A horror run of injuries has ravaged the hopes of the All Black Sevens team mounting a formidable attempt at revenge over past results. The Men’s side finished fourth in the opening World Sevens Series in Dubai, four places lower than Sir Gordon Tietjens side had planned on.
The women’s side faired better, in terms of injuries as they went on to successfully claim the Plate final victory, missing out on the Cup final qualifying stages as Australia repaid the New Zealander’s for the Rugby World Cup (yes, that might be a far-fetched analogy) In winning, the women ended the weekend in fifth position overall–one place lower than their male counterparts and again, far lower than expectations of the reigning Champions.
45 matches in total, this Dubai 7’s was a huge tournament played over three days, not counting the Invitational matches played that included Men’s and Women’s sides who are in competition between the ‘next tier’ of nations (positions 16th or lower) The weekend is building a great following in Asia and Europe to make the 2015/2016 season one of the biggest ever.
Unfortunately for Kiwi hopes, a string of injuries depreciated the later stages for Gordon Tietjens squad of 12 players. Firstly, and most devastating was a shoulder injury to captain Scott Curry. He was removed from Day Two play and DJ Forbes re-assumed that role until he also had injury concerns while competing in the third place match. Not only those men, but also Sherwin Stowers broke an arm, Joe Webber and new boy Augustine Pulu each left the field in the last match with injury. Others are carrying injuries that will be a huge concern for the camp.
Such a high attrition rate is unprecedented in modern times, with just a single substitute available before the match against the United States. In losing that game, it was in fact their second loss to the Eagles side–that nations first ever wins against the All Blacks Sevens. News travelled by social media, and many agencies mistakenly reported that the rugby team had beaten the All Blacks [the name association has benefits, but in that case it caused some confusion in the media] but full credit to the Mike Friday coached American team.
With Fiji taking the Men’s final in a thrilling game against a strong England side, the Australian women battled hard to see off the vastly improved Russian team in the other final. The Russians, who halted the Kiwis in early pool play, also beat the Spanish, English and the Brazilian teams in a tournament to remember for the developing European superpower.
The Russian victory over the Sevensisters of New Zealand (NZ) dealt their campaign a massive blow, placing them on course to meet the top placed Aussie Pearls. Just the two losses over their tournament, but in a knockout competition it only takes a poor performance to end up in the second-tier Plate stages; which is no disrespect to that award.
Sarah Goss led her team to victory against Canada who many had thought would join the Kiwis in the top echelon of sides. The Maple Leafs will too feel unhappy with their finish, and handing Fijiana ladies an early advantage.
Of value, and something that coach Sean Horan can take from the event, is the new blood integrated into his and into the men’s team. Niall Williams was the most obvious female debutant, but this young side has a strong foundation in Goss, Kelly Brazier, Tyler Nathan-Chong, Gail Broughton and the player of 2015, Portia Woodman. Reaching 100 tries, that player will be the benchmark for most nations to equal, but the equity is now more obvious after this tournaments placing [5th]
The media coverage was widely distributed to a waiting global audience, grown in part by the excitement of the Sevens game but as much in the ‘pot of Gold’ awaiting sides who turned up this weekend. Those who have qualified for the Olympic Games in Brazil already will have tried hard not to focus on that date, as the long term aim was replaced by the dream of making the final eight in Dubai.
Beside the harsh realities face both NZ sides–it is only Round One. They still have time on their side and each is well managed and has a successful history that will help them prepare for their next round of matches. The Men travel to Capetown for Round Two, while the women take time to build up a base of confidence when they travel to Sao Paulo in the New Year [February]
That long wait between games may have players thinking a little further down the track to Brazil in August. Head Coach Horan will empower his squad to work hard, to use local tournaments and any invitational weekends to hone their ‘match day’ awareness. The game is fast today, the players must think fast and sides like Russia will be ready and waiting again for them come February.
The women have ample time, while the men will need to call in replacements quickly. With as many as five core players unable to run out in the Capetown 7’s, Tietjens has no option but to bring in outside players. The rush to have them in place is as much out of neccessity but fortunately, NZ fans know that men like Antonio Kirikiri, Beaudein Waka and Ambrose Curtis will have been assimilated into the group already, so maybe only two outside players will need to be called on.
Sadly for world rugby fans, Sonny Bill Williams, Ardie Savea and Liam Messam are not yet at that level yet, so won’t be named. The Rugby World Cup winner SBW was in attendance for media purposes and to ‘be with the squad’. He must have wanted to throw on a different black jersey in the desperate fight in that tough third placed play-off match but he will need to cool his heels for games later in the season.
For fans, this is just the beginning of a full-on season. It is just as important to perform in the HSBC World Sevens Rugby Series early, to establish a points base and be there in contention for the title when rounds like Singapore, Paris and finally London roll around. That is where this season will be won.
Similar to last year, this NZ side need to build a consistent platform and with a horror run of injuries taking away players like Curry and Stowers, they will need to focus on next week rather than August 2016, and place their ‘Road to Rio’ in the back of their mind.
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Follow all the news and results of the HSBC World Sevens Rugby Series here on Last Word On Sport with Scott Hornell, Kyle Willoughby and Jovilisi Waqa
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