2018-2019 World Sevens Series
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I haven't seen updated squad lists, but the women's tournament of the Sydney Sevens begins today. Might help me stay awake while fighting my jetlag.
Black Ferns 7s - pool games
Friday, 1 Feb
3.06pm: v PNG
5.50pm: v France
8.34pm: v EnglandLIVE on Sky Sport Pop-up 1 (channel 55)
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Second win for the BF7s against France: 31 - 7
The French looked strong in the first half, their defence was spot on, but then one of their players slapped the ball forward and was sent to the bin. The Ferns benefited from the one-player-more play and scored two tries. In the second half, the French made a lot of errors and couldn't score when Niall Williams was sent to the bin for a high tackle. The Black Ferns are very, very good in ball retention. It's amazing how they can starve the opposition of the ball. The passing is still a work-on for some players, but all seem to be very good in catching the ball, even from the bad passes, so no harm done. One more pool game to go.
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https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=1220015
All Blacks Sevens Team for Sydney 1. Scott Gregory 2. Tim Mikkelson (c) 3. Tone Ng Shiu 4. Joe Ravouvou 5. Amanaki Nicole 6. Vilimoni Koroi 7. Sam Dickson 8. Andrew Knewstubb 9. Regan Ware 10. Kurt Baker 11. Jona Nareki 12. Sione Molia (c) *Trael Joass is the travelling reserve Black Ferns Sevens Team for Sydney 1. Ruby Tui 2. Shakira Baker 3. Stacey Waaka 4. Niall Williams 5. Sarah Hirini (nee Goss) – captain 6. Michaela Blyde 7. Tyla Nathan-Wong 8. Kat Whata-Simpkins 9. Gayle Broughton 10. Theresa Fitzpatrick 11. Terina Te Tamaki 12. Alena Saili *Rhiarna Ferris is the travelling reserve -
So AB7s without Scott Curry (ankle) and Dylan Collier (hamstring), who have been replaced in the playing squad by Scott Gregory and Amanaki Nicole (Trael Joass coming in as travelling reserve instead of Gregory).
If I'm correct, we'll meet Fiji in the semis if NZ, Fiji, USA and South Africa all top their pools after day 1 and win their Cup QFs.
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Full time: 29 - 0 to the Black Ferns 7s.
Great game to watch. England's defence was good, but the Ferns were so patient and just didn't allow the English girls to get into the game. Good show of strength from players like Waaka, Baker and Fitzpatrick today, and - of course - top speed from Blyde. She's a machine! Great stepping from Broughton & Nathan-Wong would do well for the Football Ferns, too.
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Gotta love a Fijian offload -
