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Morgan Turinui weighs in on the talent shown at Global Youth Sevens
By Henry Lee
With over 72 U18 Sevens teams in action at Dilworth College in Auckland over the weekend, it’s safe to say there were some future stars on show that will go on to become Olympians, All Blacks, Wallabies, Wallaroos, and many more.
New Zealand U18’s secured both titles, with the Girls overcoming a tough NZ Cavaliers side, while the Boys beat across-the-ditch rivals, Australia.
Both teams were fortunate to have high-quality players as assistant coaches, with one of New Zealand’s best-ever Sevens players, DJ Forbes, taking on the role of assistant for the U18 Boys at the tournament in Auckland.
The New Zealand U18 Girls had 44-Test Black Fern Kelly Brazier as their assistant coach, while they had the expertise and experience of Kendra Cocksedge running the waters for them throughout the three days.
Some talented players who have already made waves around the world were also on show, including Pacific Tribe’s Shalom Sauaso, who plays for the Brisbane Broncos NRLW team, and Wallaroos winger Waiaria Ellis.
New Zealand’s Asha Taumoepeau-Williams, out of Howick College in Auckland, was named Girls MVP for the tournament, while exciting Reds flyer Treyvon Pritchard took out the same award on the Boys side of the draw.
Former Wallabies international Morgan Turinui was in Auckland to watch his daughter, Darci, play for the Australia U18s, as well as commentate on a couple of games for Sky Sport.
Turinui, speaking to Global Youth Sevens on Sunday, said that the tournament is a great breeding ground for athletes to go on and represent their country at a professional level.
Braxton Sorensen-McGee was in the New Zealand U18’s in 2024, before her rapid rise to the Black Ferns, and players like Cody Vai, Jorja Miller, Hoskins Sotutu, and Leroy Carter have all played in the Global Youth Sevens tournament in previous years.
“It’s a well-run tournament. Three fields, just heaps and heaps of rugby. So the kids get lots and lots of time. They have to play injured and tired and back up in different conditions,” Turinui said.
“Over 40 players have gone on to play international rugby, or go to the Olympics. So there’s that for those kids that want to represent their country, but also there’s the other part of it, kids having fun and learning the values of rugby.
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Despite the Australia U18’s losing the quarter-final to the eventual runners-up, the NZ Cavaliers, the current Stan Sport commentator says it’s important how you bounce back from unexpected losses in tournaments.
“So that Australian U18’s, losing a quarter-final, they’re disappointed, but it’s a great lesson. You never want to lose, but if you do lose, it’s a great lesson to see if you can bounce back to come together as a team.
“If you’re a kid, just stick with it, the kids that are here playing in let’s say, the NZ 18, the Australia U18’s, they weren’t always superstars at 15.
“Sometimes they’re the kids that didn’t give up and kept working. So I think that’s a great lesson, too.”
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