2018-2019 World Sevens Series

[booboo]

If he had spat i suspect Baker wouldn't have been so passive. I reckon it would have kicked off big time.

[taniwharugby]

Say it dont spray it?

Spray and walk away?

[KiwiPie]

NZ Womens Sevens team apparently now with 48 consecutive victories and a year unbeaten - that's pretty impressive from being thrashed in last year's Sydney final. Someone has done some serious work on building depth given the star finisher Woodman is injured, Kelly Brazier the playmaker is injured and Nathan-Wong, the other playmaker and kicker missed the final. They didn't skip a beat and all the replacements look like they know their roles so well.

Similar with the men, seems like everyone is injured and yet the guys coming in all look good.

[Stargazer]

All Blacks 7s squad for the Las Vegas Sevens (1-3 March):

Kurt Baker - Manawatu
Sam Dickson - Canterbury
Scott Gregory - Northland
Trael Joass - Bay of Plenty
Vilimoni Koroi - Otago
Tim Mikkelson - Waikato
Sione Molia - Counties Manukau
Jona Nareki - Otago
Joe Ravouvou - Auckland
Akuila Rokolisoa - Counties Manukau
Tone Ng Shiu - Ta$man
Te Puoho Stephens - Ta$man*
Regan Ware - Taranaki

*potential debutant

Injuries to forwards Scott Curry, Dylan Collier, Amanaki Nicole and Luke Masirewa sees Stephens promoted to the All Blacks Sevens squad for the Las Vegas and Vancouver tournaments. 

“Te Puoho Stephens is a non-contracted player that we have brought in to our group. He has had a good couple of years for  Ta$man at the National Sevens and in our development programme this season so it is a great opportunity for him,” said Coach Clark Laidlaw. 

Following the Las Vegas tournament the team will travel to Canada for the Vancouver Sevens the following weekend.  

Pool games

Saturday 2nd March
1.06pm NZT v Samoa
4.07pm NZT v Canada

Sunday 3rd March
9.36am NZT v Spain

LIVE on Sky Sport Pop-up 2 (channel 56)

[Machpants]

As a percentage, 7s injuries are so much higher!

[Stargazer]

All Blacks 7s squad for the Las Vegas Sevens this weekend:

1 Trael Joass
2 Tim Mikkelson (c)
3 Tone Ng Shiu
4 Joe Ravouvou
5 Scott Gregory
6 Vilimoni Koroi
7 Sam Dickson
8 Akuila Rokolisoa
9 Regan Ware
10 Kurt Baker
11 Jona Nareki
12 Sione Molia (c)

Stephens is the travelling reserve.

All Blacks Sevens Coach Clark Laidlaw has made two injury enforced changes to the side that lifted the trophy in Sydney, with Andrew Knewstubb and Amanaki Nicole replaced by Akuila Rokolisoa and Trael Joass. 

“Trael and Akuila both played well at the World Cup last year but have had limited game time since. Both players are hungry and excited about getting an opportunity and we’re excited about the freshness they will bring."

The team travelled to the USA earlier than usual which has had a positive impact on preparation.

STAT CHAT

* The All Blacks Sevens have finished second on five occasions in Las Vegas (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015), they have never won the Cup Final at the event.
* The All Blacks Sevens sit first equal on the World Series points table with hosts, USA – they need to finish in the top four to automatically qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games. 
* The All Blacks Sevens currently lead the World Series for most tackles, with 413, 40 ahead of Fiji who sits in second.
* Andrew Knewstubb is the Series leading points scorer, with 145 points, but will sit out this tournament with injury. 
* All Blacks Sevens co-captain Sione Molia currently leads the DHL Performance Tracker this season as the player making the most impact on the field throughout the season. 

Pool games in my previous post.

[Stargazer]

First round of results. Only just now tuning in. I didn't see any of the games.

[Stargazer]

That's a bs yellow for Joass. Nothing wrong with that tackle.

[Stargazer]

NZ 33 - 19 Canada

Very average first half (HT: 14 - 12 to NZ), much better 2nd. Far more urgency and greater line-speed resulted in far better defence and more possession.

Some questionable decisions from the officials led to a Canadian try in each half.

[Stargazer]

Good third win from the AB7s against Spain: 19 - 7 (HT: 14 - 0). When they didn't have possession, their defence was fast and sharp. Like a double concrete wall. The only Spanish try came when Ravouvou was in the bin for a deliberate knock-on. Koroi's try at the end of the first half was awesome.

They'll play the Cup QF at 2.48pm against Fiji; Fiji finished 2nd in their pool after losing 15 - 26 to Australia this morning.

[Stargazer]

Why are they singing the USA anthem right in the middle of the tournament? Are they doing that before every US game at this tournament? Imagine the outrage if the AB7s would perform the haka before every game

[canefan]

@Stargazer said in 2018-2019 World Sevens Series:

Why are they singing the USA anthem right in the middle of the tournament? Are they doing that before every US game at this tournament? Imagine the outrage if the AB7s would perform the haka before every game

Could be worse, they could be singing Waltzing Matilda.....

[Bones]

Man, Chile are bloody good! Currently leading France but maybe succumbing to the Bones curse. If they always play like this they'd be a great addition to the regulars.

[Bones]

And I see Spain beat Wales, so they're pretty handy too, puts the NZ game in perspective.

[Stargazer]

Damn, we're shit. Going to lose this one to Fiji.

[Bones]

Mikkelson having a disgraceful game. Fiji leading NZ in the quarters, 14-5

[Stargazer]

That's better. Try Molia.

[Bones]

Great play by Ng Shiu, Dickson, Molia. 14-12

[Stargazer]

Wow, things change quickly.

[Bones]

Wooo! Fiji try to bully it at the end, NZ get the holding on penalty. Great comeback and staunch defence at the end. Nice jinx @Stargazer !