2018-2019 World Sevens Series

[Bones]

[Stargazer]

NZR's reaction to World Rugby's 2019-2023 Sevens Series announcement includes this:

Cass said NZR were talking to World Rugby and the Fiji Rugby Union about hosting the event in Fiji during the 2020-2023 cycle.

“Everyone has seen the contribution of the Fijian rugby community to the success of the tournament in Hamilton both on the field and in the stands. An option being looked at is alternating the tournament between Hamilton and Fiji and early negotiations are promising.”

Fiji Rugby Union Chief Executive John O’Connor said it was an exciting time for Fiji’s rugby community.

“We are grateful to NZR for offering to alternate the hosting of the HSBC New Zealand Sevens with Fiji and we're confident of delivering an amazing experience for everyone involved.

“Fijian fans would undoubtedly turn out in their thousands to support the tournament and we believe large volumes of overseas rugby fans would come along to experience Fiji’s hospitality and passion for Sevens rugby.”

http://www.allblacks.com/News/33835/nzr-awarded-four-year-sevens-licence

[KiwiMurph]

@Stargazer

That's excellent news and seems like a win-win.

[Stargazer]

https://twitter.com/AllBlacks7s/status/1108616730023071745

.

reactive arthritis

[Stargazer]

All Blacks 7s squad for the Hong Kong Sevens (I assume this is a travelling squad, because they haven't indicated yet who is the reserve in this group, and this squad will travel to Singapore after this tournament):

Kurt Baker - Manawatu
Dylan Collier - Waikato
Scott Curry - Bay of Plenty
Sam Dickson - Canterbury
Andrew Knewstubb - Horowhenua Kapiti
Tim Mikkelson - Waikato
Sione Molia - Counties Manukau
Jona Nareki - Otago
Tone Ng Shiu - Ta$man
Joe Ravouvou - Auckland
Akuila Rokolisoa - Counties Manukau
Regan Ware - Taranaki
Joe Webber - Bay of Plenty

Webber has recovered from reactive arthritis and joins Scott Curry and Dylan Collier in the 13-man squad who are also returning from injury breaks.

Coach Clark Laidlaw said the ability to pick from an almost fully fit squad sees a strong team selected for the seventh tournament on the HSBC World Series.

“We have really tested our depth in the forward pack in recent tournaments and all the players have really stepped up. It is good to have Scott and Dylan back going into Hong Kong, their experience will be crucial in such a big event.”

The All Blacks Sevens sit second on the World Series behind the USA and know a strong result in Hong Kong will go a long way to secure an Olympic berth in 2020.

A tough pool assignment sees the All Blacks Sevens come up against Fiji, Australia and Kenya in the first two days of competition.

“It doesn’t get much harder than that. We start on Friday against Australia and that is where our focus is at the moment, we need to be ready to fire straight away.” 

Following the Hong Kong tournament the team will travel to Singapore for the Singapore Sevens the following weekend.

http://www.allblacks.com/News/33905/joe-webber-to-make-all-blacks-sevens-return-in-hong-kong

[mikey07]

Glad Joe Webber is back hopefully he still has that awesome step of his.

[Machpants]

@mikey07 on form he's awesome, so hopefully he just gets straight into it

[mikey07]

@Machpants yeah I know just hope his long injury lay-off hasn’t had any lasting effects.

[Machpants]

Sad that the Tani-badger ain't there, but he's done well for first session imo

[Bones]

@Machpants who?

[Stargazer]

@Bones Scott Gregory

[Bones]

@Stargazer cheers

[Machpants]

https://www.facebook.com/Scott-The-Tani-Badger-Gregory-300739887375330/

[Stargazer]

All Blacks 7s squad for the Hong Kong Sevens:

1. Scott Curry (c)
2. Tim Mikkelson (c)
3. Tone Ng Shiu
4. Joe Ravouvou
5. Dylan Collier
6. Jona Nareki
7. Sam Dickson
8. Andrew Knewstubb
9. Regan Ware
10. Kurt Baker
11. Joe Webber
12. Sione Molia

*Akuila Rokolisoa is the travelling reserve.

Pool games (times in NZT)
Saturday 6 April
12.15am: v Australia

Sunday 7 April
5.51pm: v Kenya
9.55pm: v Fiji

LIVE on Sky Sport Pop-up 2 (channel 56).

[Duluth]

Chabal at the Hong Kong 7s
https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/11684759/hong-kong-sevens-s233bastien-chabal-finds-his-voice

[Bones]

Nz in white as a sign of peace, love and solidarity in the face of terror.

[Stargazer]

Ravouvou! Easy peasy with speed.

[Bones]

Ravouvou the good version turns up and goes over within a minute.

[Stargazer]

Great urgency on defence by the AB7s.

[Stargazer]

Another great try. Regan Ware.