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The All Blacks Sevens aren't 'stressing' and neither should their fans
Fehi Fineanganofo was the hero the All Blacks Sevens shouldn’t have needed in Perth. New Zealand raced out to a 19-point lead before a barrage of opposition tries opened the door for a stunning upset.
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The clock was ticking dangerously close to full-time in the ninth-place semi-final against Canada at SVNS Perth late last month. New Zealand were relegated to the bottom four after losses to France and Fiji saw them finish outside of Cup quarter-final qualification in pool play.
But their weekend almost went from bad to worse. It got ugly for the Kiwis as Canada scored three tries in four minutes to put themselves in the driver’s seat for an incredible shock.
Canada, who are second-last on the overall SVNS Series standings, came close to beating the All Blacks Sevens for the second time in as many meetings this season – and they probably should’ve.
But New Zealand snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Fineanganofo broke through for the match-winning score in the final minute which saved the reigning overall series champions from having to battle to battle it out with Great Britain for 11th place.
Crisis averted.
The All Blacks Sevens finished their campaign at HBF Park on a high note as veteran Tim Mikkelson scored a last-gasp winner to sink Samoa 21-14 in the ninth-place decider.
“It was pleasing a pleasing finish to the tournament even though we didn’t get the result we wanted,” New Zealand sevens star Sam Dickson told RugbyPass in Perth.
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“Credit to the other teams,” he added. “They’re playing outstanding this year and you could see the whole level has raised so much. One to 12 could win the tournament.
“We’re slowly building towards the Olympics, the Olympics in our main goal… we aren’t stressing. We know what we’re doing and we’ve got a plan in place.”
That might be a tough pill for New Zealand rugby supporters to swallow. Those tasked with wearing the black jersey are expected to do it justice every time they step onto the field of battle.
But the All Blacks Sevens’ form this season hasn’t been captivating – certainly not for the right reasons. After winning the World Series last season, they’re yet to make a Cup final this time around.
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New Zealand were beaten by Argentina in a thrilling SVNS Dubai semi-final, but that’s as good as it’s been for them this season. They were fortunate to make the Cup quarters in Cape Town after placing third in their pool behind arch-rivals Australia and Canada.
There’s no question these results have been shockingly poor. It’s not what fans expect of their New Zealand rugby heroes, and it’s not what the players want either.
After their shortcomings in Perth over the Australia Day long weekend, the men in black are sixth on the overall standings. They’re 18 points away from the drop – only the top eight sides qualify for the Grand Final in Madrid – and 26 points shy of series leaders Argentina.
But Dickson said it himself, the All Blacks Sevens aren’t “stressing.”
While it would be naïve to suggest that there’s absolutely no cause for concern, there’s every reason to be wary of the threat the All Blacks Sevens pose heading into the rest of the SVNS Series season.
After all, they’ve been here before.
New Zealand only won one overall series title between the 2014/15 season and the end of 2021/22. They emerged victorious after a six-tournament 2019/20 campaign.
While everyone expected the All Blacks Sevens to be in the mix last season, whether they’re the favourites was up to interpretation. But after a few rounds, their title credentials seemingly become clear.
New Zealand started the season as the bowl final ‘winners’ in Hong Kong China, third in Dubai, runners-up to Samoa in Cape Town and runners-up to Argentina in Hamilton.
It could’ve been easy to write that team off as a mere pretender, but the All Blacks Sevens continued to build behind the scenes and eventually, it all clicked.
The New Zealanders won five of the next seven Cup finals.
But what can the past teach sevens fans about the present?
They’re capable of turning it on, and once they do, New Zealand be up there with the best of the best once again.
So, take Sam Dickson’s advice. The players aren’t “stressing” and neither should their fans – instead it’s the rugby warriors and supporters from other nations who should be wary of how much the All Blacks Sevens are flying under the radar as contenders.
You can never write off New Zealand. Don’t poke the bear.
Next up on the SVNS Series is an event in Vancouver from February 23 to 25. Those interested in watching some of the world’s best rugby while enjoying the best party in town can get tickets HERE.
Comments on RugbyPass
How does the size of the ‘bloke being hit’ factor into this? If you’re on the opposing team you are fair game. Is Finau the first person in history to target the first five? It seems like this is a great strategy to interrupt your opponents attack. As far as I’m aware, of the four excellent hits on Aussie first fives this year only one of them was ruled late. So if crying about legal tackles isn’t whingeing, then what is it?
4 Go to commentsThings I want to pay attention to this series. 1) Nothing against the other teams in 6 nations, but apart from Irelands loss to england, I dont feel they got tested, So I think this might be tight. 2) Rassie wants to build depth, and would rather do it before a world cup, but I am sure deep inside, he will be reminded that we have not beaten Ireland in years. 3) Will our new coaches plans be sound abd organised in time for the Ireland series? Remember our warm ups might only see our second or third string players available (When are we going to have one universal calander year?) 4) I see Ireland have moved on from Sexton, but what will Farrels plans be for SA? I am sure he will go for a full strength squad. 5) I think the test for the springboks will be the Durban game, it will be in winter, so not too hot for the Irish,no altitude, and it rains allot, might remind them of home. Loftus, if the springboks play the right game, I feel altitude like with most games before, can cause some challanges. 6) Off topic, but who is both Anxious and excited about what the Abs are coming with? A whole new coaching team and different style of play.
113 Go to commentsMost underrated player in world rugby.
2 Go to commentsHow many fans will travel to Qatar to watch these games ? because if they dont, it will be played in front of a few disinterested unknowledgeable Qataris and then just becomes media ‘content’. Thats what Test rugby will be reduced to.
1 Go to commentsSo as long as the playmaker still has the ball IN his hands, its OK. Otherwise the timing is wrong and he’s a liability. No grey line there. Thats the rule he is advocating ? Got it.
4 Go to commentsWrite them off at your peril
8 Go to commentsJust fantastic that the professional game is finally being taken to the Pacific islands. Not before time. It justifies the mere existence of Moana as a club, hopefully they can start to get some positive results too. Check out the sheer joy of the crowds in Fiji and the buzz that having a home team creates. Tonga always had (has ?) issues with their ground not complying with International rugby standards, which NZ always used as an excuse for many years not bringing the All Blacks over. Hopefully this match is the first of many. Would be great to see some tourism grow on the back of it. I once went to the Cook Islands Sevens in Rarotonga - tiny island nation but man did they turn it on. Tonga and Samoa will too given half a chance.
1 Go to commentsQuite right. Punish the time wasters. Its BS these time delays for non-injuries. The Boks have been using it for years now to slow down opposition and now its a scourge on the game. Put players like DeGroot on the sideline and restart play immediately. Watch how 5-6 min to fix your boots quickly becomes 1-2 minutes. Better still how about some personal professional management and you check the conditions/turf beforehand and get yourself better prepared. It might even help your team.
1 Go to commentsWhat drivel. Rugby as a contact sport should not be further diminished by crying over legal hard tackles. Take on the line? Be ready to take the hit. This is PC nonsense.
4 Go to commentsGregor Paul is going to be proved totally wrong. The Crusaders will get in the top 8 and are capable of winning this comp. The return of magnificent captain and player Scott Barrett on Friday was huge. There are a number of players returning and Ethan Blackadder showed huge progression in only his third game back. Christian Lio-Willie has added a new dimension , these two’s combination with Cullen Grace was fantastic. This builds depth when you have outstanding players like Tom Christie and Dom Gardiner also available. The tight five improved ten fold and this is with Tamaiti Williams and Codie Taylor being back.Others are set to return. Johnny McNicoll on his return home has been a revelation. Paul can dismiss Fridays win by the Crusaders as much as he likes and he will prove very popular in this country in doing so. But he will be proved wrong , Rob Penney and his coaching team will have the last laugh.
8 Go to commentsI haven’t seen or heard to many whinging about Finau quite the opposite. The TMO’s have reviewed each time and taken no action, so if they have now been alerted it’s not from people whinging The player comes flying out of the line and launches himself at the attacker so it is probably ruled as a committed tackle, but at what point does it move to tackling a player without the ball Time will tell
4 Go to commentsThis cracked media record of aligning success or failure on head coaches is remarkable. Using the crusaders past history as an example, a more sensible observation and analysis could be that the recent head coaches had inherited a extremely successful combination of players linked to their traditional historical support of the Canterbury people. That period ended this year when the new coach was introduced to virtually a new team. And in a year where other franchises have grown much stronger than their respective past, it was always an anticipated reality that the coach and his new crusader team were up against it. Therefore, I humbly believe that unlike some commentators present, I laud coach Penny and the team for their efforts to date and I am sure given another term and with Canterbury behind them they will be riding high once more. Strange all this coming from me who lives in Taupo and a one eyed chiefs supporter. Can't wait for all future chiefs and crusader games!
8 Go to commentsGrt bench player..keep him there..
3 Go to commentsA Springbok 2-0 win: haha told you we were champions now shut up An Irish 2-0 win: the referee was under orders from world rugby to cheat us but luckily we don’t care because this is part of Rassie’s grand world Cup plan.
113 Go to commentsI hope they didn’t pay Jones fee?
2 Go to commentsTo be fair, the teams he's had to put out are reminiscent of those available to Gatland during his horrible run at the Chiefs in late 2020. Anyway, he's only got a two year contract and Wellingtonian Tamati Ellison will be ready by then, as will a lot of talented youngsters (like the Chiefs Gatland blooded). The Crusaders are planning for the long term.
8 Go to commentsGreat to see more community spending leading to higher participation in the community. It's a long road but that's a good first step.
2 Go to commentsPoetic justice for trying to sell him to Australia as another kiwi saviour coach, not ! Deans was just as bad actually but McCaw and Carter covered up for him. That’s why they didn’t want him as All Black coach, even after Graeme Henry’s bumbling effort in 2007.
8 Go to commentsSACK HIM !
8 Go to commentsSafas are so triggered by Ireland. 3 consecutive losses, incl RWC. 8 losses out of last 12 Tests. Always excuses, of course, with Bok fans. Now Rassie with his “88%” nonsense, the Claytons Excuse is an embarrassment to Bok teams of the past when every test mattered. Their fickle mojo will be on edge for the Ireland tour. Have the referees been appointed yet ? They will need security. Have WR laid out strict guidelines for TMO’s and replays on the stadium screens ? Will the constant stoppages from Bok forwards for cramps and bootlaces be tolerated ? We’re not talking a dominant Springbok team here, they won the LOTTO Cup and they know it whether they admit it or not. The Disney doco has their fans positively fermenting internally, its going to be a nasty hangover if they get beaten on home soil. What will the excuses be then……
113 Go to comments