2018-2019 World Sevens Series
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Black Ferns Sevens squad for the 2019 season:
Shakira Baker (Waikato)
Michaela Blyde (Bay of Plenty)
Kelly Brazier (Bay of Plenty)
Gayle Broughton (Taranaki)
Rhiarna Ferris (Manawatu)
Theresa Fitzpatrick (Auckland)
Huia Harding (Waikato)
Sarah Hirini (nee Goss) (Manawatu)
Jazmin Hotham* (Waikato)
Tyla Nathan Wong (Auckland)
Mahina Paul* (Bay of Plenty)
Risi Pouri-Lane ( Ta$man)
Alena Saili (Southland)
Montessa Tairakena* (Waikato)
Terina Te Tamaki (Waikato)
Ruby Tui (Bay of Plenty)
Stacey Waaka (Waikato)
Kat Whata-Simpkins (Wellington)
Niall Williams (Auckland)
Tenika Willison (Waikato)
Portia Woodman (Counties Manukau)Three, young newbies. Not surprised to see Jazmin Hotham's name in this list; she was already a stand-out when she played for Hamilton Girls' 1st XV and 7s two years ago.
Will take some time to get used to Sarah Goss' new surname, Hirini.
“We have a great balance to the squad. There is a really good bunch of experienced players and now this younger group of new players that add real excitement to the mix. “This year we need to qualify for Tokyo. We have started the season well but that just means more eyes are on us. The first focus is Hamilton, which is awesome for us to play at home for the first time and you can see all the players can’t wait to get there.” Bunting said 2019 training contracts will be offered to players after this week’s development trial. Those players will be involved in the development team programme and train alongside the Black Ferns Sevens squad for 50 days throughout the year.http://www.allblacks.com/News/33604/youthful-injection-to-black-ferns-sevens-in-2019
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2019 contracted All Blacks 7s players:
Kurt Baker - Manawatu
Ngarohi McGarvey-Black - Bay of Plenty
Dylan Collier - Waikato
Scott Curry - Bay of Plenty
Sam Dickson - Canterbury
Scott Gregory - Northland
Trael Joass - Bay of Plenty
Niko Jones - Auckland
Andrew Knewstubb - Horowhenua Kapiti
Vilimoni Koroi - Otago
Luke Masirewa - Bay of Plenty
Tim Mikkelson - Waikato
Sione Molia - Counties Manukau
Jona Nareki - Otago
Amanaki Nicole - Canterbury
Joe Ravouvou - Auckland
Akuila Rokolisoa - Counties Manukau
Tone Ng Shiu - Ta$man
Regan Ware - TaranakiJust days out from the first HSBC World Series Sevens event of the year, the All Blacks Sevens have confirmed the final places in their 2019 squad. Commonwealth Games gold medallists and World Cup winners Sam Dickson and Dylan Collier have recommitted to the side, Dickson through to the Tokyo Olympics and Collier for the 2019 season. Also confirmed in the squad are Luke Masirewa, Tone Ng Shiu and Amanaki Nicole.Dickson, 29, debuted for the All Blacks Sevens in Dubai in 2012 and is one of the team’s most experienced players with 42 World Series tournaments along with appearances as the Rugby World Cup Sevens, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. Waikato’s Dylan Collier debuted in Wellington in 2015 and has gone on to be a regular fixture in the All Blacks Sevens, amassing 29 World Series caps. “Sam and Dylan have been two of the most consistent players in this team over the past few years and it’s important to have that sort of experience because in big moments they have been there and done it.”Tone Ng Shiu, Amanaki Nicole and Luke Masirewa have all re-signed for the 2019 season. Ng Shiu has been a part of the squad for two years, while Nicole made his debut in Hong Kong last year. Masirewa was selected last year after first appearing for the All Blacks Sevens in 2013, he is currently recovering from a shoulder injury.http://www.allblacks.com/News/33617/sam-dickson-and-dylan-collier-re-sign
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Douglas Langley, World Rugby Sevens Series director, said "there is a very good chance" New Zealand would host a women's sevens event running concurrently with the men's when the next four-year cycle for the World Series begins in 2020."New Zealand are interested in a combined event with 16 men's teams and 12 women's teams," Langley said. "It has to over two days, but that's aligned with some work we're doing for what the tournament format should be in the new cycle." New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chief executive Steve Tew has expressed their interest in hosting a women's event during New Zealand's leg of the series in the 2020-23 cycle, but there are some logistical hurdles to overcome. This season, Dubai and Sydney were the only cities scheduled to host men's and women's events concurrently across three days. For New Zealand to add a women's event, Douglas said it would have to be played in two days. The men's event in Hamilton is played across two days, so a women's tournament on top of that would require a revised schedule. However, Douglas said World Rugby were considering shortening the combined three-day events. "We're trying to be innovative; we're trying to look at the modern state of rugby sevens and spectators, broadcasters and partners. "[The three-day events] are very long days. We've got to ask the question: are they conducive to broadcasters, fan engagement and player welfare. "If it's a two-day event, we will look seriously at having a combined event here [in New Zealand]." Douglas said an announcement on the next format of the World Sevens Series was due in March or April. -
I haven't seen updated squad lists, but the women's tournament of the Sydney Sevens begins today. Might help me stay awake while fighting my jetlag.
Black Ferns 7s - pool games
Friday, 1 Feb
3.06pm: v PNG
5.50pm: v France
8.34pm: v EnglandLIVE on Sky Sport Pop-up 1 (channel 55)
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Second win for the BF7s against France: 31 - 7
The French looked strong in the first half, their defence was spot on, but then one of their players slapped the ball forward and was sent to the bin. The Ferns benefited from the one-player-more play and scored two tries. In the second half, the French made a lot of errors and couldn't score when Niall Williams was sent to the bin for a high tackle. The Black Ferns are very, very good in ball retention. It's amazing how they can starve the opposition of the ball. The passing is still a work-on for some players, but all seem to be very good in catching the ball, even from the bad passes, so no harm done. One more pool game to go.
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https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=1220015
All Blacks Sevens Team for Sydney 1. Scott Gregory 2. Tim Mikkelson (c) 3. Tone Ng Shiu 4. Joe Ravouvou 5. Amanaki Nicole 6. Vilimoni Koroi 7. Sam Dickson 8. Andrew Knewstubb 9. Regan Ware 10. Kurt Baker 11. Jona Nareki 12. Sione Molia (c) *Trael Joass is the travelling reserve Black Ferns Sevens Team for Sydney 1. Ruby Tui 2. Shakira Baker 3. Stacey Waaka 4. Niall Williams 5. Sarah Hirini (nee Goss) – captain 6. Michaela Blyde 7. Tyla Nathan-Wong 8. Kat Whata-Simpkins 9. Gayle Broughton 10. Theresa Fitzpatrick 11. Terina Te Tamaki 12. Alena Saili *Rhiarna Ferris is the travelling reserve -
So AB7s without Scott Curry (ankle) and Dylan Collier (hamstring), who have been replaced in the playing squad by Scott Gregory and Amanaki Nicole (Trael Joass coming in as travelling reserve instead of Gregory).
If I'm correct, we'll meet Fiji in the semis if NZ, Fiji, USA and South Africa all top their pools after day 1 and win their Cup QFs.
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Full time: 29 - 0 to the Black Ferns 7s.
Great game to watch. England's defence was good, but the Ferns were so patient and just didn't allow the English girls to get into the game. Good show of strength from players like Waaka, Baker and Fitzpatrick today, and - of course - top speed from Blyde. She's a machine! Great stepping from Broughton & Nathan-Wong would do well for the Football Ferns, too.
