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New Zealand teams named for Sevens Rugby World Cup

The All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens squads to defend New Zealand’s double titles at the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, USA, have been named today.

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Both teams travel to USA this weekend as defending World Cup champions with a high-stakes new knock-out format effectively equalising the playing field for the 24 countries in the men’s tournament, and 16 national unions in the women’s field.

In naming the squads at the new home of New Zealand sevens high performance – Mt Maunganui – New Zealand Rugby’s Chief Rugby Officer Nigel Cass said excitement was growing as the tournament approached.

“The All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens captured the nation’s attention with stunning gold medal wins at the Commonwealth Games and we look forward to seeing their performances in San Francisco.

“Rugby is growing as a global sport, and to play a World Cup tournament in San Francisco opens up a whole new audience, so we know there will be a lot of interest in this tournament.

“We wish the teams, and coaches Clark Laidlaw and Allan Bunting, the very best of luck for their campaigns, and we look forward to them doing us proud and continuing to inspire the next generation of sevens stars,” said Cass.

The All Blacks Sevens team is;

Kurt BakerManawatu
Dylan CollierWaikato
Scott Curry – captainBay of Plenty
Trael JoassTasman
Andrew KnewstubbHorowhenua Kapiti
Jona NarekiOtago
Tim Mikkelson – captainWaikato
Sione MoliaCounties Manukau
Salesi RayasiAuckland
Joe RavouvouAuckland
Akuila RokolisoaAuckland
Regan WareBay of Plenty

Unavailable due to injury: Joe Webber, Amanaki Nicole, Sam Dickson, Etene Nanai-Seturo and Ngarohi McGarvey-Black.

All Blacks Sevens coach Clark Laidlaw said the unique nature of the knock out competition contributed to it being a difficult squad to select.

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“Getting the balance of the squad right was the main thing. It’s a different tournament in that its four games instead of six and we can only take 12 players, so we were looking to have flexibility in the 12 in terms of the positions they cover.

“No team has ever won back to back World Cup titles since it’s started so we have certainly talked about that and about being the first team to change that. We know there are massive challenges to come, all the teams will be really well prepared,” said Laidlaw.

The All Blacks Sevens will play the winner of Russia v Hong Kong in their first match on Saturday 21 July (kick off 3.31pm NZT)

The Black Ferns Sevens team is;

Shakira BakerWaikato
Michaela BlydeBay of Plenty
Kelly BrazierBay of Plenty
Gayle BroughtonBay of Plenty
Theresa FitzpatrickAuckland
Sarah Goss – captainManawatu
Tyla Nathan-WongAuckland
Ruby TuiBay of Plenty
Stacey WaakaWaikato
Niall WilliamsAuckland
Tenika WillisonWaikato
Portia WoodmanCounties Manukau

Black Ferns Sevens coach Allan Bunting said this was the most challenging squad he has ever had to name.

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“It was definitely hard but that’s exactly where we want to be. In our trials there was so much motivation, excitement and skill set; we know we have selected the right team.

“We have had a good year, but this group is strict on themselves, we think we have room to improve and those last bits we need to get right are the toughest.

“Our players are incredibly motivated, playing in an amazing stadium and having the chance to leave mana there, to inspire other women, this is another great opportunity for our team,” said Bunting.

The Black Ferns Sevens face Mexico in their opening match of the World Cup on Friday 20 July.

In other news:

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B
BeamMeUp 3 hours ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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