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New Zealand keep title hopes alive by beating Australia in ‘must-win’ clash
With their hopes of playing in the SVNS Singapore Cup quarter-finals hanging in the balance, New Zealand have lived to fight another game after overcoming Australia 26-10 in a “must-win” clash.
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New Zealand started their campaign at the National Stadium with a tight win over Canada but a disastrous defeat to Series frontrunners Argentina later on left them with their backs against the ropes.
It was almost poetic that for the All Blacks Sevens to remain alive in this competition they would have to thwart off the threat of their fiercest rivals Australia, and the Aussies had looked good too.
Australia went unbeaten on the opening day of play with a big win over Los Pumas Sevens and another impressive performance against Series cellar dwellers Canada who looked much-improved.
While the Aussies were set to play in the quarter-finals, New Zealand had it all on the line and they certainly played like it and rain continued to pour down onto the roof of the Singaporean venue.
Fehi Fineanganofo scored the opener inside the first minute which set the tone for the All Blacks Sevens, and Moses Leo added a first half double before captain Dylan Collier scored on the bell.
“We set a goal this morning that this was pretty much an early quarter-final, a must-win,” Leo told RugbyPass.
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“It was good that we stated well had a few bumps through the middle but Aussie are a good side so they took advantage of their opportunities.
“Definitely looking forward to the next game.”
“Playing like defending champions now” 🏆@NZ_Sevens continue their push for another title 🇳🇿#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSSGP pic.twitter.com/UTGSZ5I4NZ
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) May 4, 2024
The All Blacks Sevens will play the United States of America in the quarter-finals – the very same side who knocked the Kiwis out of Cup contention at SVNS Los Angeles earlier this season.
But if the New Zealanders are good enough to beat Perry Baker and Co. then the men in black could be set for a reunion of sorts with Australia playing South Africa on the same side of the draw.
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That’s a conversation for another time, though, with the Hong Kong Sevens champions New Zealand just searching for some consistency ahead of the Series’ Grand Final event in Madrid later this month.
“We’ve gone away from some of our processes and I think that comes with boys not having a lot of game time,” Leo explained.
“The coaches are trusting in players to put on the black jersey and mixing up connections, giving them the opportunity to play in the black jersey.
“I think there’s a bit of teething, a bit of rust and that’s to be expected, but it’s how we can bounce back from that and I think this game was a good reflection of how we reflected on yesterday.”
New Zealand play the USA in the third men’s quarter-final at 7:48 pm local time before South Africa take on Australia in the following match at 8:12 pm.
Earlier, SVNS LAX champions France will take on a spirited Great Britain outfit who are battling for a top eight spot on the Series, while Argentina take on Ireland in the other knockout fixture.
Catch up on all the latest SVNS Series action from the 2023/24 season on RugbyPass TV. SVNS Singapore is live and free to watch, all you need to do is sign up HERE.
Comments on RugbyPass
One tough SOB!
15 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
1 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
2 Go to commentsWallaroos have no chance of beating the Black Ferns unless Canada upsets them in Christchurch tomorrow but I doubt that as well!
1 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Could the victim do a course to reverse the long term CTE damage from the cheapshot?
2 Go to commentsTruely great player. In social media and opinion pieces he was held up and flogged for the results. People wanted someone to crucify, and he was the captain. He was still an immense presence respected by his peers. His battles with Siya Kolisi belong up with with Collins vs Burger in my opinion. Unlucky to be carded in the final, but I don’t agree that his red card was the defining moment. Not when you look at the dominant performances of the Springboks (PSDT in particular.) I think Cane should be remembered for the spirit and physicality that is special to test rugby.
15 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
15 Go to comments_Crusaders versus Leinster _at the moment might be a rout! But I would like to see the Blues play Toulouse, the Hurricanes front up against Stade Francais, and the Chiefs go against Toulon.
157 Go to commentsLove it when we overlap! Promise it was not forethought.
18 Go to commentsjfc can this guy plz stay out of the news for one week
2 Go to commentsIf stormers aren’t available. Based on form and likely availability at the time of the wales Test, you’d think Masuku would be a no-brainer to start. But starting Jordan also makes sense having Masuku come off the bench to close out the game.
2 Go to commentsGlad Tom Curry not playing needs time to recover such a great player also his brother Ben how well is he playing now .
1 Go to commentsLet’s examine what might be irking the brainless E: Up until 20 years before this coming Julys tests: 16 games: 14 wins for SA; 1 win for Ire; 1 draw From 20 years until July’ tests Ireland V SA: 13 matches Ireland won 8; SA won 4; 1 draw Points scored Ireland 261; SA 189 Ave Winning Margin: Ireland 11 points; SA 4 points (away 3, home 6) Away win record: Ireland 33.33%; SA 25% Neutral matches 1: Ireland win RWC France 2023. Last SA win June 2016 (8 years ago) They boast 3 World cups in that period (they do boast). The above record is not good, probably not much better than theirs against NZ for same period. That’s why the dopey E is starting fights in his head. He will probably ship a yellow when things don’t go their way in the first test.
127 Go to commentsGoode is like a wet fart on The Rugby Pod and should be shoved aside. Jim knows what he is on about and can get on better without Goode’s nasty little cheap shots.
127 Go to commentsBrumbies will win, crusaders are pretty awful this year
1 Go to commentsThis has the makings of a good match. That’s Leinster’s second team but its a good one (stronger than the teams in SA recently). Ulster are really turning a page. Ryan back is huge, and Keenan too. This could be a cracker.
1 Go to commentsThe Farrells are one of the great father and son combinations. Andy was an RL great, and had he played Union as his first sport, I would be sure he would have been avery significant forcewas in League. And Owen, a Union great, who had he played League, would could have been a great there too i all probability. I feel my attitude to Owen has mellowed as he has aged, and in the post Jones era, evolved and shown his full range of talents. He really is an all round player, and I have wold hope his move to France will be successful. He may even be the piece in the jigsaw that Racing need to rise to challenge Toulouse and LAR. He is ofc now approaching 33 years of age but should still have enough left to make a big contribution in France for at least2/3 years.
45 Go to commentsI reckon it may be Jordan at 10 and Nohamba at 9, both players have played together alot and both have been on the Radar for a long time. After Pollard got injured in 2022 with Elton sidelined on a path of self destruction Erasmus and Nienaber indicated that the other options in the country at the time were thin but that Jordan and Manie were the 2 they were looking at. In the end Frans steyn played flyhalf, Willemse slotted in there on the end of year with Libbok as back up. Jordan was right there in the thinking back then so expect him to take the Jersey either as the starter.
2 Go to commentsHaha did he also* say it in a sarcastic teacher sort of manor or was it the petulant English snob sort of wail?
45 Go to commentsWell said Mils. It is a big boost at last having Fergus Burke back at 10 for the Crusaders. Had a great season last year as the article says. Mils is also right about captain Codie Taylor’s performance in his return to the Crusaders last week. He was all class.
4 Go to comments