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Black Ferns and All Blacks Sevens into semi-finals in Toulouse

By Ben Smith
Players of New Zealand perform a haka after the final game of the World Rugby Seven Series 2023 BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on March 5, 2023. (Photo by Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The Black Ferns and All Blacks Sevens have qualified for the semi-finals of the World Sevens Series in Toulouse.

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After day one victories over USA and Poland which secured the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series title for 2023, the Black Ferns Sevens continued their winning ways with a 28-7 win over Canada, powered by a Jorja Miller brace in their final pool game.

Risi Pouri-Lane grabbed a double against Japan in the 29-7 quarter-final win to set up a semi-final showdown with France, who earlier upset Australia and made the final four with a win over Great Britain in their quarter.

Australia were still able to top their pool despite the upset defeat and beat Ireland 17-7 in the quarter-final to set up a semi-final with the USA.

In the men’s, the All Blacks Sevens cruised to the semi-finals with a 35-0 win over Ireland to book a semi-final date with France.

New Zealand had comfortable wins over Canada 29-12 and Kenya 31-5 before a tough 14-12 win over Uruguay.

A length of the field try to Roderick Solo after a Regan Ware break gave the All Blacks a 14-5 lead with under two minutes to play.

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Argentina booked a date with Canada in the other men’s semi-final after a hard-fought 21-12 win over South Africa, while Canada overcome Australia by 12-10.

If the All Blacks Sevens are able to secure their third straight gold and fifth event overall in Toulouse they would seal the Series with one leg remaining.

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Bull Shark 37 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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