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All Blacks Sevens wary of ‘challenging pool’ in London

(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

The All Blacks Sevens clinched their 14th World Series crown in Toulouse last weekend, but the season isn’t over just yet.

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There’s still one more event to play on this season’s circuit – at one of the most famous stadiums in international rugby, nonetheless.

Ahead of the final World Series leg at the esteemed London Sevens at Twickenham, the All Blacks Sevens have confirmed the sole change to their squad.

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Moses Leo has been ruled out of the tournament with a back injury, and has been replaced by rising star Xavier Tito-Harris.

While it’s not a change to the playing squad, there has been a notable change to the coaching staff.

Head coach Clark Laidlaw has joined the New Zealand Under-20s team, so All Blacks Sevens assistant coach Tomasi Cama will take up the top job this weekend.

Cama, who is an All Blacks Sevens legend, said the team is focused on “finishing on a high in London.”

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“It has been pleasing to achieve our goal we set at the start of the season, to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics and to win the World Series,” Cama said.

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“It is reward for the work that a lot of our people do behind the scenes to allow us to be consistent through the year after a slow start to the season.

“We know it will be no easy task this weekend with a challenging pool, but we are looking to finishing on a high here in London.”

The All Blacks Sevens have won five Cup finals this season, including an incredible golden-point over World Series heavyweights Argentina in Toulouse.

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But the focus is now on the event at Twickenham, and New Zealand will have to overcome the pool of death if they want to clinch their sixth title of the campaign.

New Zealand will play the United States at 10.29pm NZST on Saturday, before facing Great Britain and rivals South Africa early on Sunday morning.

All Blacks Sevens squad for London

Scott Curry

Brady Rush

Akuila Rokolisoa

Dylan Collier (vc)

Sam Dickson (c)

Leroy Carter

Che Clark

Tepaea Cook-Savage

Sione Molia (vc)

Tim Mikkelson

Xavier Tito-Harris

Roderick Solo

Regan Ware

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SK 10 hours ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Set pieces are important and the way teams use them is a great indication of how they play the game. No team is showcasing their revolution more than the Springboks. This year they have mauled less and primarily in the attacking third. Otherwise they have tended to set like they are going to maul and then play around the corner or shove the ball out the back. They arent also hitting the crash ball carrier constantly but instead they are choosing to use their width or a big carrying forward in wider areas. While their maul is varied the scrum is still a blunt instrument winning penalties before the backs have a go. Some teams have chosen to blunt their set piece game for more control. The All Blacks are kicking more penalties and are using their powerful scrum as an attacking tool choosing that set piece as an attacking weapon. Their willingness to maul more and in different positions is also becoming more prominent. The French continue to play conservative rugby off the set piece using their big bruisers frequently. The set piece is used differently by different teams. Different teams play different ways and can be successful regardless. They can win games with little territory and possession or smash teams with plenty of both. The game of rugby is for all types and sizes and thats true in the modern era. I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation. Some administrators are of the opinion that rugby is too slow and needs to be sped up. Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby. Create a game that favour both and challenge teams to execute their plans. If World Rugby can create a game like that then it will be the ultimate winner.

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