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‘Mater of the game’ named All Blacks Sevens Head Coach
The All Blacks Sevens have revealed their new head coach for the 2024 season, with “master of the game” Tomasi Cama set to replace Clark Laidlaw in the role.
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Back in his playing days, the All Blacks Sevens legend was an icon of the sport. Alongside the likes of DJ Forbes and Tim Mikkelson, Cama played a key role in New Zealand’s dynastic period of success.
After hanging up the boots, Cama joined the All Blacks Sevens’ management team. Cama, 42, spent six seasons coaching under Clark Laidlaw as an assistant.
New Zealand Rugby has rewarded Cama for his unrivalled service to the All Blacks Sevens side by promoting from within.
Cama will step up to the plate as the new head coach of the men’s team for the 2024 season, and will remain in that role through until the end of the Paris Olympics in July.
NZR Head of Men’s High Performance Mike Anthony praised the incoming head coach for driving “a strong performance culture” within the All Blacks Sevens.
“Tomasi is a master of the game of sevens and an integral part of the DNA of this team, given his significant experience as both a player and a coach,” Anthony said.
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“He has mana within the playing squad and along with the management team has driven a strong performance culture and achieved success.
“The team are coming off the back of one of their most successful seasons in recent history and we know they are incredibly motivated to continue that form through to the 2024 Olympics.”
Outing All Blacks Sevens coach Clark Laidlaw will return to the 15-man game next season after inking a deal with Super Rugby Pacific club the Hurricanes.
But, as far as replacements go, there are probably none better than Tomasi Cama.
Cama won a Commonwealth Games gold medal during his playing days, and is a Rugby World Cup Sevens champion both as a player and coach – although, this will be another step up.
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“Following on from Titch (Sir Gordon Tietjens) and Clark (Laidlaw) – they are big shoes to fill given what they have achieved with this team,” Cama said in a statement.
“I had to think quite hard about how I could make an impact in this role. The players and management here made the decision easier; they are great people and great at what they do.”
Euan Mackintosh will remain in his role as an assistant coach, while NZR will look to appoint another assistant in the future.
The new-look SVNS World Series gets underway on December 9-10 in Cape Town.
Following on from the first leg in South Africa, the Series will also go to Australia, Canada, USA, Hong Kong China, Singapore and Spain.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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