2016 World Sevens Series
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<p>Full time: England beat Fiji 31-10.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Not taking anything away from England's win, but Fiji was terrible. Not sure whether Hayne has actually touched the ball at all after coming on in the 3rd minute of the 2nd half. The last ball passed by a Fiji player was meant for him, but it was intercepted and England scored their final try.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>By the way, Dan Norton scored an absolutely fabulous try! </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="581417" data-time="1463830003">
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<p>Full time: England beat Fiji 31-10.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Not taking anything away from England's win, but Fiji was terrible. Not sure whether Hayne has actually touched the ball at all after coming on in the 3rd minute of the 2nd half. The last ball passed by a Fiji player was meant for him, but it was intercepted and England scored their final try.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>By the way, Dan Norton scored an absolutely fabulous try! </p>
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<p>Hayne almost had a fresh air game, but he passed to and wrapped around the guy who threw the intercept at the end.</p>
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<p>Hard to see how he'll master the work around the ruck to be anything more than high-risk to a liability at the Olympics.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Worst of all - I somewhat enjoyed watching England beat Fiji! </p>
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<p>"Out, damned spot!"</p> -
<p>Huge tackle by SBW,</p>
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<p>Titch is unimpressed at half time.</p> -
<p>42 - 5</p>
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<p>Hayne gets three and a half minutes and Wales score immediately.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="581489" data-time="1463839961">
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<p>Much better 2nd half from Fiji; playing like they normally do.</p>
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<p><strong>Btw, some of these commentators are absolutely terrible! </strong></p>
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<p>Bloody oath.</p>
<p>The one with TeNana in our game against Russia kept saying Eyeowneeeee whenever Rieko touched the ball</p> -
<p>And Regan Ware spares our blushes, dots down under the posts - all tied at 14-14 at the final hooter. Mikkelson has had enough. He boots the ball into the stands. A superior Points diff will see us through to the quarters tomorrow. Fortunately.</p>
<p>Jesus, that was near on disastrous. Have to step it up big time for Rio.</p> -
<p>Saw bits of a couple of games yesterday, Portugal were giving someone a tune up. Then USA vs Samoa. Samoa were fucking awful. Gees that Perry Baker, always amusing to see on the field, like they don't feed him, then someone behind the posts waves a pie and off he goes.</p>
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<p>NZ have been a terrible for a few rounds now, which is VERY worrying. Fiji look great, except for Haynes who is a joke. If I were a Fijian rugby player, I'd be fucking pissed at his inclusion.</p> -
<p><u>NZ play the Cup Quarter Final against the USA at 10.42pm NZT.</u></p>
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<p>I see that Australia is playing in the Bowl QF! What happened there? </p>
<p>And also to my surprise, Scotland is playing in the Cup QF!?</p>
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<p>Looking at the year we've had with the Series, I've noticed that particularly Canada has gone down fast - have they had to cope with a lot of injuries?</p>
<p>The last few tournaments have seen a big improvement of France and Argentina, well-timed!</p>
<p>Kenya (Singapore) and Samoa (Paris) have proven that basically every country can win Olympic gold if they have two good days, but I still wouldn't bet on teams like that. They are way too inconsistent.</p>
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<p>NZ will need all their stars fit and healthy if they want to win a medal in Rio. They've had a lot of injuries all year to some of the best players and we don't seem to have the depth to deal with it. Apart from Wellington, Sydney and Vancouver, they've been average. Hope they prove me wrong today in London, but I have my doubts.</p>
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<p>I think SBW has shown enough skill to make the squad for Rio, but even without injury I think Messam won't make the cut, which basically makes this a lost year for him. Not sure whether Ardie Savea would have made the squad if he'd stayed.</p> -
<p>I have copied this from someone else's post back in the thread to try and work out the 12 for Rio based on who looks to be available. Bolded are what I think are certainties </p>
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<p>FORWARDS<br><strong>Akira Ioane</strong><br><strong>DJ Forbes - </strong><em>as long as fit, will be there for experience. Has shown he still has it if not injured</em><br><strong>Sonny Bill Williams</strong> - <em>finding his feet as a part of the game plan. Too much ability to create opportunities to leave out. Titch has him working as a forward now</em></p>
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<p>BACKS<br><strong>Augustine Pulu</strong> - <em>shown enough to be the backup playmaker</em><br><strong>Gillies Kaka </strong>- <em>number one playmaker</em><br><strong>Rieko Ioane - </strong><em>looking like more of a freak than his big bro at the moment</em><br><strong>Tim Mikkelson -</strong><em> given</em></p>
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<p>So that leaves five places to come from</p>
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<p>Forwards (3) Probables in bold</p>
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<p>Dylan Collier</p>
<p>Liam Messam<br><strong>Sam Dickson<br>
Scott Curry</strong></p>
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<p>Backs (2)</p>
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<p>Joe Webber ??<br>
Kurt Baker<br>
Lewis Ormond<br>
Pita Ahki<br>
Regan Ware<br>
Sione Molia<br>
Teddy Stanaway</p>
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<p>So Messam quite possibly to get through. I would prefer him over Collier anyway.</p>
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<p>In the backs I think Baker is likely as backup to the Mikkleson role, then it's a need for a 'striker' to cover Reiko</p>
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<p>First choice lineup if all fit and playing for a medal.</p>
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<p>Ioane</p>
<p>SBW</p>
<p>Forbes</p>
<p>Curry</p>
<p>Kaka</p>
<p>Mikkleson</p>
<p>Ioane</p> -
<p>I think Pulu could start ahead of Kaka in the best 7.</p>
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<p>My squad (if all are fit)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Baker</p>
<p>2, Curry (c)</p>
<p>3. Dickson</p>
<p>4. Forbes</p>
<p>5. A Ioane</p>
<p>6. R Ioane</p>
<p>7. Kaka</p>
<p>8. Messam</p>
<p>9. Mikkleson</p>
<p>10. Pulu</p>
<p>11. SBW</p>
<p>12. Webber/Ware</p>
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<p>I'm not sure what has happened to Stowers but Webber has been one of Titch's main players in recent years. If they want another speedster then it's Ware or Molia. But using Messam and SBW as forwards means you can use the Ioane brothers out wide.</p> -
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<p>Australia had Fiji and England in their pool. Can't be surprised they are in the bowl.</p>
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<p>We also decided to rest our best 5 players for some reason this week. Apparently 10 tournaments over the course of six months is too many, and they need a fucking break.</p>
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<p>So we basically waved the white flag and went to the Bowl, in the last tournament before Rio. Shrewd stuff there.</p>
