2016 World Sevens Series

kiwiinmelb

Any truth to the rumor Ardie is pulling out of the sevens ?

Stargazer

From One Sport: 

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
Ardie Savea pulls out of New Zealand Sevens squad 
 Hurricanes loose forward Ardie Savea has decided not to contest a spot on the New Zealand Sevens side to travel to Rio later this year. 
 <img src="https://www.tvnz.co.nz/content/dam/images/news/2016/01/30/160128_JulianSavea.jpg.hashed.03bad954.desktop.story.inline.jpg" alt="160128_JulianSavea.jpg.hashed.03bad954.d"> 
 He was scheduled to be involved in the sevens circuit's last two tournaments in Paris and London, however he has now decided he wants to focus on fifteens and his role with the Hurricanes. 
 All Blacks Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens believed Savea could have made a real impact in Rio. 
 He was disappointed but respected Savea's decision. 
 "Of course, we're very disappointed as we've enjoyed having him back. There's little doubt Ardie could've been a key player for us in Rio, but we respect his decision. 
"What's really important looking ahead, is that we still have a strong squad of players motivated to perform in Rio. 
 
"That's creating great competition for places so we're very excited about the next two tournaments as we shape the best team for the Olympics."
</blockquote>

Stargazer

IMO Savea's decision is a bigger gain for the Canes than a loss for the Sevens squad.
 
It would be much worse if the Ioane brothers made this choice.

kiwiinmelb

I wonder if he is in the sights of the ab selectors and a decision has been made where he is of most value ?

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="574463" data-time="1461457989">
<div>
I wonder if he is in the sights of the ab selectors and a decision has been made where he is of most value ?
</div>
</blockquote>
 
be very disappointed and surprised if he has been 'pulled' given the NZRU have been copping a bit of shit about not putting enough emphasis on the 7's....
 
But his time in the 7s he wasnt as good as I expected, although more time he'd probably be much better.

kiwiinmelb

Yeah , I was thinking more along the lines tiej and Hanson may have discussed it's not working so well for him in the 7s .... if he's not a lot of value to you , we could certainly use him sort of thing . 
Dunno , just a thought .

Dice

Does this confirm Ardie's made the All Blacks? I'm not convinced he'd pull the pin on a potential Gold medal just to keep playing for the Canes. If it were me, the only reason I'd drop the 7s is if I'm guaranteed something worthwhile for it.

Nepia

Somewhere in Christchurch:
 
"FUCK!!!"

kiwiinmelb

Yes that was my thoughts, a super rugby title ahead of a gold medal ?? 
An ab selection is more believable .

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="574468" data-time="1461459639">
<div>
Does this confirm Ardie's made the All Blacks? I'm not convinced he'd pull the pin on a potential Gold medal just to keep playing for the Canes. If it were me, the only reason I'd drop the 7s is if I'm guaranteed something worthwhile for it.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
I'd be a bit surprised if the AB selectors were giving those sort of guarantees - especially to someone who, at best, is going to be the back-up openside.
 
I reckon it's a bit more likely he's protecting his place in the queue - recognizing that if Matt Todd (or even Blake Gibson) gets his foot firmly in the door and plays well, it might be pretty hard to dislodge him.

taniwharugby

Ardie obviously rang Steve...
 
<img src="http://cdn0.theroar.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/jim-carrey1-428x292.jpeg" alt="jim-carrey1-428x292.jpeg">

booboo

Damn.

hydro11

As a Hurricanes fan, I want to see Ardie play for the Hurricanes.
 
I'm surprised at all the conspiracy theories that come out of the woodwork whenever something happens. Apparently the All Blacks must have shoulder tapped Ardie, even though they say they did not.

Siam

Wouldn't mind betting the physical demands had a part to play, in that apparently you have to lose mass, adopt a different body shape and fitness regimes and perhaps going from 15's to 7's and then back to 15's in the space of a year may have been pretty arduous.
 
On the bright side, it's good that the allure of the AB (reserves) jersey is still a factor
 
As for the thoughts that Shag has somehow instructed this, pffft. How would that conversation go?
 
Ardie is good but NZ do not NEED him, or anyone else for that matter

cgrant

So the AB bench for the forwards could be : Crockett, Taylor, Faumuina, Luatua and Savea.

broughie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="574460" data-time="1461457499">
<div>
From One Sport: 

</div>
</blockquote>
 
Great move. I guess sevens is just not that big a deal to me and in the Olympics? Kind of like golf. Have no interest.

raznomore

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="574495" data-time="1461474244">
<div>
As a Hurricanes fan, I want to see Ardie play for the Hurricanes.
 
I'm surprised at all the conspiracy theories that come out of the woodwork whenever something happens. Apparently the All Blacks must have shoulder tapped Ardie, even though they say they did not.
</div>
</blockquote>
Im surprised that you're surprised.

MajorRage

From what I saw of Savea play, it may be the opposite. Shoulder tapped by Tietjens to say, it' ain't happening, focus on 15's.

Crazy Horse

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Razbra" data-cid="574673" data-time="1461563877">
Im surprised that you're surprised.</blockquote>
 
I'm surprised that you're surprised that he's surprised.

Frye

NZ rugby says they weren't expecting it. 
That means not from either Titch or the All Blacks. 
So it's the Hurricanes where his priorities lie, either because of pressure from Boyd or not.

The Silver Fern

2016 World Sevens Series