2016-2017 World Sevens Series

[Stargazer]

This selection seems to confirm my suspicion that Kaka may no longer be available for 7s (unless he's injured). There was some talk a while back that he was considering a return to XVs, although he has been playing several sevens tournaments in Asia the last few months. It will be interesting to see whether he's going to play club rugby to work his way back into the Magpies squad, or whether he'll re-appear in the sevens squad for Wellington and Sydney.

Apart from Kaka, also missing are Joe Webber (who has re-signed with the sevens squad), Teddy Stanaway, Lewis Ormond, and Regan Ware ....

I had hoped for a few more new names and not so many Olympic rejects, but awesome to see Ruru in the squad, who had a really good Mitre 10 Cup season with Otago.

[Bones]

@Stargazer Any juice on Ruru? What position?

Noted absence of Dickson, is he injured?

[Bones]

Gee Kaka is quite a loss too, especially with Ware not in the squad.

[Stargazer]

@Bones said in 2016-2017 World Sevens Series:

@Stargazer Any juice on Ruru? What position?

Noted absence of Dickson, is he injured?

Ruru plays halfback in XVs. I wonder whether he's replacing Kaka, but unsure. I can't remember what position he played for the Hawke's Bay team that won the Central Region Qualifier last year.

You're right, Dickson not in the squad either. No idea whether he's injured, but I guess he must be as he's also one of the players who has re-signed.

[Bovidae]

Waaka was a forgotten man this year. He'll assume the role as playmaker and goalkicker.

[Stargazer]

The first Black Ferns Sevens squad for the 2016-17 season has also been named (Dubai Sevens, 1-2 December 2016):

Ruby Tui
Shakira Baker
Jordon Webber
Niall Williams
Sarah Goss (captain)
Michaela Blyde
Tyla Nathan-Wong
Kelly Brazier
Tenika Willison* (Waikato)
Katarina Whata-Simpkins
Portia Woodman
Rebekah Cordero-Tufuga*

Travelling reserves are:
Jess Drummond* ( Ta$man)
Danielle Paenga*
*new cap

Several players were unavailable to play in the opening tournament: Kayla McAlister, Gayle Broughton, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Shiray Tane, Stacey Waaka, Terina Te Tamaki, Lesley Ketu and (retired) Huriana Manuel, Carla Hohepa and Honey Hireme.

https://www.allblacks.com/News/30149/four-new-players-in-black-ferns-sevens-for-dubai

[Stargazer]

The Women's Dubai Sevens starts today.
Draw day 1 in NZ time:

Thursday 1 December:
10:06pm: Black Ferns 7s v Ireland

Friday 2 December:
1.02am: Black Ferns 7s v Fiji
3.37am: Black Ferns 7s v France

Those fuckwits from Sky are again not broadcasting most women's games. Only the finals on day 2 are televised.
So if you want to watch these games, you can only watch them on the World Rugby website/YouTube channel. Because the livestream will be geo-blocked, you will need a geo-unblocker or change VPN to a country that is not on the list on this webpage: http://www.worldrugby.org/sevens-series/where-can-i-watch (for example, India, Ireland, Romania and most other Eastern European countries).

I'll add the link to the livestream when it's available.

Apparently, also radio commentary will be available on World Rugby Radio online here

[Stargazer]

The livestream is here: http://www.worldrugby.org/sevens-series/stage/1719/match/24080. I'm having huge trouble with my geo-unblocker so haven't seen much of the first half.

Halftime: Black Ferns Sevens 17 - 0 Ireland Sevens

[Stargazer]

Full time: Black Ferns Sevens 27 - 5 Ireland
NZ tries: Michaela Blyde 2, Rebekah Cordero-Tufuga, Shakira Baker, Sarah Goss; 1 conversion Tyla Nathan-Wong

The stream kept on buffering, so I've not been able to watch the game, but glad to read online that the NZ women started the tournament and new season well.

[booboo]

@Stargazer said in 2016-2017 World Sevens Series:

Full time: Black Ferns Sevens 27 - 5 Ireland
NZ tries: Michaela Blyde 2, Rebekah Cordero-Tufuga, Shakira Baker, Sarah Goss; 1 conversion Tyla Nathan-Wong

The stream kept on buffering, so I've not been able to watch the game, but glad to read online that the NZ women started the tournament and new season well.

Ha! Take that for Chicago Ireland!

[Stargazer]

@booboo LOL, and that for the second time in five days! The Black Ferns (XVs) smashed Ireland last Sunday, too (38-8).

[Stargazer]

For the livestream, this is probably the best link: http://www.worldrugby.org/sevens-series/stage/1719/match#blog

[Stargazer]

2nd game: Black Ferns 7s 19 - 10 Fiji (HT: 19-0)

NZ tries: Ruby Tui 2x, Kat Whata-Simpkins; 2 conversions Tyla Nathan-Wong

NZ is almost certain of a spot in the Cup Quarter Finals.

[Stargazer]

http://twitter.com/BlackFerns/status/804384886417223682

The Cup QF v South Africa tonight starts at 6.00pm NZT.

[Stargazer]

And this is not so good:

Niall Williams and Shakira Baker are definitely out of the quarter-final against South Africa with respective head and knee knocks while Tenika Willison is also in doubt with a head knock.

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/black-ferns-sevens-dominant-opening-day-marred-injury-concerns

[Stargazer]

The Black Ferns Sevens are through to the Semi-Final after beating South Africa 39-0.

The Semi-Final is at 10.28 pm against Russia.

The day 2 games are broadcasted on Sky Sport 2 (ch 52).

[Stargazer]

The All Blacks Sevens will play their pool matches today:

Friday 2 December:
8:36pm v Russia

Saturday 3 December:
12:20am v Samoa
5:37am v England

The pool matches are broadcasted on Sky Sport 2 (ch 52).

[Stargazer]

Full time: AB Sevens 26 - 5 Russia (HT: 26-0)

NZ tries: Sione Molia 2x, Sherwin Stowers, DJ Forbes, ; conversions Rocky Khan 2x, Beaudein Waaka 1

Waaka came off injured early in the game but it didn't look very serious.

Edit: DJ Forbes's try was his 138th for the All Blacks Sevens and this is his 80th tournament (a record)!

[Crash]

Am pleased Ruru made it to the squad. New talent on board good to see.
Why no Kaka though? Injured? Time out? Had hoped Karl Lowe's bro would make it in either 7's or 15's

[Stargazer]

@Crash said in 2016-2017 World Sevens Series:

Am pleased Ruru made it to the squad. New talent on board good to see.
Why no Kaka though? Injured? Time out? Had hoped Karl Lowe's bro would make it in either 7's or 15's

Kaka is playing XVs in Japan at the moment for the Hino Red Dolphins in the 2nd tier of the Japanese competition (Regional League, Top East division). That club is trying hard to make the Top League for the first time this season.

I have no idea what his plans are after that, but if he aims at getting back into XVs, I hope he'll get a shot at the Magpies again in 2017. He's a great fullback who can also play wing, and would be a good replacement forTongia (assuming Tongia won't return after his short-term stint in France).

I'm surprised as you are that Jonah Lowe didn't get a SR contract, but he's training with the Canes during preseason now, so hopefully that will result in some opportunities. That's also the reason why he isn't playing 7s.