Archive | New Zealand 7s Events

Plenty of big names at the 2012 Mount Maunganui Club Sevens

Before provincial sevens gained in prominence and professional rugby took its toll on the availability of the country’s top players – club sevens tournaments were where New Zealand’s best players were seen.

The Mount Maunganui club sevens have always been popular because of the location and the timing. Auckland Anniversary weekend gives many players the time to travel and enjoy the beach life at the height of summer.

Over the past 10 years the players have been mostly amateur – and that’s not bad thing of course.

But in 2012 there were more notable players than there have been in the last few years because
a) New Zealand sevens coach Gordon Teitjens wanted to see some of his players in action; and
b) Players are now starting to choose sevens as a career move and the Mount offers matchplay soon after the Nationals.

New Zealand internationals Lote Raikubula, Bryce Heem and Scott Curry were getting valuable match fitness in the lead up to the New Zealand leg of the IRB World Sevens Series in Wellington in 5 days time.

The 3 were absent from the provincial tournaments played in early January.

Bryce Heem - good mixture of speed and strength up the middle

Scott Curry - huge work rate & always backing up

Scott Curry, New Zealand

The biggest news was All Black Hosea Gear taking time out of his super rugby preparations to make a bid to play in Wellington.

Hosea Gear - speed and strength

Ex-internationals

Recent international Joe Webber was playing for Hamilton Marist

Zar Lawrence playing for Mount Maunganui Sports

Ex-international and Auckland sevens captain Edwin Coker led College Rifles

Ex-international, Jack McPhee

Nathaniel Walker - very efective at this level

Prominent Players

Ken Pisi - North Harbour NPC and sevens player made the NZ 7s training squad this year

Phil Tuigamala - the North Harbour playmaker lead Massey to the final

Gillies Kaka - The Hawkes Bay Sevens and NPC wing is a brilliant player

Colin Bourke - departing Bay of Plenty Steamers captain

Matt Clutterbuck - Transferred from Otago (to Bay of Plenty) and making a strong start in sevens

Lance MacDonald - Big stepping Bay of Plenty Steamers and Bay Sevens wing

Jack Wilson - Moved home from Canterbury and on the rise

Ryan Meacham - Hamilton Old Boys & Waikato 7s speedster

Rangataua make it back to back titles at the Mount Maunganui Club 7s

Tauranga club Rangataua won the 2012 Mount Maunganui Sevens tournament by beating North Harbour’s Massey in a tight final 17-12.

It was a slightly different team from 2011. Jason Hona is out for 2012 because of surgery and Ruki Tipuna is playing in England.

So they drafted in some help. The most notable were New Zealand international Lote Raikubula and Bay of Plenty sevens rep Jack Wilson. Bay rep Matt Clutterbuck had already transferred to Rangataua last year.

Lote Raikubula, Rangataua

Matt Clutterbuck and Jack Wilson

Local boys Nathanial Walker and Adam McGarvey provided spark in the back line to compliment the very strong forward effort.

Adam McGarvey, Rangataua

Path to the final

Rangataua beat Auckland University in their first match and progressed to the Cup quarter finals with a win over Hamilton Old Boys.
They drilled Hastings in their quarter final, 40 – 19.
Their semi-final was against College Rifles from Auckland. Rifles are led by ex-international and Auckland sevens captain Edwin Coker but it was largely a one-sided affair with Rangataua running out the victor, 26 – 7

They gained in confidence and cohesion as the day wore on.

Final

Massey had North Harbour sevens reps Ken Pisi and Phil Tuigamala.

Nafi Tuitavake was also on the team sheet but he must have suffered injury early on because he did not play in the semi-finals or final.

Massey were a solid unit all day. They beat neighbours Glenfield in the quarter final 34 – 12 and had a convincing win over the Gillies Kaka led Havelock North 35-0 in their semi-final.

The final was tight. Both sides played well on defense, showing excellent fitness in the 20 minute finale. It was each team’s 5th match on a warm breezy day.

Lote Raikubula opened the scoring for Rangataua but then Massey drew level just before the half time break.

Things remained level at 5 -5 for most of the second half until Rangataua broke the dead lock with a try from long range. Then Massey hit straight back with a try from the re-start – Rangataua’s only real weakness.

Ex-international Nathaniel Walker - still effective at this level

Jack Wilson was subbed on for the last 2 minutes and he had a huge impact. He took a pass on attack with a man to beat and showed good strength and pace to get by and seal the win for Rangataua 12 – 7.

Wilson transferred up from Canterbury this season. He played well for Bay of Plenty sevens and made it into Gordon Teitjens training squad. He has size, strength and speed and we’re likely to see a lot more of him.

Rangataua deserved the win but it should be noted that they did have help along the way whereas Massey were a genuine club team who got very close without star player Nafi Tuitavake.

Why aren’t there more Auckland players in the New Zealand Sevens squad?

Filed under IRB Sevens Series, New Zealand, New Zealand 7s Events, New Zealand National Provincial 7s by Maru on January 13, 2012 at 11:06 am {2 comments}

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 squad.

Here’s how the provincial split went

Province	Players
Auckland	3
Bay of Plenty	3
Canterbury	1
Counties-Manukau	2
Manawatu	1
North Harbour	3
Northland	1
Otago	3
Taranaki	5
Tasman	1
Waikato	5
Wellington	2
	30

[Charles Piutau was not playing at the National Sevens but was in the New Zealand sevens team at the Australian, Dubai and South African legs of the IRB World Sevens Series before christmas]

So why aren’t there more Aucklanders?

Tom Iosefo plays for Samoa

Gordon Teitjens keeps selection thoughts to himself so it’s all speculation but there are a couple of points to note.

1. Four of the Auckland players aren’t available for New Zealand

Tom Iosefo plays sevens for Samoa
Iosefo currently sits second on the try scoring table for the Word Sevens Series.
Malakai Fekitoa is aligned with Tonga
The 2011 National Sevens player of the tournament has played for Tonga at age group level
Tenina Sauileoge is aligned with Samoa
Player of the tournament at the Paradise Sevens on the Gold Coast in November, Sauileoge played for Samoa at the Junior World Cup in 2008.
[thanks to Stepper below for the correction]
Ben Lam is in the Blues wider training squad
Even though it’s not the full squad and he may not even get to suit up, it counts Lam out of svens contention.

2. Lack of consistent exposure

The Bay of Plenty Invitational Sevens is played the weekend prior to the Nationals in Queenstown. Coach Teitjens has always encouraged teams and players to turn out to both events.

As a coach, I want to see how players can back up on tournaments. We’ve got a five-day turnaround in the world series, so that gives me an idea.

Auckland chose not to be at the Bay tournament. The opportunity to perform in front of the national coach 2 weeks in a row was lost.

So the exposure opportunity was limited – right at the time when the squad was being finalised.

Also, apart from thrashing lowly ranked Mid Canterbury, Auckland had a slow start on Day #1 of the Nationals.

They lost to Manawatu 24-7 and only just got past Hawkes Bay 24-19 to make the quarter finals on Day#2.

Just speculation but Wayne Pivac and Auckland’s decision to bypass Mount Maunganui the week before AND the slow start to the Nationals may have cost some of his players the chance of representing New Zealand.

Buxton Popoali’i – 2012 National Sevens Player of the Tournament

Filed under New Zealand 7s Events, New Zealand National Provincial 7s by Maru on January 11, 2012 at 2:10 am {no comments}

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 was awarded the player of the tournament at the 2012 National Sevens in Queenstown.

Popoali’i has a wicked sidestep and genuine top-end speed. His trickery, speed and vision led to many opportunities for Otago over the 2 days.

He showed great commitment on defense.
In the second half of the final, Popoali’i chased down both Tom Iosefo and Rocky Khan in separate breaks from the Aucklanders to keep Otago in contention.

He also showed the same commitment on attack.

Denied the try

and sacrificing himself in the process

Buxton Popoali'i, player of the tournament 2012 National Sevens

Just reward

The only issue here is that we will not get to see Buxton Popoali’i play at the 2012 New Zealand Sevens in Wellington.

Why are the best two players from the National Sevens not in the New Zealand team?

Filed under IRB Sevens Series, New Zealand, New Zealand 7s Events, New Zealand National Provincial 7s by Maru on January 11, 2012 at 2:09 am {no comments}

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 part of the New Zealand team in the IRB World Sevens Series this season.

Auckland’s Ben Lam was awesome in Queenstown. The young flanker has size, pace and a keen sense of where to be on the rugby field. His two tries in the final capped off a brilliant 2 days for this up and coming star. But he won’t be seen in a New Zealand Sevens jersey this year.

So why are these 2 great sevens players not going to be playing for New Zealand in 2012?

Because both men are in wider training squads of super rugby teams for 2012 and even though they are not members of the actual squad – and it’s just 4 years out from the Rio Olympics - Wider Training Squads Trump Sevens.

The New Zealand Rugby Union does make some concessions for big sevens tournaments - 4 fringe All Blacks were released to play in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

But in the wake of serious investment by both emerging rugby countries (USA, China) and those already at the top (England, South Africa) – this type of token gesture is not going to be enough to ensure New Zealand will have their best possible team at the 2016 Olympics.

What happened to Bay of Plenty at the 2012 Nationals?

Filed under New Zealand 7s Events, New Zealand National Provincial 7s by Maru on January 10, 2012 at 7:17 pm {no comments}

NZ sevens veteran, Toby Arnold

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 was very tough

Tasman were very physical and quick around the ruck. Shane Christie was dominant & James Lowe was a handful
Canterbury have improved considerably over the last 3 years. They made the semi-final this year after making the final of the Bay of Plenty Invitational last week. Captain Mark Jackman has a big impact & good top-end pace.
North Harbour had a strong team again this year with Nafi Tuitavake, Ken Pisi, Jack McPhee, Phil Tuigamala, Luke Hamilton and Codey Rei (ex-Taranaki 7s).

Bay of Plenty ended with 1 draw and 2 losses. The losing margins were 7 against Canterbury and 8 against North Harbour.

Secondly, BOP lost 5 key players from 2011

Three in the forwards and two playmakers left them ill-equipped to compete physically with the strong forward packs of Tasman and Counties-Manukau

and create enough chances

Ex-internationals Zar Lawrence and Nathaniel Walker brought experience but neither are at their peak any more.

Ex NZ Sevens player Zar Lawrence

NPC wing Lance MacDonald is a good sevens player and current international Toby Arnold is very good but the bottom line is that the Bay of Plenty seves team in 2012 was a far cry from the sides of 2010 and 2011.

Who wasn’t there for Bay of Plenty?

1. Solomon King

The current New Zealand Sevens international forward transferred to North Harbour last season (and did not play at the Nationals in Queenstown)

2. Scott Curry

Another current NZ international, Curry suffered an injury at the Dubai Sevens and did not play in South Africa.

3. Jason Hona

NPC wing Hona had a great tournament last year providing strength and pace to create opportunities. He played sevens for New Zealand in 2005 and remained a very good player.

4. Ruki Tipuna

The ex Bay of Plenty, Wellington and NZ Maori halfback is currently with Bristol in England. Tipuna was one of those players adept at sniping around the ruck. He was in the NZ sevens squad of 16 in 2009-2010 although he did not play in an IRB tournament.

5. Matt Hodson

Another playmaker with experience and pace. Hodson had been in Gordon Teitjens’ training squads in the past, he played for a New Zealand selection team at the 2010 Gold Coast Sevens and has played for the Penguins at the Singapore Sevens.

Take 5 international class players out of a starting seven and you can have a problem competing at the highest level.

National Sevens 2012 – Day one results

Filed under New Zealand 7s Events, New Zealand National Provincial 7s by Maru on January 9, 2012 at 10:47 pm {no comments}

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
Pool A	Hawkes Bay	14 – 14	Manawatu
Pool A	Auckland	50 – 7	Mid Canterbury
Pool B	Otago	29 – 12	Horowhenua Kapiti
Pool B	Taranaki	40 – 0	Southland
Pool D	North Harbour	24 – 21	Tasman
Pool D	Bay of Plenty	12 – 19	Canterbury
Pool C	Waikato	19 – 12	Northland
Pool C	Counties Manukau	12 – 29	Wellington
Pool A	Hawkes Bay	36 – 7	Mid Canterbury
Pool A	Auckland	7 – 24	Manawatu
Pool B	Horowhenua Kapiti	12 – 22	Southland
Pool B	Taranaki	33 – 12	Otago
Pool D	Canterbury	31 – 5	Tasman
Pool D	Bay of Plenty	21 – 29	North Harbour
Pool C	Wellington	24 – 19	Northland
Pool C	Counties Manukau	24 – 21	Waikato
Pool A	Manawatu	38 – 7	Mid Canterbury
Pool A	Auckland	24 – 19	Hawkes Bay
Pool B	Taranaki	43 – 0	Horowhenua Kapiti
Pool B	Otago	40 – 12	Southland

Day #2 Championship Quarter Finals

QF	Manawatu	v	Otago
QF	Canterbury	v	Wellington
QF	Waikato	v	North Harbour
QF	Taranaki	v	Auckland

Bay Invitational goes Upmarket

Filed under Bay of Plenty Provincial 7s, New Zealand 7s Events by Maru on January 4, 2012 at 1:10 am {no comments}

Sevens rugby is enjoying the highest popularity it has ever had. Rio Olympics, global participation, festival atmosphere and competitive matches for all levels.

Sevens is taking off and the momentum is not lost on those behind New Zealand’s domestic events.

The Bay of Plenty Invitational Sevens tournament occupies an opportune place in the sevens calendar coming 1 week before the national sevens in Queenstown.

It is the best competition for teams to prepare and the last opportunity for players to stake their claim before the Nationals.

Changes from 2011 include:

An electronic video scoreboard erected in one corner.

Sky TV’s Ken Laban was on the mike with New Zealand coach Gordon Teitjens.

There were teams from China

And there were interesting spectators … actually there are interesting spectators every year.

Plenty of big names at the Bay of Plenty Invitational Sevens

Filed under Bay of Plenty Provincial 7s, New Zealand 7s Events by Maru on January 3, 2012 at 7:20 pm {no comments}

The coaching staff is just as impressive as the playing lineups these days.

Scott Pierce (Shandong Province)
Waisiki Masirewa and Roger Randle (Waikato)
Peter Woods (North Island Invitational)
Erle Va’a and Alan Bunting (Wellington)
Ashley Drake (Horowhenua-Kapiti)

There were several current and recent internationals

Ben Souness (Taranaki)
Frank Halai (Waikato)
George Tilsley (Wellington)
Joe Webber (Waikato)
Leka Tuapola (Wellington)
Adam Vardy (Horowhenua-Kapiti & Cook ISlands)

Plenty of NPC regulars

Brett Goodin (Taranaki)
Ashee Tuala (Counties-Manukau)
Trent Renata (Waikato)
Lance MacDonald (Bay of Plenty)
Mark Jackman (Hawkes Bay, playing for Canterbury)
Casey Stone (Manawatu)
Ray Lee-lo (Counties-Manukau)
Richie Achong (Counties-Manukau)
Kaino Kaino (Counties-Manukau)

Nice to see Zar Lawrence back in the Bay

Filed under New Zealand 7s Events, New Zealand National Provincial 7s, Opinion by Maru on January 3, 2012 at 4:05 pm {no comments}

Zar Lawrence, Bay of Plenty

Ex New Zealand Sevens star Zar Lawrence was back at Blake Park, Mount Maunganui last weekend for the 2012 Bay of Plenty Invitational sevens tournament.

Lawrence was also back in Bay of Plenty colours after playing for Northland at the same event last year.

It was a double blow for the sevens veteran. First he was dropped by the Bay of Plenty NPC team and then he was left out of the New Zealand Sevens team for the 2010-2011 season after 6 years of service.

It was good to see Zar back in Bay of Plenty colours and back playing sevens. The Bay will need all of his experience if they are to win the nationals in Queenstown this weekend.

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