Over the last two days, the majority of the leading New Zealand (NZ) Rugby Sevens teams have challenged each other in Rotorua at the annual National Championship. Amid this top class competition, Counties-Manukau and Manawatu have prevailed over all the rest, to triumph at the NZ National Sevens tournament.
What looked to be a predictable Day One, saw plenty of upsets to open Day Two that saw Auckland; in both Women’s and Men’s formats, given surprise defeats that allowed other teams promotion to Cup semi finals and ultimately, two sensational final matches with skills that enthralled the crowd.
In the Women’s draw, the day began with Manawatu showing terrific spirit to remove the fancied Waikato side from cup contention. This reporter had envied Waikato’s home field advantage but that all amounted to nil when they lost 17-12. It gave hope to others, and progressively more surprises over the day detailed how team ‘morale and motivation’ play such a important part in every knockout competition.
That said, the Waikato men soon too fell to a brilliant North Harbour team that took their opportunities and demonstrated maybe the “pass of the tournament” as commentator Scotty Stevenson called it. Having lost 26-19, both Waikato teams were taught some harsh lessons in 2016 and it reminds teams to not count their chickens.
That left Wellington and Counties-Manukau as the powerhouse teams in the men’s division, while the Manawatu women were performing admirably to reach the last four yet again. Canterbury would need to face down the Wellington Pride women to hold high South Island rugby honour. No reflection on the game there but more on the less frequent matches Southern teams play, and the form of the highly competitive North Island sides.
MEN’S SEMI FINAL RESULTS: Wellington 14 North Harbour 28 | Counties-Manukau 31 Bay of Plenty 10
The premier sides were each favoured, but since the upsets began, fans had to be nervous. Possibly, it transferred onto the field as the men’s reigning champs were soon put in their place by a quietly-achieving Harbour team coached well by Geoff Alley to peak at the right time. Out to a 14-0 lead, a stunned Lions team seemed off the boil. Handing your opposition a start is never good, and while Jordan Simpson-Heftt crossed, that was equalled by promising Whiria Meltzer (a real prospect for future representation)
Wellington pegged back a second try, but in being ‘owned’ by North Harbour 28-14, the it would have soured
WOMEN’S SEMI FINAL RESULTS: Counties-Manukau 0 Manawatu 24 | Canterbury 7 Wellington 33
In a bruising encounter, the reigning champions cemented a spot in the final, as Manawatu flattened any hopes the Counties-Manakau women had of holding their heads high. Michaela Blyde scored twice in an overwhelming display, winning comfortably 24-0 and take their form into the Cup final.
Player of the match Kat Whata-Simpkin was superb in her sides semifinal, as the capital Pride girls were too strong for Canterbury. The ability to hold possession paid off, and the confidence gained saw them proceed to another final. Canterbury can be proud to reach this stage, and ultimately they went on to the Women’s Plate final.
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MEN’S SHIELD FINAL – Wanganui 14 South Canterbury 12
MEN’S BOWL FINAL – Hawkes Bay 10 Northland 17
WOMEN’S BOWL FINAL – Tasman 12 Wairarapa Bush 10
MEN’S PLATE FINAL – Auckland 17 Manawatu 14
WOMEN’S PLATE FINAL – Waikato 19 Auckland 14
With the minor places known, attention turned to the four remaining sides who would play for provincial pride.
MEN’S 2016 FINAL – North Harbour 14 Counties-Manukau 54
The tremendous run of North Harbour was admirable. They had performed incredibly well, in passing Wanganui, Mid Canterbury on the first day and then a massive triumph over 2015 champs Waikato. That feat gave players a huge boost and they began with plenty of energy.
The more inventive Counties team put two tries on the board to leap out to a 0-14 lead and Harbour really needed to stem the tide. Fortunately for them, the new Sevens wizard Whiria Meltzer responded to give his side some forward momentum that was soon supported by a second try that tied the scores. It looked good for the Northern Suburbs until their South Auckland neighbours ended the first half with a converted try: 14-21
I was enjoying the action, as much as the crowd on hand and soon into the second half we saw Augustine Pulu show his class to put his men up 14-28, and it was a real kick to the pants for a younf Harbour side who could have become disorganized and with that opening, a queue of tries resulted. Tavite Gadeisuva got a quickfire double and it soon extended over 40 points (as the All Blacks often do) running up a score that doesn’t reflect the superb efforts from North Harbour.
By the time the whistle was blown, it was 14-54 and the Counties-Manukau Steelers held a National title for the first time in 21 years. With superstar support from Sonny Bill Williams to help award the title, the title may just stay within the Steelers/Chiefs region for sometime. And for Pulu, a prospective NZ7’s member, he was named the ‘Player of the Tournament’.
WOMEN’S 2016 FINAL – Wellington 12 Manawatu 26
Each side had earned their place, in defeating the likes of Auckland (Wellington) and Waikato (who Manawatu had beaten) Those results had highlighted the speed that these Women play at, and the attractive style of Rugby fans enjoyed. The energy was evident from the first of the ten minute halves.
Manawatu scored first, a well worked move but the Pride returned the favour and this tit-for-tat scoring sequence continued in the first half. 12-14, the match could have gone either way. When Crystal Mayes crossed beneath the posts for the Turbos, it would take all of Wellingtons efforts to come back. They tried, but lost possession was punished, and with time drifting away it became too difficult when Kristina Sue dotted down to re-install Manawatu as Champions for the third time in four years.
As consolation, Wellington Captain Kat Whata-Simpkins was awarded the women’s ‘Player of the Tournament’ award.
NOTE: Image courtesy of Bayleys National 7’s facebook page.
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With over 500 players, coaches and officials descending on Rotorua this weekend, it must be said that there is still a school of thought that since it moved from Queenstown, attendance has stalled. That being true, NZ Rugby administrators will decide on the future hosting rights, but that takes nothing away from the on-field action.
Politics aside, it is now as enjoyable as it has ever been, and with the ACC (Accident Corporation) tent having Sonny Bill as a guest, signing autographs and promoting RugbySmart values [exercise, good hydration and concussion awareness] the message to fans and attending sportspeople was to ‘take care of yourselves on and off the field’.
A good message to spread throughout the game of Rugby anywhere, in fifteen a side or in the Sevens game.
