2018-2019 World Sevens Series

[Stargazer]

All Blacks 7s team for the Vancouver Sevens

1 Trael Joass
2 Tim Mikkelson (c)
3 Tone Ng Shiu
4 Joe Ravouvou
5 Scott Gregory
6 Vilimoni Koroi
7 Sam Dickson
8 Andrew Knewstubb
9 Regan Ware
10 Ngarohi McGarvey-Black
11 Jona Nareki
12 Sione Molia (c)

*Te Puoho Stephens is the travelling reserve.

Andrew Knewstubb and Ngarohi McGarvey-Black have joined the team in Vancouver and replace the injured Akuila Rokolisoa and Kurt Baker who have returned home. 

Knewstubb has impressed this season to date and before missing the Las Vegas tournament last weekend, was the Series leading points scorer. McGarvey-Black comes into the team after last playing in Cape Town in December. 

All Blacks Sevens Coach Clark Laidlaw said the quick turnaround made it an easy decision to bring in fresh legs. 

“We expect Andrew and Ngarohi to come in and add a lot. Andrew is having a break-through season and playing bloody well, Ngarohi debuted this time last year in Las Vegas, the indoor stadium here in Vancouver is a fast track and that suits his game.” 

.
Pool games
Sunday, 10 March
7.14am: v France
10.43am: v Spain
2.15pm: v Australia

Live on Sky Sport Pop-up 2 (channel 56)

http://www.allblacks.com/News/33808/all-blacks-sevens-team-named-for-vancouver

[Machpants]

They've gotta learn how to beat the USA, it's up to NZ to nip another US Olympic gold in the bud!

[Bones]

@Machpants said in 2018-2019 World Sevens Series:

They've gotta learn how to beat the USA, it's up to NZ to nip another US Olympic gold in the bud!

They beat them twice in Dubai and also in Sydney. So I think they've already learned how to. Think the honours are pretty even so far.

[Stargazer]

Haven't seen the game, but the AB7s smashed France 45 - 7.

Tries: Molia, Koroi, Ravouvou, Mikkelson, Dickson, Knewstubb, Ng Shiu
Conversions: Koroi (4), Knewstubb

[Higgins]

I see Australia found France to be a bit more challenging than the NZ 7s team did. So much so that that they lost 21 - 17.

[Stargazer]

It's crazy how now even an accidental knock-on is penalised with a yellow. Nothing deliberate in Dickson's knock on.

[Machpants]

@Higgins said in 2018-2019 World Sevens Series:

I see Australia found France to be a bit more challenging than the NZ 7s team did. So much so that that they lost 21 - 17.

We're losing to Spain

[Stargazer]

That was not a bloody knock on. Stupid ref.

[Stargazer]

Now penalised for dominating the scrum.

[Stargazer]

Yesss, try Dickson.

[Machpants]

Phew, what a pile of shite, team and ref

[Machpants]

@Machpants said in 2018-2019 World Sevens Series:

Phew, what a pile of shite, team and ref

Spoke too soon, shite is correct tho

[Stargazer]

And now Spain score a very good try. Mikkelson not as quick as he used to be?

[KiwiMurph]

If we needed evidence that Timmy is past it - there we go.

[Stargazer]

FT: NZ 24 - 26 Spain

Too many missed tackles, shit officiating. Not sure whether Spain deserved the win, because several of their tries came after bad decisions from the ref. However, a well-playing AB7s team would have won anyway.

Spain is one of the strongest of the upcoming nations; good for the game to have a new country joining the top and giving strong competition to the usual favourites.

[Higgins]

Probably on a two year contract so not much that can be done about it really other than continuing to pay his salary but pick another player from the fifteen or so contracted players that are not injured.

[Stargazer]

Standings after two games. NZ needs a hell of a game against the Aussies to reach the Cup QF.

[Stargazer]

Results from our pool:

Aus 17 - 14 Spain
NZ 45 - 7 France
Aus 17 - 21 France
NZ 24 - 26 Spain

[KiwiMurph]

@Stargazer don't they just need to win? They have the best points difference by far.

[Machpants]

@KiwiMurph yep just win, unless Spain or France win with a bonus point....