Olympics Thread

Cookie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bones" data-cid="593925" data-time="1467620201">Only the English could be that scared of the word "playoff".</blockquote>
 
"Knockout stage" really gets us running for cover

Gary

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="593913" data-time="1467614828">
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I think that's rubbish about the brand stuff given that TV viewer numbers for rugby has apparently been increasing in the USA over a number of years now. Those that will tune into the 7s won't be expecting all the AB stars that win World Cups because they know the difference because they have become more educated over several years of targeted media campaigns for their own 7s team and the tournaments.
 
If the NZ 7s are beaten by Fiji or Saffa's I don't think it will be that much of a surprise to be honest or damaging, it will however be massive if someone else does though! 
 
I will be watching and actually looking forward to it. My daughter loves watching the 7s as well, so she is keen to watch also
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Up here when Canada beat NZ at sevens last year it was pretty much reported Canada beats all Blacks at rugby ~ I got a shit load of ribbing about it.

Bones

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gary" data-cid="593974" data-time="1467639666">Up here when Canada beat NZ at sevens last year it was pretty much reported Canada beats all Blacks at rugby ~ I got a shit load of ribbing about it.</blockquote>
They did. It's the All Black 7s team.

Hooroo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ACT Crusader" data-cid="593913" data-time="1467614828">
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I think that's rubbish about the brand stuff given that TV viewer numbers for rugby has apparently been increasing in the USA over a number of years now. Those that will tune into the 7s won't be expecting all the AB stars that win World Cups because they know the difference because they have become more educated over several years of targeted media campaigns for their own 7s team and the tournaments.
 
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That was the point they were making. THe brand is getting decent coverage in the states and this could potentially ruin that if we lose to some 15's muppets but 7's elite.
 
Hopefully your second sentance rings true.
 
I thought they had a valid point but won't be proven until after Rio (If they don't win)

antipodean

The only things I routinely watch are Olympic weightlifting and athletics.

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cookie" data-cid="593938" data-time="1467623596">
"Knockout stage" really gets us running for cover</blockquote>"Barnes" does it for me

Baxymoron

Does anyone know what time the games will be on our time?

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Baxymoron" data-cid="594148" data-time="1467692400">
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Does anyone know what time the games will be on our time?
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NZ times: 
 
The Rio Olympics website gives times between 2.00am and 10.00am on Sunday 7 & Monday 8 August (women) and Wednesday 10 & Thursday 11 August (men). On these days, the pool games, 9-12th place play-offs and Quarter Finals are played.
 
5th-12th place play-offs and Semifinals are played between 3.30am and 6.30am on Tuesday 9 August (women) and Friday 12 August (men).
 
The games for 7-8th place, 5-6th place, Bronze and Final are played between 8.30am and 11.00am on Tuesday 9 August (women) and Friday 12 August (men).
 
Schedule search:
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://ingressos.rio2016.com/rio2016.htm?token=7378283B123EB505E412A4D7A9E5F5C8&pass_through=hm38UCfAPaVlVI_frKubs1983Lh59tpL3yFvF4Gzm1aTsuiyhmi-rxAGBs2UmBgqIEwq6BSaFpNr NZKxRjuqF4uDNWQFlc12E1Ne3uCRTlezQPRqVb7n1a81rhs4p-XEnsroF5TmCYbvDmpQfpuhhg3i ovUgB9x5b-_3whXxHMEMbad5hbC07SpuFkJJ32JObhrDD-Cy6ZbuGirgfiM6EEpw_PDsGCNANZJH RXuYzsq2KRWzIfvxyKnAp0P3A5fJKpNM9bv_rm70VQkn6fUsXc5tSE9loyXsT0HjXQ7gQwE &affiliate=OGF&language=en'>https://ingressos.rio2016.com/rio2016.htm?token=7378283B123EB505E412A4D7A9E5F5C8&pass_through=hm38UCfAPaVlVI_frKubs1983Lh59tpL3yFvF4Gzm1aTsuiyhmi-rxAGBs2UmBgqIEwq6BSaFpNr NZKxRjuqF4uDNWQFlc12E1Ne3uCRTlezQPRqVb7n1a81rhs4p-XEnsroF5TmCYbvDmpQfpuhhg3i ovUgB9x5b-_3whXxHMEMbad5hbC07SpuFkJJ32JObhrDD-Cy6ZbuGirgfiM6EEpw_PDsGCNANZJH RXuYzsq2KRWzIfvxyKnAp0P3A5fJKpNM9bv_rm70VQkn6fUsXc5tSE9loyXsT0HjXQ7gQwE &affiliate=OGF&language=en</a>
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://smsprio2016-a.akamaihd.net/sport/T9NLlG/rio2016_spectator_guide_og_rugby_en.pdf'>https://smsprio2016-a.akamaihd.net/sport/T9NLlG/rio2016_spectator_guide_og_rugby_en.pdf</a> (Sevens spectator guide)
 
 
The match schedule hasn't been released yet. FYI, NZ is 15 hours ahead of Rio.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="593803" data-time="1467564325">
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I expect to see Titch use the gameplan from Wellington round (minus Lam). That was very effective. Expect to see Akira appear on the wing more than Reiko, and Reiko to slice through holes in the midfield.
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Having said that, I'm not overly confident for Rio. I hope I'm wrong. We're really lacking the express pace of Fiji and SA so NZ will need to dominate the breakdown to be successful.

KiwiMurph

Looks like timings are roughly the following:
 
Day 1 and 2 - 2am nz time = first game of the day, 9.30am nz time = last game of day
 
Day 3 - 3.30am nz time = first gamer of the day, gold medal game = 10am nz time.

Stargazer

The Olympic Sevens match schedules have been released:
 
NZ Women â€“ draw in NZT:
 
Sun 7/8, 2.30am: v Kenya
Sun 7/8, 7.30am: v Spain
Mon 8/8, 2.30am: v France
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.worldrugby.org/sevens-series/stage/1671/fixtures'>http://www.worldrugby.org/sevens-series/stage/1671/fixtures</a>
 
 
NZ Men â€“ draw in NZT:
 
Wed 10/8, 3.30am: v Japan
Wed 10/8, 8.30am: v Kenya
Thu 11/8, 3.30am: v Great Britain
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.worldrugby.org/sevens-series/stage/1672/fixtures'>http://www.worldrugby.org/sevens-series/stage/1672/fixtures</a>

KiwiMurph

Are those times meant to be AM Stargazer?

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiMurph" data-cid="594428" data-time="1467773715">
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Are those times meant to be AM Stargazer?
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Ah, yes, I'll change that in my post. Thx.

taniwharugby

Kurt Baker on not making the Olympics...
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11671571'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11671571</a>
 
Kurt Baker: 'I feel a bit used by All Blacks Sevens'
 
Kurt Baker has opened up about his shock omission from the New Zealand sevens squad to compete at the Rio Olympics, suggesting a personality conflict with coach Sir Gordon Tietjens may have played a bigger role than on-field form.
"I don't think you have to be a rocket scientist to work out I played every tournament this year and played more minutes than anyone else," Baker told Tony Veitch on Newstalk ZB.
"I definitely challenged him on certain issues. I think that's healthy in a rugby environment."
Baker, along with All Black Liam Messam, were the two key talking points of the New Zealand squad named last Sunday and the rugby community appeared more surprised by Baker's omission then Messam's.
 
<div style="margin:0px 0px 12px 20px;font-size:16px;color:rgb(119,119,119);font-family:Calibri, Candara, Segoe, 'Segoe UI', Optima, Arial, sans-serif;"> </div>
Highlanders forward Joe Wheeler, a former teammate of Baker, took to Twitter saying: "I'm no expert and have never played the game but Sir Gordon has had an absolute blowout!" Wheeler's Tweet was 'liked' by a number of high profile New Zealand players including Aaron Smith, Marty Banks and Jason Emery.
Baker said he was "peeved" by the situation.
"I felt a bit used during the season," he said. "I just think sometimes there is a bit of division between what the players think and what some of the management think."
Baker said it was disappointing the All Blacks didn't commit to the Olympic programme and suggested the current environment may be a factor in that.
 
"Yeah, I think it's quite sad those guys didn't feel comfortable in the sevens environment."
Karl Te Nana, a multiple Commonwealth Games gold medallist for New Zealand and one of the country's best sevens players, said he couldn't fathom the decision to drop Baker.
"I feel for him. I thought he'd done enough to warrant selection. He's our best stand-off and a huge piece that is missing from our line-up," Te Nana said.
"Kurt spoke about challenging Gordon Tietjens and I know, having played for him and captained for him over a long period, you have to choose your battles. I think with Kurt challenging Tietjens in front of teammates is probably not the place to do it."
Tony Veitch talks to Karl Te Nana:
Te Nana admits rumours have been swirling around for a number of months about a fractured sevens environment, which may have impacted on New Zealand's star All Blacks not committing to Rio.
"That's disappointing to hear, and our ethos on why the 15s guys would always like to come back is because of that environment.
"I mean, if the players are butting heads with the management and the 15-a-side guys say that, it's pretty disappointing."
Te Nana believes not picking Ben Smith, who was made available to Tietjens after the June series against Wales, is another big mistake.
"I'd love to have Ben Smith any day of the week. Five weeks is probably long enough for him to be introduced to the sevens campaign. With him and Kurt Baker, you would have a pretty good first-five combo."
Gordon Tietjens responds with Tony Veitch on NewstalkZB at 1pm today.

booboo

Knowing absolutely nothing but this seems like sour grapes to me. I reckon he got dropped as he wasn't as good as the others. 
Reckon there's a bit of shit stirring going on here. 
Titch has delivered over years. He must know a bit about 7s. 
And I back him for not picking Ben Smith. 
And I'm convinced that Savea was given the word to drop out to make the ABs.

taniwharugby

yeah you'd have to think given Titch success with a wide range of players over such a long period, if "rumours have been swirling around for a number of months about a fractured sevens environment" you would have to thnk it is more likely a player or players that have fractured the environment

booboo

Listening to Baker and now Te Nana. 
Te Nana seems to be suggesting the Baker shat in his own nest. Overdoing the conflict with Titch.

booboo

And i don't think he was that good this year.

booboo

Ha! Baker was named as travelling reserve. Massive chance of actually playing. Cutting his nose off to spite his face.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="595325" data-time="1468033008">
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Ha! Baker was named as travelling reserve. Massive chance of actually playing. Cutting his nose off to spite his face.
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Baker wasn't one of the original travelling reserves named. That was Molia and Ormond.
 
He seems to be a bit of a prat but I still thought he would be picked. Obviously the injury-prone Webber has been picked in that position. 
 
I was surprised Stanaway made the cut too. My only memory of him in the Sevens series was costing NZ a game (vs Samoa?) with a brain implosion with time up.

The Silver Fern

Olympics Thread