2017-18 World Sevens Series
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@stargazer I dont think it would have harmed anyones AB career, but I think guys like Ben SMith and BB who chose not to be part of the extended 7s build up it, particularly BB, it would have affected them right then for that period Would the canes have won the Super title without BB & Ardie? BB would not have overtaken Cruden when he did, Ben SMith didnt want to go away from the HIghlanders for as long as Titch wanted him, expect a few other slightly less high profile players probably felt the same...what should NZR have done, forced them to go to Rio? 
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The blueprint was Wellington and Sydney when the Ioane bros, SBW and Savea were available. Sure, the win in Sydney was fortuitous but we had the x-factor players to win those games. I'm sure Titch hoped to replicate that in Rio but it didn't happen for one reason or another. Rieko didn't fire a shot in Rio, SBW was injured, etc. 
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The 2017-2018 World Sevens Series starts next week in Dubai. The women's tournament runs from Thu 30 November to Sat 2 Dec, and the men's tournament starts and finishes a day later. The travelling squad for both teams has been named: All Blacks 7s 
 Dylan Collier - Waikato
 Scott Curry - Bay of Plenty
 Sam Dickson - Canterbury
 Tim Mikkelson - Waikato
 Tone Ng Shiu - Ta$man
 Teddy Stanaway - Bay of Plenty
 Kurt Baker - Manawatu
 Andrew Knewstubb - Ta$man
 Vilimoni Koroi - Otago
 Sione Molia – Counties Manukau
 Joe Ravouvou - Auckland
 Issac Te Tamaki - Waikato
 Regan Ware – Bay of Plenty
 Joe Webber - Bay of PlentyCoach Clark Laidlaw has today announced Scott Curry and Tim Mikkelson will co-captain the team for the busy 2017/2018 season that includes the Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens. “It would be tough to captain on your own over such a long season as it’s impossible for a player to play every minute of every match in a sevens season so we feel doubling up helps our group.Laidlaw has selected 14 players to travel, all with previous Sevens World Series experience. “We wanted to pick as many players that have been with us throughout the pre-season as possible. They have the best understanding of what we are trying to do and deserve this first opportunity. “What is exciting is knowing that the six or so players staying behind, will be working hard to get up to speed and that will make it tough to pick squads for the tournaments ahead.”www.allblacks.com/News/31801/all-blacks-sevens-team-named-for-world-series-opener . Black Ferns 7s 
 Alena Saili
 Gayle Broughton
 Katarina Whata-Simpkins
 Kayla McAlister
 Kelly Brazier
 Michaela Blyde
 Niall Williams
 Portia Woodman
 Ruby Tui
 Sarah Goss
 Stacey Waaka
 Tenika Willison
 Theresa Fitzpatrick
 Tyla Nathan-WongReturning to the squad are Kayla McAlister, back after maternity leave, and Kelly Brazier, returning from injury.The squad is already in Dubai since last weekend. www.allblacks.com/News/31781/black-ferns-sevens-squad-to-travel-to-dubai 
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Be interesting to see what effect the new coach has had with a pre-season under the belt. 
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Black Ferns 7s team for the Dubai Sevens: 1 Ruby Tui 
 2 Alena Saili
 3 Stacey Waaka
 4 Niall Williams
 5 Sarah Goss (captain)
 6 Michaela Blyde
 7 Tyla Nathan-Wong
 8 Gayle Broughton
 9 Kat Whata-Simpkins
 10 Theresa Fitzpatrick
 11 Portia Woodman
 12 Kayla McAlisterSo from the travelling squad, Kelly Brazier and Tenika Willison have missed out. Pool games (in NZT) 
 Thu, 30 Nov:
 10.50pm: v South AfricaFri, 1 Dec: 
 1.46am: v France
 4.43am: v USALIVE on Sky Sport Pop-Up (Ch 56? aka Sky Sport 6) from 1.30am. 
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@stargazer said in 2017-18 World Sevens Series: @crucial In the women's game, Russia is quite good. Surprised they beat England though. Any more interesting games? Sky isn't broadcasting until 1.30am NZT. Any chance you can give us updates of the Black Ferns game in 20 minutes? Sure. I can get the feed on the WR site. France leading USA 12-7 on the last play of the first half 





