to the team.

Sapetyvi

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="564695" data-time="1458009334">I'm not sure if that was directed or an over application by the ref though. He was consistent, but was pinging any touch above the line of the shoulders much like refs are instructed to do at junior XVs levels. Neck rolls are a definate no-no though and there were some penalties for that at the clear out.</blockquote>
I dont have any data to back this up but it felt like all the refs were pinging high shots very eagerly, so might have been directed from higher up

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="564733" data-time="1458033183">
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By the way, one of the commentators said that Tomasi Cama travels with the squad. Anyone know more about that? What's his role? Anyhow, good to see that - although he can't play at this level anymore - he can still contribute to the team.
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</blockquote>
 
I think Cama was appointed as the assistant coach once he was forced into retirement due to injury. If you can find a photo at the presentation Cama is seen wearing a beanie.
 
Here's a photo:
<img height="401" src="http://www.namibian.com.na/public/uploads/images/56e6c2ba7da84/NZSevens.jpg" width="640" alt="NZSevens.jpg">
 
Edit: he's the performance analyst for both the mens and womens teams.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/74401911/New-Zealand-Sevens-legend-Tomasi-Cama-retires-moves-into-analysis-role'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/74401911/New-Zealand-Sevens-legend-Tomasi-Cama-retires-moves-into-analysis-role</a>

Unco

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="564735" data-time="1458033651">
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I think Cama was appointed as the assistant coach once he was forced into retirement due to injury. If you can find a photo at the presentation Cama is seen wearing a beanie.
 
Here's a photo:
<img height="401" src="http://www.namibian.com.na/public/uploads/images/56e6c2ba7da84/NZSevens.jpg" width="640" alt="NZSevens.jpg">
 
Edit: he's the performance analyst for both the mens and womens teams.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/74401911/New-Zealand-Sevens-legend-Tomasi-Cama-retires-moves-into-analysis-role'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/74401911/New-Zealand-Sevens-legend-Tomasi-Cama-retires-moves-into-analysis-role</a>
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Yep:
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/74401911/New-Zealand-Sevens-legend-Tomasi-Cama-retires-moves-into-analysis-role'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/sevens/74401911/New-Zealand-Sevens-legend-Tomasi-Cama-retires-moves-into-analysis-role</a>
 
He's now a performance analyst for both the men's and women's teams, which is a nice move from Titch and the NZRU.

Bones

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="564733" data-time="1458033183">
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Yes, Kaka was one of the many players that got injured in Dubai (ankle injury). He was back in the squad for Wellington and Sydney, but didn't get much game time and clearly wasn't in top form. Good to see him getting back in good shape as he's one of the faster players, but can also defend well.
 
By the way, one of the commentators said that Tomasi Cama travels with the squad. Anyone know more about that? What's his role? Anyhow, good to see that - although he can't play at this level anymore - he can still contribute to the team.
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Kaka actually looks like he's slimmed down a tad as well - has certainly got his pace back. Mikkelson also looks to be in good shape and upping his pace back to previous levels.

Stargazer

Next menâ€™s tournament
Hong Kong 7s (Fri 8 - Sun 10 April):
 
NZL games (in NZT)
Fri 8, 11.44pm: v France
Sat 9, 3.40pm: v Kenya
Sat 9, 7.40pm: v Samoa
All finals on Sunday.
 
 
Next womenâ€™s tournament
Atlanta 7s (Fri 8 - Sat 9 April):
 
NZL games (in NZT)
Sat 9, 5.58am: v Japan
Sat 9, 8.42am: v Spain
Sat 9, 11.26am: v USA
All finals on Sunday (NZT).

booboo

Just a quick comment on Shag's comment on the non selection of ABs in the 7s, particularly Ben Smith. (Veitch's show Saturday and in the NZ Helrad.) 
I have no issue with the process and generally no issue with Hansen's position, or Smith's or Titch's. 
However i have an issue with comment he made along the lines of "perhaps Gordon could have been more flexible and then he'd have got more players". 
I disagree that he should have been at all flexible more than he already is. He is trying to build a team for a shot at the Olympics. Taking a gamble on a player who has not played 7s for 6 years that he could learn the game and get 7s fit after only two tournaments, as good a player as Smith is, and as good a coach as Titch is, is to my mind a long shot. 
Would Hansen be as flexible building for an RWC?

booboo

I meant to add that the form of some of the incumbents would have meant that there'd be no guarantee for Smith anyway. 
And dropping a Kaka (say) to trial Smith risks Kaka losing form and the team losing momentum.

booboo

Question: how big is the Squad for Rio? 
Some good players going to miss out.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="567748" data-time="1459119148">
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Question: how big is the Squad for Rio?
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12 is the usual squad size. 
 
I read Hansen's comments too, and agree with you. Smith wanted to have the best of both worlds (play a full Super rugby season and sevens). Sevens has changed a lot so Tietjens needs as much time with the players as possible. It's a shame that the team won't be as strong as it could be but they will still have a good squad.

taniwharugby

I thought the squad was being extended for Rio, or was that just what was being asked for? 
 
Reckon Eric Murray could sit on the bench if they needed him to! 
 
It is a tough really, I mean the lure of a shot at gold, over a normal lengthy Super season, making ABs and then hoping to cement the spot for the Lions...
 
Even someone like Ben Smith knows that if he was to step away from the AB environment, and someone else stepped in and up, it might cost hiim a shot at the Lions and he may live to regret it.

antipodean

It's just a pity that the Lions tour next year, otherwise a number of players would have jumped across IMO.

Milk

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="567786" data-time="1459126846">
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Reckon Eric Murray could sit on the bench if they needed him to! 
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He was in my year at school and played in the first 15... which wasn't a particularly successful team to be fair. He was quite a bit chunkier back then and his engine has probably improved :)
 
He'd get in amongst it, that's for sure.

KiwiPie

Can report that DJ Forbes, Scott Curry, Tim Mikkelson, Sherwin Stowers, Liam Messam plus 1 were having breakfast in the Sidetrack Cafe at the Mount this morning. Grant McQuoid was also there at another table but I suspect he isn't close to Sevens selection.

Unco

When do the Ioane's and Ardie rejoin the squad? Early May?

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="567917" data-time="1459164683">
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When do the Ioane's and Ardie rejoin the squad? Early May?
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Yes, for the final 2 rounds in Paris and London in May (starting May 13).

Crucial

Augie Pulu hopefully recovered in time for those two tourneys as well.

Crucial

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
Sonny Bill Williams returns from injury and Hurricanes backline utility Pita Ahki from the wilderness in Gordon Tietjens' New Zealand sevens squad for the next two world series tournaments in Hong Kong and Singapore.
 
World Cup-winning All Black Williams is over the knee injury that kept him out for the last two tournaments and has been returned to the squad of 14, from which the playing 12 will be chosen for Hong Kong (April 8-10) and Singapore (April 16-17).
 
But Ahki's inclusion, out of the Canes Super Rugby squad, is the biggest surprise as Tietjens casts his net wider following recent long-term injuries to Ben Lam and Joe Webber.
 
The North Harbour back last played for New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and was also a member of the 2013 World Cup-winning side.
 
"We've lost Joe Webber and Ben Lam to injury, so Pita gives us that experience. Defensively he's very strong and has a very good understanding of the game which is hugely important," Tietjens said.
 
The coach said it had been a difficult selection after Wednesday's trial in Mount Maunganui.
 
"The key this year is getting the balance right so we give all the players the opportunity in a really important year to stake their claim to be in contention for the Olympics. We want to go to Hong Kong and perform really well."
 
Wider training group player Sione Molia also wins selection after impressing last time out in Vancouver, while Williams and Isaac Te Tamaki return from injury which ruled them out of the recent tournaments in Las Vegas and Vancouver.
 
Veteran All Black Liam Messam also continues his managed return to the abbreviated code.
 
"Isaac is probably our fastest player. He has that X-factor and can break out and do things out of nothing so he's a real threat," Tietjens said.

"Sonny Bill and Liam are back in the reckoning. Liam had a very good final in Vancouver and will want to back that up in Hong Kong.
 
"Sonny is coming off the back of two very good tournaments in Sydney and Wellington and wants to get back into it. He's been training well and will be looking forward to Hong Kong.
 
"Sonny and Liam love the sevens culture and are both very hard workers. They mix in really well and want to stake their claims to be in the team to go to Rio."
 
"All teams can sense we're not far away from Rio," Tietjens added. "We all want to improve at every tournament so these next two tournaments are very important."
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
New Zealand has been drawn in Pool A in Hong Kong, alongside Samoa, France and Kenya. First up is France on Friday night, with Kenya and Samoa on Saturday.
 
New Zealand sevens squad: Pita Ahki (North Harbour), Kurt Baker (Taranaki), Dylan Collier (Waikato), 
Sam Dickson (Canterbury), DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau), Gillies Kaka (Hawke's Bay), Liam Messam (Waikato). Tim Mikkelson (Waikato, capt), Sione Molia (Counties Manukau), Lewis Ormond (Taranaki), Teddy Stanaway (Bay of Plenty), Isaac Te Tamaki (Waikato), Regan Ware (Waikato), Sonny Bill Williams (Counties Manukau).
</blockquote>
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
Not considered because of injury: Scott Curry, Billy Ropiha and Joe Webber.
Super Rugby players Akira Ioane, Rieko Ioane, Augustine Pulu and Ardie Savea available for final two tournaments in Paris and London. Ben Lam is out with injury.
 
</blockquote>

Stargazer

Times are NZT:
 
Hong Kong Sevens (men)
Fri 8/4, 11.44pm: NZ v France
Sat 9/4, 3.40pm : NZ v Kenya
Sat 9/4, 7.40pm: NZ v Samoa
 
Atlanta Sevens (women)
Sat 9/4, 5.58am: NZ v Japan
Sat 9/4, 8.42am: NZ v Spain
Sat 9/4, 11.26am: NZ v USA
 
 
Only the travelling squads for Hong Kong/Singapore and Atlanta/Langford have been announced, not yet the playing squads.

Bones

Great to see Ahki back, he's bloody handy - reminds me of Muliaina in 7's.
 
Again with the Collier? What the fucking fuck! Don't know much about Molia, Stanaway and Te Tamaki but they sound promising, so good looking squad, especially once you trim to 12 and (inshallah) Collier is gone.

The Silver Fern

2016 World Sevens Series