There are 4 newcommers to the New Zealand Sevens Squad for the remainder of the 2011-2012 IRB Sevens Series. 1. Mark Jackman Jackman is the real bolter here. The former Hawkes Bay fullback/wing made the move south to play sevens for Canterbury this year. He was not part of the Hawkes Bay Sevens set-up but [...]
Who are the big omissions from the New Zealand Sevens Team?
Waikato youngsters Glen Robertson and Joe Webber both missed out on selection after having played in the first three IRB Sevens Series tournaments of the 2011-2012 season (Australia, Dubai and South Africa). Coach Teitjens has gone with Kylem O’Donnell in the back-up playmaker position with new-commer Mark Jackman providing line-breaking potential one out. Ben Souness [...]
New Zealand Sevens Squad 2012
New Zealand coach Gordon Teitjens named the following 15 players to compete in the 6 remaining tournaments of the 2011-2012 IRB Sevens Series, starting with the Wellington Sevens on the 3-4th of February. Toby Arnold Bay of Plenty Tomasi Cama Manawatu Scott Curry Bay of Plenty DJ Forbes Counties Manukau Frank Halai Waikato Bryce Heem [...]
Why aren’t there more Auckland players in the New Zealand Sevens squad?
Gordon Teitjens named his 30 player squad at the conclusion of the National Sevens in Queenstown at the weekend and despite winning the tournament for the second time in a row, Auckland had just three players named – Lolagi Visinia, Nathan Hughes and Charles Piutau. Waikato and Taranaki each had 5 players named in the [...]
Buxton Popoali’i – 2012 National Sevens Player of the Tournament
Buxton Popoali’i moved from Wellington to Otago to re-start his career in 2010. It paid off with his recall to the New Zealand Sevens team last year after a strong showing at the 2011 National Sevens. He then cemented a starting place on the wing for Otago in the NPC in 2011. Last weekend he [...]
Why are the best two players from the National Sevens not in the New Zealand team?
Otago’s Buxton Popoali’i was a revelation at last year’s New Zealand Sevens in Wellington. He had a blinder and looked every bit the heir apparent to Tomasi Cama. Popoali’i was named 2012 player of the tournament at the National Sevens in Queenstown last weekend. He was brilliant in both defense and attack but he will not be [...]
What happened to Bay of Plenty at the 2012 Nationals?
Bay of Plenty were narrowly beaten in the final of the 2010 National Sevens. They won the North Island lead-up tournament in 2011 but have fallen off the pace badly this year. All they managed in 2012 was to win the Shield – the lowest of the trophies in offer. So what happened? Firstly, Pool D [...]
New Zealand Sevens training squad 2012
Gordon Teitjens has named his 30 man squad to compete for places in the New Zealand sevens team for the Wellington and Las Vegas IRB World Series tournaments. They are: Toby Arnold Bay of Plenty Tomasi Cama Manawatu Frazier Climo Taranaki Scott Curry Bay of Plenty Matt Faddes Otago DJ Forbes Counties-Manukau Frank Halai Waikato Bryce Heem [...]
National Sevens 2012 – Day one results
There was 1 major upset on Day#1 of the National Sevens in Queenstown that led to some interesting match-ups and finals scenarios on Day#2. Pool D North Harbour 19 – 21 Canterbury Pool D Bay of Plenty 14 – 14 Tasman Pool C Waikato 28 – 12 Wellington Pool C Counties Manukau 12 – 15 Northland [...]
There’s an element of ‘Jobs for the boys’ about the New Zealand Women’s Sevens coach appointment
The New Zealand women’s Sevens team took their first step towards the Olympics by appointing a full-time coach. More competition and specialised training will follow. It’s about time and hopefully not too late. The NZRFU’s commitment to women’s rugby has been token at best but the days of expectation without resources are over. The English, [...]