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England Sevens battered by Fiji in opening game at the Paris 7s
England Sevens have suffered a heavy loss to Fiji in their opening game of the final leg of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Paris.
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Fiji ran out 14-52 winners in all court display against the men in white.
Fiji scored tries through Josua Vakurunabili, Meli Derenalagi, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Napolioni Bolaca, Alasio Naduva and Nacuqu – all coming in the first half.
Despite tries from England Sevens veteran James Rodwell and Ben Harris, the Fijians were simply too strong, with Asaeli Tuivuaka and Apenisa Cakaubalavu both dotting down to have the final word.
The Blitzboks are defending champions in France, but with Olympic qualification achieved, some could argue that there is not much to play for them this weekend in the final of 10 tournaments on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
World Series contenders @fijirugby “taking it game by game” as they open their #paris7s campaign with a strong victory over @EnglandRugby #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/b9woRM8ebU
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) June 1, 2019
The race for the series title is hotter than ever with only two points separating Fiji (164) and USA (162) in first and second position.
Fiji overtook USA on the leader board in London last weekend where they celebrated not only the Cup final win, but qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
They were joined by USA and New Zealand who also booked their spots alongside Japan who earn automatic qualification as host nation.
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The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series serves as the principal route to Tokyo 2020 qualification, with the top four teams going through.
Series leaders Fiji have made one change to their squad for this weekend with Napolioni Bolaca coming into the side. They will be hoping that their winning momentum continues as they fight for the overall title at the Stade Jean-Bouin this weekend.
After securing the bronze medal last weekend, USA have made one change to their squad with Joe Schroeder replacing Brett Thompson.
USA captain Madison Hughes is looking to end the season on a high by building on their performance in London, commenting: “There are a few small technical areas that we need to improve upon – if you look back at that semi-final it came down to a few moments where we turned the ball over, giving them opportunities.
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“You know that if you turn over the ball against Fiji, they’re going to make you pay, and they did in that game.
“So we’re going to work on those few small technical areas and limit our turnovers, and if we do that and believe in ourselves, I think we’ll have a good weekend.”
Ranked in third place with 143 points, New Zealand have made two changes to their 12-man squad for the season finale. Scott Gregory has been released to the New Zealand U20s with Amanaki Nicole coming in as a replacement while Ngarohi McGarvey-Black has been called up as an injury replacement for Kurt Baker.
Co-captain Tim Mikkelson is expecting consistency from his side this weekend, commenting: “We played two or three really good games on the first day in London and then on the second day we played a good half but then we had no ball and no possession in the second half and lost to a very good French team. We just want that consistency of playing really well for six games.”
New Zealand will be celebrating a milestone within their squad this weekend as co-captain Scott Curry will earn his 50th cap as he takes to the pitch at the Stade Jean-Bouin.
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
24 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments