2016-2017 World Sevens Series
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@Bones Yes, I liked this game, except for the ref. Thought he was quite pedantic and, initially, thought he hated the colour black and was going to penalise the Kiwis for everything he possibly could. Until the second half, when he did exactly the same pedantic stuff to the English team. There were times I wished he would swallow that whistle. One big difference between the two teams was that when the AB7s were a man down, they kept on playing well (despite letting in one converted try). The English, on the other hand, became disorganised without their 7th man and it became easy for our boys to score points. The Poms never seemed to come back from that, but I found that penalty try quite harsh on them.
Indeed, Mikkelson is looking really good; I also understand why they select Molia and Iopu-Aso, who are powerful runners (although not quite like the Ioane bros). Collier and also Kiri Kiri shouldn't be there. Too early to tell whether Te Tamaki and Ngaluafe add enough to the team. As to a playmaker, Ruru is still a rookie, so I'd give him some time to develop. I do wonder, whether Kaka has left the sevens game for good, or whether he'll return after the Japanese competition has finished. Also, we will maybe see some new players being introduced after the National 7s? We need a fast runner in additional to the powerful guys.
Anyway, NZ still on track (leading their pool) and in the Cup QF.
Next game v Kenya at 11.26pm tonight.
By the way, what's wrong with the Aussies? Didn't make the Cup QF.
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@Tordah said in 2016-2017 World Sevens Series:
Blitzbokke win 14-7 but NZ got a few rough penalties against them (including a "neck roll" that was barely breast high). Both teams looked evenly matched, nice improvement by the AB7s.
Yeah. After 2 games 54 to the Blitzbokke All Stars ... 7 to the NZ Grandpas.
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@JustAnotherFan said in 2016-2017 World Sevens Series:
@Tordah said in 2016-2017 World Sevens Series:
Blitzbokke win 14-7 but NZ got a few rough penalties against them (including a "neck roll" that was barely breast high). Both teams looked evenly matched, nice improvement by the AB7s.
Yeah. After 2 games 54 to the Blitzbokke All Stars ... 7 to the NZ Grandpas.
so 7-14 is an improvement from 0-40, yes?
3rd place match vs Scotland is won 24-19, that looked like a 2nd string brigade out there and they played like it. Kaka is sorely missed, he could ignite some sparks, Khan is not quite there IMO
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@Tordah said in 2016-2017 World Sevens Series:
@JustAnotherFan said in 2016-2017 World Sevens Series:
@Tordah said in 2016-2017 World Sevens Series:
Blitzbokke win 14-7 but NZ got a few rough penalties against them (including a "neck roll" that was barely breast high). Both teams looked evenly matched, nice improvement by the AB7s.
Yeah. After 2 games 54 to the Blitzbokke All Stars ... 7 to the NZ Grandpas.
so 7-14 is an improvement from 0-40, yes?
3rd place match vs Scotland is won 24-19, that looked like a 2nd string brigade out there and they played like it. Kaka is sorely missed, he could ignite some sparks, Khan is not quite there IMO
NZ 7s have improved since last week especially at the breakdown. Tim Mikkelson still has speed, but you need real speed (like the BlitzBokke have out wide). Sherwin Stowers had a good tournament. As I understand Kaka is in Japan. Will he be coming back to 7s this season? Blitzbokke are losing their key playmaker (Senatla) after this tournament for SupeRugby. Will be interesting.
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@JustAnotherFan NZ will also likely have some new blood from the Welly tournament onwards, after the NZ nationals. Some more speed would help.
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We seem determined to keep the ball away from contact. The Boks were on to it and spread wide.
I don't mind it as a strategy if you've got a stepper or two in the middle of the park and some genuine pace outside.
Timmy M is still a key man for us.
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The 2017 Black Ferns 7s squad has been named. The contracted squad is (* indicates a new contracted player):
• Sarah Goss (Captain) – Manawatu
• Shakira Baker – Waikato
• Michaela Blyde – Bay of Plenty
• Kelly Brazier – Bay of Plenty
• Gayle Broughton – Taranaki
• Rebekah Cordero-Tufuga – Manawatu*
• Lyric Faleafaga – Wellington (Training Contract)*
• Theresa Fitzpatrick – Auckland*
• Crystal Mayes – Manawatu (Training Contract)*
• Tyla Nathan-Wong – Auckland
• Cheyelle Robins-Reti – Waikato*
• Alena Saili – Otago*
• Terina Te Tamaki – Waikato
• Ruby Tui – Canterbury
• Stacey Waaka – Waikato
• Katarina Whata-Simpkins – Wellington
• Renee Wickliffe – Counties Manukau*
• Niall Williams – Auckland
• Tenika Willison – Waikato*
• Portia Woodman – Counties Manukau“Because we have two training contracts that means we have a space for potential other training contracts and also we have left one full contract that we can fill later. We will be looking to see who comes through the Go For Gold programme, which is aimed at attracting new athletes into sevens rugby.HSBC 2016-2017 World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series
Sydney, Australia: 3-4 February, 2017
Las Vegas, USA: 3-5 March 2017
Kitakyushu, Japan: 23-24 April, 2017
Langford, Canada: 27-28 April, 2017
Clermont-Ferrand, France: 24-25 June, 2017http://www.allblacks.com/News/30275/blacks-ferns-sevens-name-squad-of-20-contracted-players
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I hope Winiata gets a proper explanation, because this is just plain weird. Also missing are Kayla McAlister and Hazel Tubic. Honey Hirime has retired from 7s, not from XVs. Unsure, but the same might apply to Huriana Manuel.
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"Attacking too much" sounds rather simplistic, I find it hard to believe that's the reason given. Plenty of exciting players that try to do too much on their own though and it ends up to the detriment of the team when they often die with the ball or turn it over.
Probably not the best idea to come out slagging the coach when there's still a spot open, but if that really is all she's been told then fair enough.
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All Blacks 7s squad for the Wellington 7s (* indicates new caps):
Scott Curry – Captain – Bay of Plenty
Dylan Collier – Southland
DJ Forbes – Counties Manukau
Iopu Iopu-Aso – Taranaki
Trael Joass* - Ta$man
Rocky Khan – Auckland
Andrew Knewstubb* - Ta$man
Vilimoni Koroi* - Otago
Tim Mikkelson - Waikato
Sione Molia – Counties Manukau
Tone Ng Shiu* - Ta$man
Sherwin Stowers - Counties Manukau
Isaac Te Tamaki – Waikato
Regan Ware – Bay of Plentyhttp://www.allblacks.com/News/30277/four-new-caps-in-all-blacks-sevens-squad-for-wellington
It's an understatement when I say I'm underwhelmed by this squad. I don't understand the sudden love for these Ta$man players; if they performed so well, why didn't their team make the final at the National 7s? Not to speak of the guys who did perform well, who are NOT in the squad.
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@Stargazer Ta$man didn't even make the SFs. Very underwhelming when I saw this squad.
I can't say I'll be rushing to watch the sevens play this season. Have these 4 new players addressed the problem the NZ team has (i.e., a lack of speedsters)?
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@Bovidae Yeah, I had the intention of going at least one day, but now I've seen the squad, I'll watch it on tv. Really disappointed that a guy like Emerson, who is so incredibly quick and played well, is not in the squad. And Dylan Collier is still there? Geez.
