The fourth round of the HSBC Women’s Sevens Series, the Langford Sevens will played on this weekend, the 16-17th of April in Langford, British Columbia, Canada. The Aussie Pearls have won the last three rounds and will try to make it four-in-a-row with a group of ‘youngsters’ who coach Tim Walsh has brought in to cover for injuries and rested players.
That team have been at the top of results, but all 12 teams will be looking to back-up from last week’s Atlanta Sevens. From New Zealand to France, Ireland to Spain, they all have goals to achieve in this series before minds look towards August and the ‘golden objective’ of Rio 2016.
Langford Sevens: The LOWDOWN
Pool A (Australia, Russia, France, Brazil)
The Aussies will be led again by Shannon Parry and have handed 17 year old Demi Hayes her debut together, beside 18 year old Shenae Ciesioka and 21 year old Georgina Friedricks. This team is full of up and coming players, a very bold move too by coach Tim Walsh, to bring them in but he can do that with the sevens series [literally] all wrapped up.
Russia will again look to the leadership of Nadezda Kudinova to lead this ever-improving Russian side and try to win their first ever Women’s Sevens Series title at Langford. Focusing on the immediate, this team looks to build a formidable combination that will try to win that final qualifying spot to the Rio Olympics in the World Rugby repercarge in Dublin, in June.
Fanny Horta and her French blue brigade are like the Russians, they have been the ‘darlings’ of the season so far but have a little bit more thrust and hunger that might carry them through to that final they crave. Watch Majorie Mayans, a future star in the shadows of the Kiwi and Aussie players. Also, look out for Chloe Pelle and Laurelin Foucarde.
French rugby fans are asking “Can they do it this time?”
Brazil have another chance here to compete with the best, they will want a good outing here as they want to be there with the best on finals day, not languishing in consolation matches. It is a dream of the South Americans come August, to perform in their homeland, so every match comes as perfect opportunities to perfect their play against the top teams.
Pool B (NZL, USA, Fiji, Spain)
New Zealand (NZL) will try to go one up from last week [where they lost in the final] and hope to stop the Aussies from winning their fourth consecutive title this weekend. They look like the only team that can counter the strong Pearls outfit, and even with injury have defied the odds this season. Youngsters Terina Te Tamaki, Shiray Tane, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Stacey Waaka and Michaela Blyde all have a chance this week to impress.
United States (USA) had a good outing at their home tournament and will try to improve on that this weekend. They have found their rhythm too, under new coach Richie Walker, and will be hoping for more good results. They will again rely on Richelle Stephens, Megan Bonny, Alev Kelter, Bui Baravilala, Jessica Javelet and newcomers this weekend, Joanne Fa’avesi and Victoria Foyalan
Fiji will be without playmaker/rover Lavenia Tinai and fast running forward Asinate Savu this weekend, due to injury, Tinai will be out for six weeks sadly. The Fijiana side will turn to captain courageous Ana Maria Roqica to lead them through with senior players ‘Women Mountain’ Litia Naiqato, Talica Vodo and former Aussie Pearl captain Rebecca Tavo all needing to produce a high output.
They need a good finish but their battle with USA will be a game to watch. After a disappointing tournament last week, especially on finals day when they didn’t score a single point, they must bounce-back.
Spain have to dig deep to keep their World Series core status next season and they must go for maximum points this week. With plenty of experience in the team, the Spanish women will mold upcoming stars for the future with experience of woman like Berta Garcia.
Pool C (England, Canada, Ireland, Japan)
The English had an outstanding tournament in Atlanta but didn’t finish well as they would’ve liked [finishing third] but they will try to redeem that this week,. They defeated the eventual winner last week in early pool play and the Roses have what it takes to again try to ‘beat the best’ this week.
They will be led again by the inspirational captain Emily Scarratt.
The Maple Leafs Ladies of Canada will be very competitive at home; as the men were, and coach John Tait will demand a win at home. Yes, they have what it takes and will rely on their senior players to help them get there, in the likes of Megan Lukan, Jen Kish, Ghislaine Landry, Kelly Rusell, Karen Paquin, Karen Moleschi and Kayla Mack.
The Irish team led by Lucy Mulhall have found their rhythm heading to that Olympic qualifier at home in Dublin, and now coach Anthony Eddy needs consistency from them. Although new to the series, they have fared very well, like Japan. They will miss a game breaker in Sene Naopu this week but have the Flood sisters, Stacey and Kim who will be teamed with Claire Keohane and Alison Miller and newcomer Mariana Fanene.
Marie Yamaguchi will spearhead the Japanese team effort this week and have handed a Fijian in their team her debut. Mateitoga Bogidrau joins Elia Green (AUS), Bui Baravilala (USA) and Rebecca Tavo (AUS) as players of Fijian-origin to appear for another country. This group did well in Atlanta and will be looking to build on that potential, hopefully taking a big scalp this weekend.
Another exciting tournament awaits us. Will it be the Aussie Pearls or might the Kiwi Sisters deny them a fourth tournament win? Or maybe an English invasion in Canada? All that will be seen over the next two days in the Westhills Stadium, at the Langford Sevens.
Follow the Day One and Day Two action at the Westhills Stadium with all the Lowdown from Last Word On Sports, for the Langford Sevens 2016.
“Main photo credit”
