2016-2017 World Sevens Series
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Cape Town Sevens:
Pool A:
SA looked great in Dubai but Aussie and USA are teams on the up well capable of upsets. Still expect them to top it.Pool B:
Fiji should canter through their pool.Pool
Will be a real fight for top spot. Kiwis looked flat in Dubai but I expect them to be much improved in Cape Town. England continue to look great. And don't write off the Argies. Toughest pool in my view.PoolD:
On Dubai form, Wales look likely to be on top, but I expect a much better showing from Samoa. -
@Margin_Walker said in 2016-2017 World Sevens Series:
Hit the bright lights of Rotherham today to watch London Irish play.
That can't possibly have been as much fun as it sounds.
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It was everything I dreamed it would be and more
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@Margin_Walker said in 2016-2017 World Sevens Series:
It was everything I dreamed it would be and more
You might want to lay off the cheese before bedtime...
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NZ squad for the Cape Town Sevens:
Scott Curry (Captain)
Tim Mikkelson
Antonio Kiri Kiri
DJ Forbes
Dylan Collier
Iopu Iopu-Aso
Rocky Khan
Sherwin Stowers
Jonathan Ruru
Isaac Te Tamaki
Sione Molia
Junior NgaluafeTravelling Reserves
Billy Ropiha
Dan HollinsheadPool matches (NZT):
Saturday 10 December
9:59pm: v ArgentinaSunday 11 December
1:20am: v Canada
5:03am: v EnglandSKY Sport Pop-Up 4 (CH058)
http://www.allblacks.com/News/30202/all-blacks-sevens-squad-for-cape-town-tournament-named
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Collier is an absolute tool. Geez, NZ was going well and leading 14-0, when he swung his arm high against the neck/head of his opponent (Hirayama, who had to go off for a concussion test, which he failed). Result: yellow card and Canada took advantage, scoring 2 tries (one converted) when they had one man more on the field.
Final score: 19-19 and with NZ still to play England, which is clearly the best team in the pool, this draw may not be enough for NZ to reach the Cup Quarters!
I also wouldn't be surprised if Collier will get a suspension because that yellow could easily have been red.
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@Stargazer I've never been able to understand Collier's selection, even odder to find out it's not because he had dodgy stuff on Titch.
Anyway, not quite spot on there with England. We rolled them well and truly. The bounce of the ball certainly wasn't going their way but there was a good focused intensity about the team which has been lacking recently. Mikkelson looks to be getting back in great form as does Curry and Forbes looked like a different man, was devastating with the ball!
We are really lacking a dominant play maker though.
Edit: think the score was 33-7.
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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.
