2016 World Sevens Series
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="567748" data-time="1459119148">
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<p>Question: how big is the Squad for Rio?</p>
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<p>12 is the usual squad size. </p>
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<p>I read Hansen's comments too, and agree with you. Smith wanted to have the best of both worlds (play a full Super rugby season and sevens). Sevens has changed a lot so Tietjens needs as much time with the players as possible. It's a shame that the team won't be as strong as it could be but they will still have a good squad.</p> -
<p>I thought the squad was being extended for Rio, or was that just what was being asked for? </p>
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<p>Reckon Eric Murray could sit on the bench if they needed him to! </p>
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<p>It is a tough really, I mean the lure of a shot at gold, over a normal lengthy Super season, making ABs and then hoping to cement the spot for the Lions...</p>
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<p>Even someone like Ben Smith knows that if he was to step away from the AB environment, and someone else stepped in and up, it might cost hiim a shot at the Lions and he may live to regret it. </p> -
It's just a pity that the Lions tour next year, otherwise a number of players would have jumped across IMO.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="567786" data-time="1459126846">
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<p>Reckon Eric Murray could sit on the bench if they needed him to! </p>
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<p>He was in my year at school and played in the first 15... which wasn't a particularly successful team to be fair. He was quite a bit chunkier back then and his engine has probably improved :)</p>
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<p>He'd get in amongst it, that's for sure.</p> -
<p>Can report that DJ Forbes, Scott Curry, Tim Mikkelson, Sherwin Stowers, Liam Messam plus 1 were having breakfast in the Sidetrack Cafe at the Mount this morning. Grant McQuoid was also there at another table but I suspect he isn't close to Sevens selection.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Unco" data-cid="567917" data-time="1459164683">
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<p>When do the Ioane's and Ardie rejoin the squad? Early May?</p>
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<p>Yes, for the final 2 rounds in Paris and London in May (starting May 13).</p> -
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<p>Sonny Bill Williams returns from injury and Hurricanes backline utility Pita Ahki from the wilderness in Gordon Tietjens' New Zealand sevens squad for the next two world series tournaments in Hong Kong and Singapore.</p>
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<p>World Cup-winning All Black Williams is over the knee injury that kept him out for the last two tournaments and has been returned to the squad of 14, from which the playing 12 will be chosen for Hong Kong (April 8-10) and Singapore (April 16-17).</p>
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<p>But Ahki's inclusion, out of the Canes Super Rugby squad, is the biggest surprise as Tietjens casts his net wider following recent long-term injuries to Ben Lam and Joe Webber.</p>
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<p>The North Harbour back last played for New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and was also a member of the 2013 World Cup-winning side.</p>
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<p>"We've lost Joe Webber and Ben Lam to injury, so Pita gives us that experience. Defensively he's very strong and has a very good understanding of the game which is hugely important," Tietjens said.</p>
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<p>The coach said it had been a difficult selection after Wednesday's trial in Mount Maunganui.</p>
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<p>"The key this year is getting the balance right so we give all the players the opportunity in a really important year to stake their claim to be in contention for the Olympics. We want to go to Hong Kong and perform really well."</p>
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<p>Wider training group player Sione Molia also wins selection after impressing last time out in Vancouver, while Williams and Isaac Te Tamaki return from injury which ruled them out of the recent tournaments in Las Vegas and Vancouver.</p>
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<p>Veteran All Black Liam Messam also continues his managed return to the abbreviated code.</p>
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<p>"Isaac is probably our fastest player. He has that X-factor and can break out and do things out of nothing so he's a real threat," Tietjens said.</p>
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"Sonny Bill and Liam are back in the reckoning. Liam had a very good final in Vancouver and will want to back that up in Hong Kong.</p>
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<p>"Sonny is coming off the back of two very good tournaments in Sydney and Wellington and wants to get back into it. He's been training well and will be looking forward to Hong Kong.</p>
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<p>"Sonny and Liam love the sevens culture and are both very hard workers. They mix in really well and want to stake their claims to be in the team to go to Rio."</p>
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<p>"All teams can sense we're not far away from Rio," Tietjens added. "We all want to improve at every tournament so these next two tournaments are very important."</p>
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<p>New Zealand has been drawn in Pool A in Hong Kong, alongside Samoa, France and Kenya. First up is France on Friday night, with Kenya and Samoa on Saturday.</p>
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<p>New Zealand sevens squad: Pita Ahki (North Harbour), Kurt Baker (Taranaki), Dylan Collier (Waikato),<br>
Sam Dickson (Canterbury), DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau), Gillies Kaka (Hawke's Bay), Liam Messam (Waikato). Tim Mikkelson (Waikato, capt), Sione Molia (Counties Manukau), Lewis Ormond (Taranaki), Teddy Stanaway (Bay of Plenty), Isaac Te Tamaki (Waikato), Regan Ware (Waikato), Sonny Bill Williams (Counties Manukau).</p>
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<p>Not considered because of injury: Scott Curry, Billy Ropiha and Joe Webber.</p>
<p>Super Rugby players Akira Ioane, Rieko Ioane, Augustine Pulu and Ardie Savea available for final two tournaments in Paris and London. Ben Lam is out with injury.</p>
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<p>Times are NZT:</p>
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<p><strong><span style="font-family:verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Hong Kong Sevens (men)</span></span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family:verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Fri 8/4, 11.44pm: NZ v France</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Sat 9/4, 3.40pm : NZ v Kenya</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Sat 9/4, 7.40pm: NZ v Samoa</span></span></p>
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<p><strong><span style="font-family:verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Atlanta Sevens (women)</span></span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family:verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Sat 9/4, 5.58am: NZ v Japan</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Sat 9/4, 8.42am: NZ v Spain</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Sat 9/4, 11.26am: NZ v USA</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family:verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:10pt;">Only the travelling squads for Hong Kong/Singapore and Atlanta/Langford have been announced, not yet the playing squads.</span></span></p> -
<p>Great to see Ahki back, he's bloody handy - reminds me of Muliaina in 7's.</p>
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<p>Again with the Collier? What the fucking fuck! Don't know much about Molia, Stanaway and Te Tamaki but they sound promising, so good looking squad, especially once you trim to 12 and (inshallah) Collier is gone.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="568691" data-time="1459409937"><p>Great to see Ahki back, he's bloody handy - reminds me of Muliaina in 7's.<br><br>
Again with the Collier? What the fucking fuck! Don't know much about Molia, Stanaway and Te Tamaki but they sound promising, so good looking squad, especially once you trim to 12 and (inshallah) Collier is gone.</p></blockquote> suprised no sherwin stowers in the squad but got to agree on collier,he is really average at best. Collier and stanaway I'm guessing will miss out -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="568691" data-time="1459409937"><p>
Great to see Ahki back, he's bloody handy - reminds me of Muliaina in 7's.<br><br>
Again with the Collier? What the fucking fuck! Don't know much about Molia, Stanaway and Te Tamaki but they sound promising, so good looking squad, especially once you trim to 12 and (inshallah) Collier is gone.</p></blockquote>
Molia looked the goods in BC -
<p>NZ Women's team to play at the Atlanta 7s:</p>
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<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Michaela Blyde (Taranaki)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Kelly Brazier (Bay of Plenty)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Theresa Fitzpatrick* (Auckland)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Sarah Goss (captain) (Manawatu)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Shiray Tane (Hawke’s Bay)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Terina Te Tamaki* (Waikato)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Ruby Tui (Canterbury)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Stacey Waaka* (Waikato)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Katarina Whata-Simpkins (Wellington)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Niall Williams (Auckland)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Selica Winiata (Manawatu)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Portia Woodman (Counties Manukau)</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">*new caps</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://allblacks.com/News/28988/three-new-caps-in-team-for-atlanta-sevens'>http://allblacks.com/News/28988/three-new-caps-in-team-for-atlanta-sevens</a></span></p> -
<p>NZ squad finalised for Hong Kong. Collier not included which is fair enough based on performance.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/sport/300776/two-changes-to-all-blacks-sevens-squad'>http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/sport/300776/two-changes-to-all-blacks-sevens-squad</a></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:10px;color:rgb(25,25,25);font-family:'PT Serif', Georgia, serif;">The team is:</span></p>
<p style="font-family:'PT Serif', Georgia, serif;font-size:18px;color:rgb(25,25,25);"><span style="font-size:10px;">Pita Ahki (North Harbour)</span></p>
<p style="font-family:'PT Serif', Georgia, serif;font-size:18px;color:rgb(25,25,25);"><span style="font-size:10px;">Kurt Baker (Taranaki)</span></p>
<p style="font-family:'PT Serif', Georgia, serif;font-size:18px;color:rgb(25,25,25);"><span style="font-size:10px;">Sam Dickson (Canterbury)</span></p>
<p style="font-family:'PT Serif', Georgia, serif;font-size:18px;color:rgb(25,25,25);"><span style="font-size:10px;">DJ Forbes (Counties Manukau)</span></p>
<p style="font-family:'PT Serif', Georgia, serif;font-size:18px;color:rgb(25,25,25);"><span style="font-size:10px;">Gillies Kaka (Hawke's Bay)</span></p>
<p style="font-family:'PT Serif', Georgia, serif;font-size:18px;color:rgb(25,25,25);"><span style="font-size:10px;">Liam Messam (Waikato)</span></p>
<p style="font-family:'PT Serif', Georgia, serif;font-size:18px;color:rgb(25,25,25);"><span style="font-size:10px;">Tim Mikkelson (Captain) (Waikato)</span></p>
<p style="font-family:'PT Serif', Georgia, serif;font-size:18px;color:rgb(25,25,25);"><span style="font-size:10px;">Sione Molia (Counties Manukau)</span></p>
<p style="font-family:'PT Serif', Georgia, serif;font-size:18px;color:rgb(25,25,25);"><span style="font-size:10px;">Lewis Ormond (Taranaki)</span></p>
<p style="font-family:'PT Serif', Georgia, serif;font-size:18px;color:rgb(25,25,25);"><span style="font-size:10px;">Isaac Te Tamaki (Waikato)</span></p>
<p style="font-family:'PT Serif', Georgia, serif;font-size:18px;color:rgb(25,25,25);"><span style="font-size:10px;">Regan Ware (Waikato)</span></p>
<p style="font-family:'PT Serif', Georgia, serif;font-size:18px;color:rgb(25,25,25);"><span style="font-size:10px;">Sonny Bill Williams (Counties Manukau)</span></p>
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<p>The NZ men won their game against France at the death, 19-17. I didn't see much of the game, but what I saw during the break in Force v Crusaders wasn't impressive. I hope they play better today.</p>
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<p>Early this morning the NZ women beat Japan 38-5 and they just narrowly beat Spain 10-5. I only saw the last NZ try in that game and it looked good, but listening to the commentators it wasn't an easy win.</p>
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<p>The next game is the women's game against the USA, which is going to be their most difficult game (11.26am) of the day.</p>
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<p>The live stream is here (you may need a geo-unblocker):</p>
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<p>[media] -
Nz men beat Kenya 5-0<br><br><br>
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