Invitational, provincial, local & school sevens tournaments

Stargazer

There are two sevens tournaments, tomorrow. One at Massey University in Palmerston North and one at Central Park in Waipukarau.

The Manawatu Invitational 7s at Palmerston North features Men’s, Women’s and Colts teams.

The Men’s draw sees nine teams entered in two pools:

Pool A : Kia Toa, Ngamatapouri, Freyberg Old Boys, Manawatu Fijians

Pool B : Palmy Steel, Feilding Yellows, Mohaka Brothers, Linton Army, South Auckland Fijians

The women’s pool sees three local clubs in action: Massey University, Kia Toa and Linton Army.

The Colts section features five teams representing three unions: Hutt Old Boys Marist, Whanganui Metro, Freyberg Old Boys, Feilding Yellows, Martinborough.

Play at Massey starts at 10am across three fields, with the three finals scheduled for 2.20pm, 2.45pm and 3.10pm respectively.

The annual Central Hawke's Bay 7s tournament at Waipukurau features a Men’s and three-team Colts draw.

The Men’s draw sees 17 teams entered:

Pool A : Havelock North, RA Barbarians, MAC, Waikato Barbarians

Pool B : Taradale, Napier Pirates 2, Rotorua Fijians Blue, Central

Pool C : Hastings Rugby & Sports, Rotorua Fijians Pink, Wellington Flyers, Hawke’s Bay Fijians White

Pool D : Auckland Nadi Blues, Hawke’s Bay Fijians Blue, Napier Pirates 1, Mohaka Bros, Napier Technical.

The Colts teams are: Lindisfarne College and the Clive and Taradale clubs.

Info from https://clubrugby.nz/wp/2021/02/12/rugby-in-2021-kicks-off-this-weekend/

Higgins

Had a call from my namesake in Fiji earlier today letting me know that the team representing his Nadi area (Nadi Auckland!) won the HB 7s smoking the Rotorua Fijians in the final something like 21 - 07. Needless to say he also took the time to remind me that his birthday is coming up in 11 days time and to text the Western Union collection number to his mobile! I suspect that was probably the primary reason for the call!!!

Stargazer

@Higgins Yep, there's a write-up of the tournament here:

Lindisfarne College capture HB Sevens colts title

Stargazer

Invitational tournament in Wellington

Takiwhitu Tūturu will feature eight men's and women's teams playing across two days at Hataitai Park.

The Tonga and Samoa Invitational sides will take part in the men's tournament alongside two All Blacks Sevens teams, while a Moana Pasifika squad will feature in the women's competition with two Black Ferns Sevens teams and a Black Ferns 15-a-side selection.

The Tongan squad was based in Auckland and would travel down to Wellington with head coach Tevita Tu'ifua on Tuesday.

The kingdom had been playing regularly in various tournaments across the North Island, including five matches against the All Blacks Sevens and a Fiji Barbarians team in February.

Manusina coach Ramsey Tomokino would guide the Samoa men's invitational team. He said the squad would be a mixture of New Zealand-based players, with about half having previous playing experience on the World Sevens Series.

New Zealand Rugby High Performance Sevens Manager, Tony Philp, said with international borders closed it was pleasing to be able to create a high level of competition.

"We are lucky to have really talented sevens players in our country so putting together a tournament like this is key for Olympic preparation."

The All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens teams would also play a series of exhibition games either side of the Hurricanes v Crusaders Super Rugby match next Sunday.

Tonga and Samoa were scheduled to compete in the final men's Olympic qualifying tournament in Monaco in June, with Samoa and Papua New Guinea to contest the women's event.

Takiwhitu Tūturu schedule:

Friday 9 April
10am Moana Pasifika v Black Ferns Sevens Black
10.30am Black Ferns Sevens White v Black Ferns Invitational
11am All Blacks Sevens White v All Blacks Sevens Black
11.30am Samoa Invitational v Tonga Invitational
2.30pm Moana Pasifika v Black Ferns Sevens White
3pm Black Ferns Sevens Black v Black Ferns Invitational
3.30pm Tonga Invitational v All Blacks Sevens White
4pm All Blacks Sevens Black v Samoa Invitational

Saturday 10 April
10am Black Ferns Invitational v Moana Pasifika
10.30am Black Ferns Sevens Black v Black Ferns Sevens White
11am All Blacks Sevens Black v Tonga Invitational
11.30am Samoa Invitational v All Blacks Sevens White

2.30pm Women's play-offs
3pm Women's play-offs
3.30pm Men's play-offs
4pm Men's play-offs

Mar 30, 2021 / Pacific

Pacific 7s teams to feature in Olympic preparation tournament

Three Pacific Islands teams will feature in a sevens invitational tournament in Wellington next weekend which ramps up preparations towards the Tokyo Olympics.

Stargazer

Bovidae

The crème of the crop of New Zealand sevens talent will take the field at Hataitai Park on Friday and Saturday, before the All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens play at Sky Stadium on Sunday.

All Blacks Sevens Black
Scott Curry, Tim Mikkelson, Tone Ng Shiu, Fehi Fineanganofo, William Warbrick, Akuila Rokolisoa, Brady Rush, Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, Tom Florence, Leroy Carter and Caleb Tangitau

All Blacks Sevens White
Amanki Nicole, Ollie Sapsford, Trael Joass, Kitiona Vai, Dan Sinkinson, Vilimoni Koroi, Liam Coombes Fabling, Andrew Knewstubb, Regan Ware, Ray Nu’u, Joe Webber and Sione Molia

Samoa Barbarians
Alamanda Motuga, Alefosio Tapili, Cephus Salaivao, David Afamasaga, Fa’alae Faletoi Peni, Fritz Rayasi, Joshua Gray, Junior Time-Tautua, Maauga Iamanu, Simon-Peter Toleafoa, Steven Va’a, Tofatu Solia and Tomasi Alosia

Tonga Invitational
Etuate Sunia, Samisoni Fualalo, Leonard Finau, Lawrence Taufa, John Tapueluelu, Walter Fifita, Lotu Inisi, Tavake Makoni, Aisea Halo, Taniela Samita, Fine Inisi, Aki Kaumavae, Mavae Manuika, John Ika

Black Ferns Sevens Black
Stacey Fluhler, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Tenika Willison, Michaela Blyde, Kelsey Teneti, Jorja Miller, Niall Williams, Tyla Nathan-Wong, Montessa Tairakena, Shakira Baker, Manaia Nuku and Terina Te Tamaki

Black Ferns Sevens White
Portia Woodman, Ruby Tui, Kelly Brazier, Shiray Kaka, Layla Sae, Kalyn Takitimu Cook, Sarah Hirini, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane, Jazmin Hotham, Mahina Paul, Cheyelle Robins-Reti and Kaipo Olsen-Baker

Black Ferns
Alana Bremner, Carys Dallinger, Amy Du Plessis, Iritana Hohaia, Rosie Kelly, Ayesha Leti-I’iga, Patricia Maliepo, Kilisitina Moata’ane, Lisa Molia, Krystal Murray, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Marcelle Parkes, Grace Steinmetz and Langi Veainu

Moana Pasifika
Grace Kukutai, Mele Hufunga, Dajian Brown, Masuisuimatamaali Pauaraisa, Fa’asua Makisi, Luisa Togotogorua, Karla Wright-Akeli, Tysha Ikenasio, Katelyn Vaha’akolo, Makayla Eli, Shannon Muru, Kiana Wereta, Tafito Lafaele

Bovidae

Stargazer

Crucial

AB Black were terrible. They had the experience on their side but were static. Passing to players in poor positions, zero penetration.
Maybe it’s getting close to retirement for some of those guys.
AB White were the Joe Webber show. He was on fire

Bones

@crucial said in Invitational, provincial, local & school sevens tournaments:

AB Black were terrible. They had the experience on their side but were static. Passing to players in poor positions, zero penetration.
Maybe it’s getting close to retirement for some of those guys.
AB White were the Joe Webber show. He was on fire

Well I've only seen the highlights, but I was expecting something completely different after reading this, rather than the 1 try win by a team with such inexperience like Webber, Molia, Knewstubb, Joass, Nicole, Ware....

ARHS

Curry and Warbrick were a little hesitant at times as were some of the newbies. But the other experienced hands seemed fairly accurate to me. Coombes Fabling stood out with his try saving cover tackle and elusiveness.