Australia Sevens team given Olympic wake-up call
Australia’s men’s side have failed to register a win over their Olympics counterparts New Zealand and Fiji at the Oceania Sevens tournament but insist there were lessons to be learned.
Australia started strong in their final hit-out against New Zealand, but endured an ill-disciplined slide late in the game to allow the Kiwis to run away with victory 17-5 in Townsville on Sunday.
Their last scheduled game of the three-day tournament against an Oceania selection was called off to prevent the risk of injuries just weeks out from the Olympics
Australia coach Tim Walsh said despite the results there was plenty gained for the event.
“You’re never losing, you’re learning,” he told AAP.
“From a selection point of view, game time against some great teams, we didn’t get the win(s), we came close and we’ll save it for the Olympics.”
Walsh said the tournament had helped in addressing some issues for his team and finalising selections.
Discipline will be a particular focus in the men’s medal aspirations next month, with sin bins shifting momentum in their weekend fixtures.
Walsh now has the week ahead to finalise his 12-man team for Tokyo, to be announced on July 2.
“We’re just about there but we’ve got a pretty heavy (injury) toll at the moment,” he said.
“We’ve played a lot of footy over the weekend, so we have to be pretty strategic in how we keep an eye on the bigger picture being Tokyo.”
The task facing the Australian women’s team in defending the inaugural Olympic title won in 2016 was highlighted when they lost to New Zealand by 34-5 then 26-5 in their rematch.
Michaela Blyde and Portia Woodman starred for the Black Ferns as the Aussies failed to contain the physicality and cohesiveness of their opposition.
The Australians also suffered an upset defeat to Fiji on Saturday and will need to focus on their defensive woes ahead of Tokyo next month.
Head coach John Manenti said the results may not show it, but he saw positives with the squad’s improvement.
“I thought we stepped up across the park with our whole performance,” he said.
“We worked really hard and made them work hard for their tries…we asked a few questions to them and probably should have asked a couple more.
“But ultimately, I thought we were much better tonight than we have been against New Zealand for a little while.”
Fiji remained undefeated through the tournament to take out the men’s competition, while New Zealand’s Black Ferns won all of their matches on their way to the Oceania Sevens title.
Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments