NZ Sevens 2025-26
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Bradley Tocker and Sam Clarke added to the squad
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/all-blacks-sevens-call-in-two-uncapped-rookies-for-injured-trio/
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Tocker was pretty good for the NZ U18 team at last year’s Global Youth Sevens. I prefer him in the sevens format, as I think it’s a better fit for some of his strengths (e.g. high ball work on restarts) and his athleticism. He’s great in the lineout as well, he can get up very quickly and effectively contest opposition throws.
That said, I don’t think he’s a like-for-like replacement with Rob Rush. Rush was really good at the breakdown in Dubai and I think that’s an area where Tocker still needs to improve quite a bit, especially in terms of the aggression and accuracy of his cleans. He also doesn't really play with the kind of abrasiveness that I associate with Rush. To my eyes, he's something in-between a forward and a back (which is also why I prefer him in sevens rather than the 15 man game).
I do think Tocker could be a handy option, especially from the bench. And it's good to see some new faces in the sevens squad, they really needed to freshen up.
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Tocker played 7 for Varsity in the Waikato club competition but has been used more at 6 for Taranaki U19s. As @Mauss says, very good in the lineout. It will be interesting to see how he and Clarke go.
There are still some key players to return amongst the injured list.
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@Mauss said in NZ Sevens 2025-26:
Tocker was pretty good for the NZ U18 team at last year’s Global Youth Sevens. I prefer him in the sevens format, as I think it’s a better fit for some of his strengths (e.g. high ball work on restarts) and his athleticism. He’s great in the lineout as well, he can get up very quickly and effectively contest opposition throws.
That said, I don’t think he’s a like-for-like replacement with Rob Rush. Rush was really good at the breakdown in Dubai and I think that’s an area where Tocker still needs to improve quite a bit, especially in terms of the aggression and accuracy of his cleans. He also doesn't really play with the kind of abrasiveness that I associate with Rush. To my eyes, he's something in-between a forward and a back (which is also why I prefer him in sevens rather than the 15 man game).
I do think Tocker could be a handy option, especially from the bench. And it's good to see some new faces in the sevens squad, they really needed to freshen up.
High ball work you say Mauss? Get him in the ABs
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@Bovidae have’nt seen any of the games from overnight but i suspected , without Rob Rush,Molia and Ware that it would be a tough as and the Blitz Boks at home are always tough
I wonder how far away Manson and Solo from returning from injury ?
Did Tocker get any game time .? -
@Steven-Harris Yes, both Tocker and Clarke got game time. Gregory too. He scored the late try against SA.
They lacked the defensive effort that was evident in Dubai. The worst game was against Fiji, which decided who progressed to the SF.
Aust finished bottom of their pool. The AB7s play them in the 5th-8th playoffs.
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Black Ferns currently being demolished by the Wobblie Ladies 26-0
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