23 - 22

34 - 20

28 - 23

23 - 15

43 - 17

53 - 10

16 - 0

52 - 12

34 - 22

16 - 14

29 - 7

59 - 15

19 - 21

21 - 30

22 - 40

19 - 40

43 - 35

56 - 17

15 - 7

43 - 19

53 - 16

35 - 7

26 - 10

36 - 18

18 - 31

22 - 21

17 - 28

14 - 22

30 - 29

21 - 64

Sevens

Japan shock the world to win title over New Zealand and Australia

By Adam Julian

2 hours ago

Japan U18 Girls win the 2024 Global Youth 7s title at Dilworth School, Auckland.

Since its inception in 2016, the Global Youth Sevens has morphed into the biggest international age group tournament in the southern hemisphere.

The 2024 edition was held at Dilworth School in Auckland. Japan won the girls’ cup for the first time after a convincing 26-15 victory over Australia in the final. Australia won the men’s competition in resounding fashion defeating powerful composite outfit New Edition 31-7 in the final.

There were 23 female and 32 male teams competing from as far-flung as the USA and the UK. Many Indigenous, Pacific Island, and composite selections boosted numbers and added flavor.

Japan Shock the World

Determined, organised, and precise, Japan thoroughly deserved their surprise victory. In the cup final Japan humbled highly-fancied Australia 26-15.

A quick start had Australia reeling with two tries and two yellow cards conceded within four minutes. Sisters Satsuki and Hazuki Ouchida were a nightmare with their speed, skill and variations. Hazuki scored the first try and Satsuki grabbed the third hitting a gap like a Tokyo bullet train.

Tahlia O’Brien scored a much-needed 70m runaway for Australia to make it 12-5 at halftime. Damita Betham closed the gap to 12-10 early in the second half but there was no sign of panic from Japan. Clinical passing involving half the roster saw Satsuki Hazuki spear through like a javelin in a 40m burst.

Australia was guilty of overplaying their hand and when an error occurred, they were outflanked by Satsauji Ouchida.

Japan made an equally rapid start in their semi-final against New Zealand. Japan soared highest at the kickoff, tapping the ball onto their side and hitting a hole after 19 seconds. Leilani Naiyaga ran it in from 40m.

Japan’s defense was intense and their industry at the ruck was swift and muscular. Japan won two penalties against New Zealand for holding on and Naiyaga flashed through to double the score.

When Hazuki Ouchida slipped a tackle to rush clear, New Zealand was in disarray down three converted tries.

Braxton Sorensen-McGee was a talisman for New Zealand all weekend and she created a try for Louise Blyde and then scored one herself that was created by captain Maia Davis.

All three of those players have appeared in the FPC. Sorensen-McGee helped Auckland win a Premiership title in 2023, Davis was captain of the Mankura First XV that won the National Top Four and featured for FPC championship winners Manawatu. Louise Blyde is the cousin of Michaela Blyde. The New Plymouth Girls High School student has had two seasons with Taranaki.

Down 21-14 at halftime, a try-saving tackle by Blyde threatened to derail Japan. Otago FPC player Charlotte Va’afusuaga scored at the opposite end. Sorensen-McGee hit the post with her conversion attempt.

There was more panic in New Zealand’s play though. Too comfortable at home? Unthreatened previously? Two penalties allowed Japan past halfway and when Shiori Okyudo busted past tired defense it was all over.

Japan didn’t concede a point in their first four games disposing of Cook Islands 31-0, Tainui Waka 46-0 and Samoa Sports Club 31-0 in pool play before overwhelming Belmont Shore (USA) 40-0 in the last 16. In the quarter final Japan beat Rugby Vault 33-12.

Japan had a management staff of seven headed by former international and Academy director Keiko Asami. Japan has a women’s professional circuit called the Taiyo Seimei Women’s Sevens Series.

Marin Kajiki, Rinka Matsuda and Wakaba Hara attended the Olympics in sevens for Japan from this tournament.

Australia looked polished earlier in the tournament, though they required four tries by Amelia Whitaker in their quarterfinal to foil the stubborn New Zealand Cavaliers 34-19.

En route to the final, Australia beat BC Bears 55-0, Rugby Vault 39-5, New Zealand Barbarians 39-0, Egg Chasers 68-0, New Zealand Cavaliers 34-19, and Central Storm 38-14.

New Zealand was third bouncing back from their semi-final defeat to outrun Central Storm 37-10. Asha Taumoepeau-Williams from Condor Sevens champions Howick College scored two tries.

New Zealand’s path to the semis included victories over Brothers 35-0, New Zealand Cavaliers 34-12, Jasper Williams High School 27-12 & 53-0 and Australia Schools 46-0.

Girls’ Cup quarter-finals

Australia: 34 v New Zealand Cavaliers: 19

Central Storm: 29 v New Zealand Fijians: 0

Japan: 33 v Rugby Vault: 12

New Zealand: 46 v Australia School Girls: 0

Semi-finals

Australia: 38 v Central Storm: 14

Japan: 28 v New Zealand: 19

Finals

3 v 4: New Zealand: 37 v Central Storm: 10

1 v 2: Japan: 26 v Australia: 15

Girls Tournament Team

Umi Kikawa (Japan)
Leilani Naiyaga (Japan)
Braxton Sorensen-McGee (New Zealand)
Rhani Hagen (Australia)
Amelia Whitaker (Australia)
Litia Bulicakau (Central Storm)
Hazuki Ouchida (Japan) – MVP

Rugby’s best of the best, ranked by experts. Check out our list of the Top 100 Men's Rugby Players and let us know what you think!

LIVE

Comments

0 Comments

Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Latest Features

LONG READ

Barrett and Prendergast put Leinster European rivals on notice

Jordie Barrett and RG Snyman give Leinster two new weapons in their teeming arsenal, but young guns are also hitting the mark.

LONG READ

‘The problem with this year’s Champions Cup? Too many English clubs’

The current strength of the Premiership does not warrant eight of its 10 clubs being involved in Europe's elite tournament.

LONG READ

Top 100: Why do the best players come from the best teams?

The Top 100 is unsurprisingly rammed with players from the top teams but could players in less fancied teams prosper up the food chain?

Comments on RugbyPass

JW 32 minutes ago

'It doesn’t make sense for New Zealand to deny itself access to world-class players'

Because that's the policy. They have banked on him, invested in him, it's very hard for them to turn around and throw that away. Similar scenario to McDonald feeling pressure to select him imo. I'm part of the reason they see value in keeping him, that doesn't mean I can't see the wood for the trees.

139 Go to comments

JW 36 minutes ago

'It doesn’t make sense for New Zealand to deny itself access to world-class players'

You have bolded the 'were nowhere near it' part. That is not true, we could be very near not holding onto the vast majority.

So this is a question I've asked in the past as well, do you want to plan it properly, or be needing to make a knee jerk reaction when the above scenario happens (given nothing happens to turn things around)?

139 Go to comments

JW 44 minutes ago

'It doesn’t make sense for New Zealand to deny itself access to world-class players'

He's adaptable for sure, but at AB level I just don't think big enough to withstand the sort of contests winning three RWC games in a row is going to require. Were as he can certainly turn himself into a flyhalf that can get the team through those 3+ games.

Yeah just watching the game now, his skills especially with those long balls are superb. Can he throw off his left just as well? He's certainly not at the level I was just talking about yet, just simple things like when he looked up with Moala on him and dropped the ball. Still too many of those moments but they're no reason not to give him gametime now for being right in 2027. More good league style play as well just threatens the D a bit more in which is so necessary in todays climate.

I don't think JD was in anyway demeaning Sam's ability was he?

139 Go to comments

JW 57 minutes ago

'It doesn’t make sense for New Zealand to deny itself access to world-class players'

That's due to numerous reasons, they could (players) demand monitization share of national duties too if they wanted to imo, they just don't need to. That's euro yea, sounds like it would be a little above what ABs get (perhaps more of a drop off after that), what do you reckon Jordie would be getting for his 3/4 season? Some private/3rd party funding huh.

139 Go to comments

JD Kiwi 1 hour ago

'It doesn’t make sense for New Zealand to deny itself access to world-class players'

That first sentence is exactly my point.

The Anglo Welsh cup is long gone but in any case, the reason why England doesn't pick from overseas isn't because their players play in the European comps. They'd still play in those if they played for French clubs. It's because they want to access to their players and don't want to weaken their domestic comp.

139 Go to comments

JD Kiwi 1 hour ago

'It doesn’t make sense for New Zealand to deny itself access to world-class players'

You can criticise the Blues all you like but every single coach and board at national and Super level that he's been connected to has picked or paid him even if you don't rate him.

The Blues were transformed this year because of Vern Cotter, not Harry Plummer.

139 Go to comments

OJohn 1 hour ago

Will overseas selection make the difference for British and Irish Lions?

Both

84 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

It's time for the All Blacks to break up Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane

The human body doesn't really work that way GP but lets hope he gets really lucky and the body parts that aren't worn thin by injury already don't get a lot of chance impacts, because certainly there are other aspects where you could see his distinct lack of rugby over the years allowing him to contribute for longer.

Personally I think he is going to have to pick up an overseas contract soon. Jacobson is going to have to play in his position of openside next year with Sititi taking his 8 spot, and with Finau on the other flank I can only think this is going to make Jacobsen look extremely good and an automatic AB inclusion given given his cohesion with Vaa'i and Lord as well (though he may also decide to leave if back up isn't doing it for him). Then there are a number of young players who are 7/6 dual flankers like him that it's just very doubtful he doesn't get overtaken. He's going to have some tough competition at the Crusaders alone, Cristie, Kellow, Lio-Willie, Cullen, the other young 6, some pretty good depth.

Oh, and Hotham played behind Christie and both the XV and Tasman level, so you clearly just can't handle the Chiefs being a better team than the Crusaders.

79 Go to comments

JD Kiwi 1 hour ago

'It doesn’t make sense for New Zealand to deny itself access to world-class players'

I've no idea what point you're trying to make. The only All Black 10 who's lost to England in the last ten years hasn't played a test all season.

You'll need to give a reference for that Robinson quote, I've not heard him say anything of the sort.

139 Go to comments

Ardy 1 hour ago

Australia cap off golden year in youth boys rugby with world title

Why no team list? Be interesting to see if any of them continue into senior rugby.

1 Go to comments

JD Kiwi 1 hour ago

'Razor's conservatism is in danger of halting New Zealand's progress'

Whatever you think about Sititi's performance against Argentina and whether those important penalties he gave away were just bad luck, Razor could easily have been conservative and selected someone more experienced against South Africa like Jacobson or Finau. That's after he selected the players.

262 Go to comments

JD Kiwi 1 hour ago

'Razor's conservatism is in danger of halting New Zealand's progress'

Or perhaps he didn't get much game time because he wasn't playing or training as well as Slater. Second guessing Clayton is pure speculation.

262 Go to comments

RedWarrior 2 hours ago

Toulouse player ratings vs Exeter Chiefs | Investec Champions Cup

Just a lot of errors..it will come together.... Clermont are a decent team, 3rd in top14. Only able to score 8 against Leinster. Didn't get close to anothers core. Barrett out of position. La Rochelle in January will be the first big test.

They are still building and and have still a 100% record

3 Go to comments

JW 3 hours ago

'Razor's conservatism is in danger of halting New Zealand's progress'

Haha yeah I know, sorry I just cbf doing anything other than sprouting the garbage that comes in. You either follow the train of thought or don't most the time, that's why I like you, happy to not take it serious like, and reply regardless.

Haha more imaginary rational. You mean in 2018 and 19 he used 36 new players?

more = you're following in Saders footsteps (here I go again assuming you know what I'll mean haha)

imaginary = fictitious world cups (no WC in 2018)

by "months before" you mean 2018/19? = because you wrote 2018 i'm assuming that's because your brain was thinking about that year when he used most of those 36 players

36 new players = because it's absolutely impossible to use 36 new players in the handful of games you get, or "months", before a WC

Doesn't really sound like good coaching and reinforces other theories. Wouldn't spread that.

Doesn't really sound like good coaching = that is waay to many players no matter what way you spin it, or what period. Where did you even get the data for that from?

reinforces other theories = no need to go into them here but it definitely suggests a case of being lucky to win despite the fact (if true) imo

Wouldn't spread that = cheekyness about above point

So yeah, you can see why I don't try to elaberate my posts so everyone can understand and sadly theyre too succinct for some with a slightly different lingo or thought.

and two years of >85% win ratio on the trot - I’d love to see how he’d have down with better coaching.

the none TLDR version reply..

two years = but weren't you following the similar line of this article that Razor needs to open it up? Why would you think that when you're suggesting he's got another 3 or 4 years before he reaches that point in tenure when he should also be trying to hit the 85 mark?

>85% win ratio on the trot = WC years are short and provide easy opposition, you don't normally include them. 22 would be more relevant, and this year you had both other top teams at home, so you'd think that 85 number is overs, or 'above' average based on circumstances (85 is a really fabulous number however so going back to 80 would also still be great)

love to see how he’d have done with better coaching. = well it's exactly the opposite of above isn't it, it's operating at well over 70 for 4 (excl covid) of those 7 years instead of his 60%, before hitting the 80s mark.

You might also ask well how could that be possible when he's done so bloody well just to do what he's done? Well I'm not going to take him (or SA) down a beg or two, instead I'll give you the hint (because I'm over thinking how to type long versions of replys), the answer is in this article!

Can you think of any specific players that became instrumental to the team from those 36 new players? One's plucked out of nowhere so to speak? I know for the first two years after covid he switched up you're team and tactics after each game against NZ (for the second), I think winning both 1st games and losing both rematch's? You don't think he should ever have done that differently, not been so happy to give up a victory against the ABs?

262 Go to comments

JPM 3 hours ago

Toulouse player ratings vs Exeter Chiefs | Investec Champions Cup

Leinster didn’t seem so great vs Clermont…

3 Go to comments

AlanP 4 hours ago

‘The problem with this year’s Champions Cup? Too many English clubs’

Having the same number of prem teams than URC and top14 teams is unfair.

6 teams from top 14, 6 from URC and 4 from prem. Then we have 4 pools of 4. We play home and away games, top 2 qualify to quarter finals, semis, finals, champion!

Simple, beautiful!

11 Go to comments

RedWarrior 4 hours ago