2018-2019 World Sevens Series
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@NTA said in 2018-2019 World Sevens Series:
I have managed to watch a bit of Samoa and NZ in 7s since getting KayoSports and it is interesting to look at the relative improvement of Samoa under Tietjens - their accuracy, fitness, and contact work is superb. NZ have not exactly stagnated, but they're not the force they were previously IMHO.
NZ drifting back to the pack happened under the last couple of years of Tietjens. Coaching isn't the main factor.. obviously people have mentioned other teams taking it more seriously now that it's in the Olympics.
I think another issue is the quality of players coming into the NZ 7's program.It seems that up and coming loosies are happier to be on the fringes of Super Rugby than to do a stint on the 7's circuit. Has greater specialisation made it a bad career option if you want to be an AB? Or even have a good pro xv's career?
I guess Niko Jones is an example of a young loosie going against that trend. But he was just out of school and on the fringes of NPC not SR.
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@Duluth Agree with that. The Ignite 7s programme only started end of last year, so we'll still have to wait acouple of years whether it will have a positive impact on men's sevens and results in more and better young players chosing the 7s pathway. I also still think that they should do a Going for Gold programme for prospective male players, just like they've done for the women. Who knows, they may identify and pick up a good football, basket ball or volley ball player who wants to give sevens a go.
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what is a full time 7s contract worth? wasnt it touted as being about $150k?
So if that is a FT one, what are the guys who are in and out of the squad? (e.g Scott Gregory)
While playing it for a season or 2, even for $150k would be appealing for the younger blokes, but there is alot of travel involved (even more than super which is saying something) so is it really a rugby career for many who likely aspire to play for the AB's (the real ABs)
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Nah it's a crap option for rugby in NZ. From the last 2016 bargaining, unless it has gone up alot in 2019?
"Sevens contracts for men range from $30,000 to $80,000-plus a year - but most sit at the lower end. For women, the top contracts tally with the lowest men's contracts. And both genders mainly fly economy because World Rugby pays for flights to tournaments.
In contrast, Super Rugby contracts currently have a minimum of $70,000 - and players must be paid at least $18,000 for having a Mitre 10 Cup contract.Even rookie Super Rugby players can be assured of making close to $100,000 a year and that comes with the guarantee of business class travel."
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All Blacks 7s squad for the Paris Sevens:
1 Scott Curry (cc)
2 Tim Mikkelson (cc)
3 Tone Ng Shiu
4 Joseva Ravouvou
5 Dylan Collier
6 Jona Nareki
7 Amanaki Nicole
8 Andrew Knewstubb
9 Regan Ware
10 Ngarohi McGarvey-Black
11 Joe Webber
12 Sione Molia*Vilimoni Koroi is the travelling reserve
Laidlaw paid credit to Curry ahead of his 50th tournament. “It’s a huge achievement, to lead and play the way he does is a huge credit to him and his family. The way he conducts himself makes him an awesome ambassador for the team on and off the field.”Pool games: (times in NZT)
Saturday, 1 June
11.12pm: v ScotlandSunday, 2 June
2.38am: v Japan
6.26am: v FranceLive on Sky Sport pop up channel 2 (channel 56).
http://www.allblacks.com/News/34203/all-blacks-sevens-primed-for-last-hit-out-of-the-season
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What is going on in the sevens programme that they are pushed like that against Scotland?
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@antipodean Two things IMO. NZ just isn't as good anymore as they used to be and other countries have become better since it's an Olympic sport (more funding).
Not sure what the problem with NZ is. Coaching? Some players just not good enough? Probably both.
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