2016 World Sevens Series

Disgusted of TW

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="582630" data-time="1464164720">Ireland compete as an all-Ireland team for the Olympics so it is only Great Britain.</blockquote>
 
Not exactly. I seem to recall this coming up on these forums before, so forgive me if I'm preaching to the choir - "Team GB" is the simplified branding for the GB and NI Olympic team. The Olympic Committee of Ireland has always viewed itself as an all-island body, and has at various times in its history got into disputes with the IOC over the IOC's unwanted use of political prefixes to the basic "Ireland". NI athletes are given the choice of competing for Team GB or Ireland, more by accident than design, as this article describes: <a class="bbc_url" href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland_at_the_Olympics#Political_issues">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland_at_the_Olympics#Political_issues</a>

hydro11

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Disgusted of TW" data-cid="582721" data-time="1464210739">
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Not exactly. I seem to recall this coming up on these forums before, so forgive me if I'm preaching to the choir - "Team GB" is the simplified branding for the GB and NI Olympic team. The Olympic Committee of Ireland has always viewed itself as an all-island body, and has at various times in its history got into disputes with the IOC over the IOC's unwanted use of political prefixes to the basic "Ireland". NI athletes are given the choice of competing for Team GB or Ireland, more by accident than design, as this article describes: <a class="bbc_url" href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland_at_the_Olympics#Political_issues">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland_at_the_Olympics#Political_issues</a>
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</blockquote>
Right but I think in rugby the players have no choice.

Bovidae

Ireland hasn't had a mens team in the World Rugby Sevens Series for over 10 years. So I assume the GB team will only include players from England, Scotland and Wales. There is an Irish womens sevens team.

Disgusted of TW

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="582728" data-time="1464212129">Right but I think in rugby the players have no choice.</blockquote>
 
I think that in theory NI rugby players have the same choice as any NI Olympian. In reality, I believe that the IRFU has negotiated (with the OCI and BOA?) that players tied to IRFU can only represent Ireland at the Olympics. So if Team GB wanted to select a rank outsider from NI, they'd be eligible; but of course that's never going to happen.

booboo

I suspect it will essentially England regardless of who is available. 
Heard something that they only had one of the champion Scotland team in contention for the team. 
Not sure there'd be many Taffs either.

Disgusted of TW

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="583066" data-time="1464289176">I suspect it will essentially England regardless of who is available. 
Heard something that they only had one of the champion Scotland team in contention for the team. 
Not sure there'd be many Taffs either.</blockquote>
 
Based on what I saw at Twickers last Sunday, I hope not! I can only imagine that England were spectacularly different on the Saturday to beat Fiji. Against Scotland they looked leaden of foot and thought, very disappointing (nice smoked brisket roll from a stall outside the west stand, though, so the day had some good points too. Last list I saw there were four lads from the Scotland sevens team, plus Mark Bennett from the XVs.

Stargazer

NZ Women have beaten Russia 33-0, with Portia Woodman scoring a hat-trick.
 
Next game v Japan is at 11.44pm (NZT).

Stargazer

I'm watching the (geo-blocked) livestream of the Clermont 7s here:
 
[media]

Stargazer

Half time: NZ leads 28-0

Stargazer

NZ beat Japan 40-0. A hat-trick scored by Ruby Tui in the second half.
 
They have a stronger opponent in Canada at 2.28am NZT, but after their two wins they have already qualified for the Cup QF.

Disgusted of TW

It must be Ruby Tui's day. Somebody should write a song about it...

Stargazer

Half time: NZ leads 12-5 in their game v Canada.

Stargazer

Full time: NZ beat Canada by 19 points to 17. Good result against a strong opponent.

Stargazer

<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cjju6zCWEAAA8sR.jpg" alt="Cjju6zCWEAAA8sR.jpg">
 
NZ v France to be played at 10.42pm tonight.

Stargazer

Livestream Day 2 Clermont 7s
 
[media]

Stargazer

Half time: NZ leads 14-5.

Stargazer

Full time: NZ beat France 19-12.
 
NZ will play the Cup Semi Final v England at 2.53am. Probably v Australia.

Stargazer

Australia just won their Cup QF. That result is enough to secure the 2016 Sevens Series title.
 
It's a pity that NZ and Oz meet in the SF and not the final.
 
The other SF will be England against the winner of Canada v Fiji.

NTA

Aussies and Kiwis just look a class above. 
I'm so impressed with our women's side - clinical, hard-hitting, skilled and fit. Tim Walsh is clearly a great coach

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="583792" data-time="1464521696">
<div>
Aussies and Kiwis just look a class above. 
I'm so impressed with our women's side - clinical, hard-hitting, skilled and fit. Tim Walsh is clearly a great coach
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</blockquote>
 
Yes, they've been really good. They've had a very good preparation for RIO and are deserved winners!
 
NZ would have been able to give more competition to Oz this year if they hadn't had so many injuries. McAlister, Manuel and Woodman are now back, but still 6 important players missing, incl Nathan-Wong, Broughton, Tubic and Hohepa. Hopefully they'll be back in time for Rio.
 
(The other Cup SF will be between England and Canada.)

The Silver Fern

2016 World Sevens Series