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Fiji sevens dominate end of season awards

Meli Derenalagi celebrates scoring a try during the Cup semi final between Fiji and England on day two of the HSBC Rugby Sevens Singapore at the National Stadium. (Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images for Singapore Sports Hub)

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series came to its conclusion on Sunday, with Fiji crowned champions thanks to their Cup win over New Zealand in Paris, a result which saw them just pip rivals the USA to top spot overall.

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The two nations have gone back and forth all season and Fiji held just a two-point advantage over the USA heading into Paris, with a highly-anticipated semi-final match-up between the two, that Fiji won 33-17, deciding the outcome of the whole Series.

The annual award ceremony of the Series was held following the end of the Paris leg and, unsurprisingly, Fiji were one of the big winners from the night.

Meli Derenalagi won the Rookie of the Year award, whilst Vilimoni Botitu, who was also in contention for the Rookie of the Year gong, picked up the DHL Impact Player, with his Series-leading 356 points coming via 124 tackles, 24 breaks, 49 offloads and 159 carries. Both youngsters promise a bright future for Fiji sevens.

Derenalagi and Botitu both also made the HSBC Dream Team, alongside Fijian teammates Jerry Tuwai and Aminiasi Tuimaba.

The other three spots on the team were taken by US stars Folau Niua, Stephen Tomasin and Ben Pinkelman, with the USA also featuring prominently among the awards.

Head coach Mike Friday picked up the Capgemini Coach of the Series award, whilst Danny Barrett was given the UL Mark of Excellence for his athletic display against New Zealand in the Cape Town leg of the Series last year. Speedster wing Carlin Isles finished as the Gilbert Top Try Scorer, having crossed the whitewash 52 times during the Series, something which saw him successfully defend the trophy, having picked it up last season as well.

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The other two awards of the night saw France pick up the Fair Play award and Pol Pla and Spain deservedly wrap up the TAG Heuer Don’t Crack Under Pressure award for their outstanding display to beat New Zealand in the Vancouver leg of the Series earlier this year.

Watch: Fiji have turned down an offer from China for sevens coaches

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith' Mick Cleary: 'Borthwick needs to have faith in Marcus Smith'
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