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Two big name players injured as Black Ferns Sevens progress to semis
The Black Ferns Sevens are through to the semi-finals in Singapore after running away for a clinical 24-5 win over Great Britain on Saturday evening, but that victory appears to have come at a significant cost.
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New Zealand were firmly in control for practically the entirety of the knockout clash and never really appeared in danger of losing, but coach Cory Sweeney will have a couple of selection headaches before Sunday’s fixtures.
Dual international Tyla King left the field on a medical cart during the second half, and fellow Olympic gold medallist Shiray Kaka was unfortunately not too far behind after being carried off the field at the National Stadium.
King, who has also played rugby league for the St George Dragons and New Zealand, is the reigning World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year. Kaka was also recognised as the best and fairest at the Hong Kong Sevens last month.
Captain Risaleanna Pouri-Lane, who led by example in the quarter-final with a decisive double, had “no idea” about the seriousness of the two injuries but remains confident the New Zealanders have the depth to match it with the best.
“All I know is that they’re getting seen to. We’ll catch up with them later but I know our team will come together and work for them,” Pouri-Lane told RugbyPass on Saturday.
“It’s definitely a hole. They hold so much knowledge and experience in the game – they’re very talented players.
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“But I think that’s the strength of our team that we have 13 player that come away on tour and can step in at any moment as well and we trust them fully to get the job done.”
With regular starters King and Kaka both on the field, captain ‘Risi’ Pouri-Lane helped the women in black get off to an idyllic start with a try in the third minute. Theresa Setefano added another five-pointer to the score just before the break.
New Zealand were well and truly in the box seat, and while Ellie Boatman hit back for the Brits early in the second half, a try to Jorja Miller and a second for Pouri-Lane ensured the Black Ferns Sevens would march on in Singapore.
New Zealand book their place in the final four 🇳🇿#HSBCSVNS | #HSBCSVNSSGP | @NZ_Sevens pic.twitter.com/pROGkkFRvi
— HSBC SVNS (@SVNSSeries) May 4, 2024
“It was a pretty gritty game,” Pouri-Lane discussed. “We knew that anyone can turn up in finals footy.
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“Pretty stoked to get away with the win but we definitely had to work for it.
“We know in the back of our minds that if we come away with the win this tournament we will become the league winners,” she added when asked about the possibility of winning the inaugural SVNS Series league title.
“But we also know there’s Madrid to play for, the Olympics.
“It’s there but we also know we’ve still got to be consistent and work for the bigger goals as well.”
About a second or two before RugbyPass’ interview with Pouri-Lane, Jorja Miller walked over and handed New Zealand’s captain a bag of water bottles. It was all business between the pair but the skipper made sure to deal a joking jap at the youngster after she’d walked away.
Pouri-Lane credited Miller’s eye-catching form in Singapore down to a “fluke” before delving deeper into what makes the rising star such a force to be reckoned with on the SVNS Series.
“Honestly, you’ve just got to let Jorja play and do her thing.
“A pretty unorthodox player. We’ll have a game plan but when Jorja’s got the ball you just let her do her thing and try and play off her.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
Fellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
5 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
1 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
5 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
5 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
3 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.
16 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
16 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.
19 Go to commentsjfc can this guy plz stay out of the news for one week
3 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 comments