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New Zealand's latest 21-year-old Sevens star on the rise after 10 tries in two weeks

29 Jan 2023

(Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)

The All Blacks Sevens completed a men’s final victory over the Blitzboks in Sydney with a resounding 38-0 win, claiming the Sydney leg for a fifth time in tournament history.

The gold medal finish went one further than last week’s Hamilton series where the All Blacks Sevens were trumped 14-12 in the final by Argentina and was the first series win over the 2023 circuit.

A breakout star of both tournaments has been 21-year-old Roderick Solo who has scored 10 tries over the two series showing blistering speed and bamboozling footwork on the edge.

After debuting in 2022, Solo is fast becoming a key threat for the All Blacks Sevens after showing his game-breaking ability in the last two finals.

In Sydney despite nursing an ankle injury, Solo scored the first try in the final against South Africa with a sharp cutback that had a Blitzboks defender stumbling to the ground.

Roderick Solo dejó pintado al último defensor sudafricano y así abrió el camino a la gran goleada de Nueva Zelanda en la final de #Sydney7s. 💫#HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/NSl1lnYpCl
— World Rugby ES (@WorldRugby_ES) January 29, 2023

In the Cup quarter-final in a hard fought 12-0 win over Samoa it was Solo’s speed that opened the scoring with searing pace down the right sideline.

Roderick Solo turns on the pace! ⚡️@nz_sevens advance to the semi-finals 💪#Sydney7s | #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/cSRXUzdMTB
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) January 28, 2023

In Hamilton his impressive break against Argentina in the Hamilton final set up the All Blacks Sevens’ first try, a length of the field effort which saw Solo step his way past multiple defenders before linking with star Akuila Rokolisoa.

Solo grabbed the second as the All Blacks Sevens gave him a one-on-one match-up down the right hand touchline.

Argentina fought back from 12-0 down to take the lead 14-12 but it was Solo again who nearly helped New Zealand win on the last play of the game.

His grubber kick in field was jumped on by Brady Rush in the in-goal but a knock-on during the put down prevented the All Blacks from taking gold.

Safe to say, @nz_sevens brought their dancing shoes to this final!
Roderick Solo and Akuila Rokolisoa take a bow!#NZ7s | #HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/9Xhfivl6RR
— World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) January 22, 2023

Solo is just one of many young talents breaking through on the Sevens scene for New Zealand including Black Ferns Jorja Millar, who is still just 18, and Jazmin Felix-Hotham while Payton Spencer made his debut over the Sydney series.

Congrats to the Black Ferns 7s & All Blacks 7s! What a great weekend of sevens with both our @nz_sevens teams winning in Sydney!
Awesome young talent coming through, particularly Jorja Miller, Jazmin Hotham, Roderick Solo & Payton Spencer. Esp Miller & Solo have been revelations!
— C_NZ_ (@C_NZ_) January 29, 2023

Roderick Solo 🔥🔥🔥
— Tino Junior Poluleuligaga (@JIP2EZY) January 22, 2023

Too Good NZ7s. Payton Spencer doesn't look out of his depth!! Roderick Solo continues to be a stud!! #HSBCWorld7sSeries
— Hollice Palelei (@HollicePalelei) January 29, 2023

Roderick Solo is a machine 🔥🔥🔥
— Buzz (@ManqinaEskova) January 29, 2023

At #Sydney7s , If the All Blacks are looking for their next superstar winger then Roderick Solo is him, what a player🇳🇿
— AdamStr (@ajstr17) January 27, 2023

New Zealand claimed the double in the men’s and women’s in Sydney and both teams are the series leaders after five rounds in the men’s and four rounds in the women’s.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 7 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 7 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 7 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 7 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 8 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 8 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 8 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍