2023 World Sevens Series

[Bones]

@ACT-Crusader said in 2023 World Sevens Series:

@Bones Ormond was awesome all throughout the tourney especially in those key pool games against OZ and Boks. Even a guy that is as fit as he is looked spent in the finals.

I think that's one of highs of the year for me already - a guy that used to be sooooo average and just "there" a few years ago, is all of a sudden back and carving up no matter who the opposition.

Everyone was out on their feet by halftime against Fiji, one of the best winning efforts I've seen for this tourney.

[Daffy Jaffy]

First leg final Tonga v Germany -
The men's challenger tour has twelve national teams competing and will be played as two tournaments on 20–22 and 28–30 April 2023 in Stellenbosch, South Africa,[1] with the winner gaining entry to the 2023 London Sevens core team qualifier.

in the semi's Tonga beat Hong Kong 33 - 0 and Germany beat Belgium 19 - 5.

[Stargazer]

• South Africa women defeat Belgium to take one step closer towards HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series core status.

• Tonga men capture cup title over Germany in pulsating final to lead race towards qualifying for the four-team playoff at HSBC London Sevens.

• Challenger Series finale set for 28-30 April at Markötter Stadium in Stellenbosch.

• China women and Hong Kong China men win bronze medal matches over Poland and Belgium respectively.

• Winner of two-round women’s competition based on aggregate points to secure Sevens World Series entry.

• Men’s competition winner based on aggregate points following second event to enter a four-team play-off at the HSBC London Sevens in May with the winner achieving the coveted Sevens World Series 2024 status.

Rugby News: 23/24 Sevens Latest Updates | HSBC World Rugby SVNS Series

[ARHS]

@Stargazer could not believe Belgium pushing through and Chile failing at qf. Thought it would be between Chile and Tonga. Germany is the surprise packet.

[Stargazer]

Travelling squad for Toulouse, the BF7s last World Series tournament of the season.

[Crucial]

Didn't realise Blyde is injured again.
No chance of her overhauling Levi for the year on tries scored now.

[Bovidae]

Too much sentimentality in the selections. What's the point of picking Guthrie? Brazier on been on sabbatical all year, as she has had little influence on the success of the team.

[Bovidae]

The AB sevens team just got a whole lot older.

Experienced All Blacks Sevens team named for Toulouse

All Blacks Sevens Head Coach Clark Laidlaw has named an experienced team to take the field at the HSBC World Series in Toulouse.

All Blacks Sevens:
Scott Curry
Brady Rush
Akuila Rokolisoa
Dylan Collier (Vice-Captain)
Sam Dickson (Captain)
Leroy Carter
Moses Leo
Che Clark
Tepaea Cook-Savage
Sione Molia (Vice-Captain)
Tim Mikkelson
Roderick Solo
Regan Ware

Unavailable for selection: Amanaki Nicole, Andrew Knewstubb and Ngarohi McGarvey Black and Tone Ng Shiu (injury). Lewis Ormond and Joe Webber (personal).

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae So Scott Curry, Tim Mikkelson, Sam Dickson and Roderick Solo all return from injury. Three veterans and a rookie.

[Bovidae]

And Mikkelson finally gets to play in his 100th international tournament.

[Crucial]

@Bovidae said in 2023 World Sevens Series:

And Mikkelson finally gets to play in his 100th international tournament.

Would be good if he got the chance to add to his try tally too. his time off has some players creeping up on the alltime list

[ARHS]

Strongest looking team we have fielded this year. Would like to have seen Cody Vai in there again though.

[Bovidae]

@ARHS said in 2023 World Sevens Series:

Strongest looking team we have fielded this year. Would like to have seen Cody Vai in there again though.

The NZ U20 camps must be starting soon, so I am surprised Che Clark is going to Toulouse.

[Stargazer]

[Stargazer]

[Bovidae]

I am surprised no one else has reached this milestone.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae I'm not surprised. If a player would only play the World Series (10 tournaments per year), it would take 10 years. Obviously, there are the RWC Sevens, Commonwealth Games Sevens and the Olympics, but that would only reduce it to 9 years and a bit, if they don't get injured. Most players don't last that long.

[ARHS]

Kudos to Tim. A true great of 7s

[mikedogz]

[Duluth]

So Mikkelson made his debut at the George 7's in 2007

I was curious who he played with in that tournament. I assume he got added later because he wasn't in the initial squad for that tournament:

Tomasi Cama (Manawatu), Edwin Cocker (Auckland), Israel Dagg (Hawke's Bay), DJ Forbes (Auckland), Nigel Hunt (Wellington), Tafai Ioasa (Hawke's Bay, captain), James Kamana (Waikato), Solomon King (Bay of Plenty), Zar Lawrence (North Harbour), Rene Ranger (Northland), Lote Raikabula (Hawke's Bay), Victor Vito (Wellington), Steven Yates (Canterbury)

Kamana, Dagg and Vito were on debut