2016 World Sevens Series
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="582022" data-time="1464041993">
<div>
<p>Wanting us to win, and expecting us to win are two entirely different things. If Tietjens was able to select the 12 players he wanted at the start of the season and they played the whole series there wouldn't be any excuses.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>There have been 6 different winners in the 10 tournaments. </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>"Expect" might be a bit ambiguous. "Require" perhaps reflects my view better.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>i.e. regardless that we may not be favourites, I require Titch's men to win the gold medal or it's a failure in my eyes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It's harsh, but I'd be surprised if there was anyone in the team thinking differently. I don't think we'll see them looking overjoyed at winning silver or bronze.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="582186" data-time="1464063396"><p>
It's harsh, but I'd be surprised if there was anyone in the team thinking differently. I don't think we'll see them looking overjoyed at winning silver or bronze.</p></blockquote>
<br>
Well they need to pull their heads in then. It's not everyday you win a medal at the Olympic Games. Regardless of what colour it might be if they do win one, I hope they celebrate it as a wonderful achievement. <br><br>
If they don't they come off looking like Aussie swimmers...... -
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The <strong>Clermont 7s</strong>, the last round of the Women's Sevens Series, will be played this weekend.</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>NZ team</strong>:</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Shakira Baker (Waikato)<br>
Kelly Brazier (Bay of Plenty)<br>
Theresa Fitzpatrick (Auckland)<br>
Sarah Goss (captain) (Manawatu)<br>
Kayla McAlister (Auckland)<br>
Huriana Manuel (Auckland)<br>
Terina Te Tamaki (Waikato)<br>
Ruby Tui (Canterbury)<br>
Katarina Whata-Simpkins (Wellington)<br>
Renee Wickliffe (Counties Manukau)<br>
Niall Williams (Auckland)<br>
Portia Woodman (Counties Manukau)<br><br><strong><span style="color:#333333;">Travelling reserves:</span></strong> Selica Winiata (Manawatu), Janna Vaughan (Manawatu)</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Pool games (NZT)</em></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Sat 28/5, 9.00pm: NZ v Russia</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Sat 28/5, 11.44pm: NZ v Japan</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Sun 29/5, 2.28am: NZ v Canada</span></span></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="582630" data-time="1464164720"><p>Ireland compete as an all-Ireland team for the Olympics so it is only Great Britain.</p></blockquote>
<br>
Not exactly. I seem to recall this coming up on these forums before, so forgive me if I'm preaching to the choir - "Team GB" is the simplified branding for the GB and NI Olympic team. The Olympic Committee of Ireland has always viewed itself as an all-island body, and has at various times in its history got into disputes with the IOC over the IOC's unwanted use of political prefixes to the basic "Ireland". NI athletes are given the choice of competing for Team GB or Ireland, more by accident than design, as this article describes:<br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland_at_the_Olympics#Political_issues">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland_at_the_Olympics#Political_issues</a> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Disgusted of TW" data-cid="582721" data-time="1464210739">
<div>
<p>Not exactly. I seem to recall this coming up on these forums before, so forgive me if I'm preaching to the choir - "Team GB" is the simplified branding for the GB and NI Olympic team. The Olympic Committee of Ireland has always viewed itself as an all-island body, and has at various times in its history got into disputes with the IOC over the IOC's unwanted use of political prefixes to the basic "Ireland". NI athletes are given the choice of competing for Team GB or Ireland, more by accident than design, as this article describes:<br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland_at_the_Olympics#Political_issues">https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ireland_at_the_Olympics#Political_issues</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Right but I think in rugby the players have no choice.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="582728" data-time="1464212129"><p>Right but I think in rugby the players have no choice.</p></blockquote>
<br>
I think that in theory NI rugby players have the same choice as any NI Olympian. In reality, I believe that the IRFU has negotiated (with the OCI and BOA?) that players tied to IRFU can only represent Ireland at the Olympics. So if Team GB wanted to select a rank outsider from NI, they'd be eligible; but of course that's never going to happen. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="583066" data-time="1464289176"><p>I suspect it will essentially England regardless of who is available. <br>
Heard something that they only had one of the champion Scotland team in contention for the team.<br>
Not sure there'd be many Taffs either.</p></blockquote>
<br>
Based on what I saw at Twickers last Sunday, I hope not! I can only imagine that England were spectacularly different on the Saturday to beat Fiji. Against Scotland they looked leaden of foot and thought, very disappointing (nice smoked brisket roll from a stall outside the west stand, though, so the day had some good points too. Last list I saw there were four lads from the Scotland sevens team, plus Mark Bennett from the XVs. -
It must be Ruby Tui's day. Somebody should write a song about it...
