‘Wait and see’: New Zealand get Cape Town SVNS back on track against old foe
There might not be a better rivalry in all of southern hemisphere sports than New Zealand versus Australia. It’s a matchup that transcends sport as national bragging rights go up for grabs each and every time.
Whether it’s in rugby union, league, cricket or even sailing, these matchups become a hot topic of discussion in either nation as the Trans-Tasman foes prepare for a sports war built on respect.
Another chapter in the long-lasting history of this rivalry was written on Saturday afternoon in Cape Town, South Africa, as New Zealand looked to bounce back from a surprise loss at the SVNS.
Only a couple of hours after their shockingly surprising 19-7 defeat to Canada, the All Blacks Sevens charged onto the field at the Cape Town Stadium with a genuine point to prove.
Australia had blitzed Samoa earlier that day, and the men in gold appeared to be full of confidence ahead of their decisive pool match. But it wasn’t even close in the end.
2022 Sevens Player of the Year nominee Leroy Carter scored a first-half hat-trick as the New Zealanders ran away with a relentlessly dominant 35-5 win.
You couldn’t wipe the smile off Carter’s face as the All Blacks Sevens star walked off the field and down the tunnel at the well-known South African sports venue. Away from the watchful eyes of fans, it was clear how much that meant to the players.
“It’s obviously a good feeling (beating) the old neighbours. It’s always a good battle and it definitely wasn’t easy,” Carter told RugbyPass.
“We’re definitely proud of it but there’s always room to improve,” he added. “We’re gonna get better throughout this tourney and I guess you’ll just have to wait and see.
“It’s always good but a wins a win – we want to beat everyone. We don’t really care who we come up against, we want to put in a performance like that.
“But it does make it a little better beating Aussie.”
The All Blacks Sevens are the reigning world champions after a headline-grabbing run to glory in 2022/23, and many expected their reign to continue ahead of the new season.
New Zealand have only failed to defend their world title at last once on two occasions – with the men’s and women’s teams both failing to hit the mark on one occasion each.
But the men in black failed to reach the heights of cup final glory in Dubai last weekend. Argentina booked their place in their first-ever decider at that event with a tough win in the semis.
Looking to bounce back a week later, Canada proved too good during one of the early contenders for the upset of the season.
“We obviously didn’t start off very well against Canada but it was good to see the boys put a performance in,” Carter said
“To get on the end of a couple of meat pies (against Australia) wasn’t too bad eight.
“(Canada) are a good team. We had a rough start against them actually the weekend before in Dubai and we should’ve learned from that but we didn’t and that’s what happens when you come into a game not prepped right and I guess we’ll learn from that.”
This All Blacks Sevens side is far from the finished product, but they know that. They feel the expectations and pressure set of them – as does any New Zealand rugby team.
But it’s all part of the journey. There’s no need to set off the alarms or break out into a panic, the New Zealanders are building for sport’s ultimate prize.
“We definitely started off Dubai better than we did Hong Kong last year.
“There’s just heaps of room to improve and I guess we’re not trying to be the best at the moment, we want to be the best in a couple of months’ time at the Olympics.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Great to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
1 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
2 Go to comments