2016-2017 World Sevens Series

[Bones]

Dickson must be gutted Collier isn't playing. Just had 2 more major fuck ups to give SA another try.

[Stargazer]

I really hope that Laidlaw can improve this team. The way they play, and selection of players.

[Bones]

Oh for fucks sake. Amateur hour.

[Stargazer]

@Bones This clearly showed we need faster players.

[Stargazer]

I wonder when Sevu Reece will become eligible. Also astonishing that so few other players from Waikato are in the team. They only lost the National Final this year, but won everything else.

[Bones]

@Stargazer not so sure pace was an issue eh. Just poor decision making, especially in close quarters and very passive defence. You can't let the SA hotsteppers have 10-20m to bamboozle you into going the wrong way, especially when the pitch has shown footing issues all weekend.

[ACT Crusader]

Some very poor option taking and decision making from the AB7s.

Scots look well drilled with a good mix of pace and physically. The Saffas are a tough side.

[Stargazer]

@Bones I think it's both, but I think we should not forget that a lot of new and young players have been added to the team this year, who are still learning. So decision making of those newbies can improve under the guidance of a good coach. I'm inclined to be a bit more patient about that, but a player's speed won't change that much.

No excuses for the older/more experienced players though.

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer said in 2016-2017 World Sevens Series:

I wonder when Sevu Reece will become eligible.

Next year.

Also astonishing that so few other players from Waikato are in the team. They only lost the National Final this year, but won everything else.

And Mikkelson didn't even play for Waikato at the nationals. There was an ex-AB winger who played very well in all the sevens tournaments for Waikato and would add some much-needed pace and experience.

[Stargazer]

http://twitter.com/WorldRugby7s/status/864842974768672768

[Stargazer]

This weekend is the last leg of the 2016-2017 World Sevens Series for the men, the London Sevens.

All Black Sevens team (* denotes new cap):

DJ Forbes (C) - Counties Manukau
Sam Dickson - Canterbury
Fa’asiu Fuatai - Otago
Jesse Houston* - Canterbury
Trael Joass - Ta$man
Andrew Knewstubb - Ta$man
Tim Mikkelson - Waikato
Tone Ng Shiu - Ta$man
Tamati Samuels* - Hawke’s Bay
Sherwin Stowers - Counties Manukau
Regan Ware - Bay of Plenty
Joe Webber - Bay of Plenty

Thirteenth player
Lewis Ormond - Taranaki

Unavailable due to injury (in addition to those players who were already injured before Paris):
Rocky Khan (calf Injury), Sione Molia (shoulder injury), Jamie Booth (quad injury)

Pool games:
Saturday, 20 May:
8:52pm: v Japan
11:58pm: v Canada

Sunday, 21 May:
3:04am: v Fiji

Watch it LIVE at SKY Sport 6/Sky Sport Pop-up 2 (Channel 56)

http://www.allblacks.com/News/30804/new-faces-in-all-blacks-sevens-team-for-london

[Stargazer]

This looks like a training run for the AB7s. It's clear to see why Japan will probably drop out of the core nations.

[Stargazer]

First game in the bag. NZ beat Japan 33 to 7.
Good first game for newbie Houston, who scored two tries. His second try followed a good break and kick from the other newbie Samuels.

[Stargazer]

Great start of the second game with a great try from Sam Dickson!

[Stargazer]

Stowers still got those wheels! Another try.

[Stargazer]

Well that went wrong quickly! 14 all at half time.

[Bones]

@Stargazer Fuatai is having an absolute shitter. And again our passive defence is terrible, too much pondering in the inside channels.

[Higgins]

NZ 19 - 14 Canada - Phew! A last gasp tackle saving an almost certain Canada try.

[KiwiMurph]

Webber saves NZ blushes. Wonder match winning cover tackle.

[Stargazer]

Pfew, that was close. At least we're in the Cup QF.
Canada beat Fiji earlier, so NZ is the only team in the pool with 2 wins at the moment.