Comments for AtTheSevens.com

Comment on Why aren’t there more Auckland players in the New Zealand Sevens squad? by Maru

Maru — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:23:58 +0000

Thanks for that Stepper. I’ve updated the article.

The Auckland back line have electric pace. Malakai Fekitoa and Tom Iosefo are very dangerous from anywhere on the field.

I think there are 3 things could sustain Auckland’s sevens dominance
1. If the development of young talent continues like it has done (high schools, academy, Pacific Islands scouting);
2. They stick with that talent regardless of whether the guys are aligned with NZ or not
[at Super Rugby level Pacific Island players require a kind of dispensation];
3. Players continue to gain international exposure at overseas sevens competitions like those in Australia, Singapore and England.

A 3-peat is definitely on the cards!

Comment on Why aren’t there more Auckland players in the New Zealand Sevens squad? by Stepper

Stepper — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 06:14:00 +0000

Tenina Sauileoge is also from Samoa, so isn’t available for selection either. I thought he was pretty sharp, he was in the Auckland team last season as well but didn’t get much game-time. He was the player of the tournament at the Paradise 7s in November with Auckland, so he’s got a bit of game.

One thing I like about the last two years with Auckland, is just the speed in all the backline positions; even the backline bench players have speed. Pivac has a good knack of selecting players and making it work. Last year, the Auckland backline was quite small, but they just had so much speed, it made up for their lack of strength. These players will probably be around next year as well, so I’m seeing a 3peat.

Comment on Who has the easiest draw at the 2012 National Sevens in Queenstown? by Maru

Maru — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 03:29:20 +0000

I’ll pass that on to Clark & let you know what he says

Comment on Who has the easiest draw at the 2012 National Sevens in Queenstown? by Grace Hutton

Grace Hutton — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 23:56:17 +0000

very disappointing that the official website for the Queenstown Sevens, http://www..nz7.co.nz doesn’t include the draw or the results from yesterdays games. Come on O.R.F.U and NZRFU and Sevens with Altitude Chairman, Clark Frew – use the technology

Comment on 2012 Bay of Plenty Provincial Sevens full results by Maru

Maru — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:19:22 +0000

Thanx for that. Amended above

Comment on 2012 Bay of Plenty Provincial Sevens full results by david

david — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:20:51 +0000

Plate final was won by N Island Invitational, not Bay Inv

Comment on New Zealand bounce back to win in South Africa by Port Elizabeth 12 December

Port Elizabeth 12 December — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:09:12 +0000

[...] New Zealand bounce back to win in South Africa The winning margin was just 3 points last weekend and it was just one try that separated the teams in Port Elizabeth this week with Tim Mikkleson breaking the deadlock with 1 minute to play. The 3 tournaments this season have thrown up 3 … http://atthesevens.com/ — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 11:35:59 -0800 [...]

Comment on Will William Ryder be back for Fiji? by Maru

Maru — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:42:26 +0000

I’m unsure where William Ryder is.
I last saw him play at the Las Vegas Sevens in early 2009.
He was not a starter at that time and I think he was dropped from the side by then-coach Tanivula.
There was talk of a mystery illness. Then it looked like he was coming back about a year ago but I haven’t heard anything since then.
The current coaching/management regime have gone back to experienced players (Vucago, Tuwai, Kolinisau) and it has proved very successful. Ryder is the other high profile player missing from the side that won the NZ Sevens in 2009.

Comment on Will William Ryder be back for Fiji? by Jason

Jason — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:34:56 +0000

So… really. Where is Ryder and why isnt he on the Fiji team??

Comment on 3 Reasons why I’m happy for Ben Ryan by Port Elizabeth 5 December

Port Elizabeth 5 December — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 06:22:31 +0000

[...] Why I'm happy for Ben Ryan … that beats New Zealand and Fiji on their way to a final has got something serious going for them. Now I'm hoping Gordon Teitjens can produce a phoenix effort and steer New Zealand back to winning ways in Port Elizabeth this weekend. … http://atthesevens.com/ — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 15:24:43 -0800 [...]