2023 World Sevens Series
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Scrum Samoa. All they have to do is kick the ball out.
And then the images disappear again. Safe to say Samoa have won the game and the
.The ref had a lot to do with the score and the weather didn't help, but Samoa have overall been better in Cape Town, so not an unexpected result.
Still, silver is a good result for this young AB7s team.
A second place is good to climb on the Series ladder.
FT: AB7s 7 - 12 Samoa
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@Stargazer said in 2023 World Sevens Series:
Scrum Samoa. All they have to do is kick the ball out.
And then the images disappear again. Safe to say Samoa have won the game and the
.The ref had a lot to do with the score and the weather didn't help, but Samoa have overall been better in Cape Town, so not an unexpected result.
Still, silver is a good result for this young AB7s team.
A second place is good to climb on the Series ladder.
FT: AB7s 7 - 12 Samoa
Was the ref actually Way? It didn't look like it when I did see him.
If so, isn't it funny that handful of refs NZ have a habit of losing under...
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What a performance by TNW for the BFs! Love seeing a captain stand up and lead by example. She was still hyped after the game going by the post match interview.
Wasn't the conditions for Blyde to see much ball but she is still my favourite. Just love the way she looks like she's on a hair trigger the whole time. She's bloody scary. Like a pit bull crossed with a greyhound.Both teams have set themselves up well for the Oly-Qualy at this tricky start to the season and consistent performance from here on should see them get there OK.
BF selectors will have a tough job bringing back the big names but that will be a stacked squad when they do. That team just won against the world champs while missing Hirini, Fluhler, Fitzpatrick, Tui and Woodman. Imagine that as a bench! -
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@NTA out of interest, as someone who has transitioned to the dark side of the whistle, do you think that being a 7s ref requires different attributes to being a XVs one?
Speed of thought is one thing but materiality thresholds seem to be very different and it must makes things even more difficult around accuracy of the call. A lower tolerance for infringing also brings a fair bit of weight in 50/50 situations and you'd think that if a ref set their boundary slightly differently it could have a big impact in some facets of the game. In turn this could benefit some teams and disbenefit others.
All very well to say that teams should adjust to a ref's style but should they have to change their gameplan?Using the AB 7s as an example, they tend to flood the breakdown as part of a physical game. Under some refs it works fine but under others it is a nightmare.
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@Crucial in a word: yes.
Coincidentally, I've had the chance to do small group discussions with Jordan Way as part of NSW Rugby Refs education nights.
The general principle for refereeing 7s is the same at the breakdown: tackler release, tackled player release, everyone stay on their feet.
The differences to XVs:
- there are less bodies in the way in 7s (generally) so you tend to get a clearer picture.
- because speed of the game is paramount (7 minute halves) you need to have a lower tolerance for infringements, and probably make quicker snap decisions as a result.
- similarly, advantage is a bit quicker to expire because the game isn't set-piece.
In your example where the ABs are going in hard at the breakdown, the tolerance factor can vary because clean, quick ball is what you want. One from each side on the ground, one from each side over the ball, and then you want it to get moving.
If you're piling in bodies at a higher ratio to the opposition then staying on your feet is going to be paramount.
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Just watched the finals on delay. Well done NZ, building real depth in the squads.
Thought Blyde and Brazier were amazing all tournament. Nathan Wong was off her game earlier but back to top form later. Jorja Miller got better and better and Jaz Hotham looks top quality also.
Liking what the Americans are doing, bringing in some sensational athletes. The blonde 'GI Jane', Sammy Sullivan looks a real talent - with Blyde-like attitude and skills. David Still from the men's team looks a freak athlete too, who will only get better.
Interesting to see GB women so poor without their talisman, Abby Brown. One inspirational player can make a real difference - as Samoan men showed.
Pleased with what Solo brings for the men, and Cook-Savage got better after a nervous start. Not sure why Tangitau used so little - maybe because going to Super? But, I was disappointed again by both Clark and Leo. The lack of apparent effort in defence is glaring. You would have to think Clark was injured in the final without subs, the way he jogged around. Leo is a great finisher, but needs hunger in contact, and needs to make an effort on the chase, even if it is just to make the conversion much harder. Maybe it is a team thing - not to gas oneself if you don't think you can save the try. But, other teams chase to the death.
Rokolisoa was truly amazing, inspiring all those around him. But, without Ng Shiu in the final we lacked the physical line-breaker for him to run off. NZ is much better with that aggression in contact. Carter was missed too.
Well done Samoa. Apelu Maliko player of the tournament?
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@ARHS said in 2023 World Sevens Series:
Not sure why Tangitau used so little
I thought that it may be old school 7s tactics where you hold a strike player on the bench to get maximum effect when the core of the opposition team is tiring or the other subs are on. It can still work and you have to balance up whether it is best to provide them more chances to take or less, but more effective, chances.
