2023 World Sevens Series
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Thought Blyde and Rokolisoa were the best players on show at the event.
Was annoyed by the TJ intervention in bronze v USA. Very soft yellow and a mockery of the rules. But they rose above it.
Pretty impressive performances by both teams with so many stars missing. -
@Higgins Hopefully, his overall swansong and not just sevens, because I don't want to see him back in black & white hoops ever again! The only Magpies fullbacks I want to see in 2023 are named Makene, Godfrey, Visinia or, preferably, Sullivan.
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@Stargazer As a member of Napier Tech for more than 40 years, I am somewhat nervous if he restricts his participation to club level only! My heart may not be able to withstand the palpitations brought on by some of his more adventurous play, particularly those that come unstuck!
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But New Zealand will not be among them, with NZ Rugby confirming to the Herald that its time hosting the event will end after this season.
NZR general manager of professional rugby and performance Chris Lendrum said last week’s announcement from World Rugby was no surprise, with the wheels in motion on a rebrand for more than a year.
“The announcement itself is no surprise. What’s disappointing is the impact for New Zealand and we won’t be hosting a World Series event past this January,” Lendrum said.
“We expressed interest as an existing host of a tournament in the series in Hamilton and wished to carry on hosting, if we could find a way to do that. We had several discussions with World Rugby around it, but we have been told we won’t be successful.”
Paywalls are easy to circumvent. Your local library's website also provides full access to daily editions of the NZ Herald.
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@Tim said in 2023 World Sevens Series:
But New Zealand will not be among them, with NZ Rugby confirming to the Herald that its time hosting the event will end after this season.
NZR general manager of professional rugby and performance Chris Lendrum said last week’s announcement from World Rugby was no surprise, with the wheels in motion on a rebrand for more than a year.
“The announcement itself is no surprise. What’s disappointing is the impact for New Zealand and we won’t be hosting a World Series event past this January,” Lendrum said.
“We expressed interest as an existing host of a tournament in the series in Hamilton and wished to carry on hosting, if we could find a way to do that. We had several discussions with World Rugby around it, but we have been told we won’t be successful.”
Paywalls are easy to circumvent. Your local library's website also provides full access to daily editions of the NZ Herald.
All sounds way too hard. Why would I do that when there is here?
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I wonder how a regional sevens series or one off comp would go for the level below national. Where do the sevens source their players from? Amateur and semi pro players they see at club sevens and then at provincial level tournaments. You could have 5 or 6 teams based on Super rugby regions to provide a level of Sevens above provincial. Add in some Fiji and Samoa teams. Have some quality onsite entertainment to keep the party theme as well as family friendly stuff.
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@mikedogz Are you talking about the regional sevens and the national sevens tournament that we had for years, pre-covid? Provincial teams, with players from NPC without SR contracts and some club players? I'd love them to bring that back, but it hardly compensates for the loss of a leg of the World Series.
There's also the Oceania 7s in which NZ has participated a few times with the NZ men's and women's development teams. That's a one-off tournament.
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@mikedogz said in 2023 World Sevens Series:
They should be bringing all that back , my idea is a next tier above provincial but below national. A non world series tournament could be an option if the NZR and the current or future promotors were keen.
I like it but the issue may be whether the franchises would agree. Would they want the burden of running a separate 'code' alongside their XVs? They certainly wouldn't want to lose XVs players across to Sevens.
How about an elevated Nationals round. Qualifying tournament with top 6 entry to the 'Festival'. Add in some PI representation as suggested.
It should be more about the festival than the rugby. Make it a family event.
Would also provide a sorting ground for up and coming youngsters to shine and fill the gap after schools tournaments. Would also deepen the coaching resources.