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SVNS star Bienne Terita shines bright during Australia’s perfect start

Bienne Terita of Australia runs the ball during the 2024 Perth SVNS men's/women's match between and at HBF Park on January 26, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)

It only took Australian sevens youngster Bienne Terita about 30 seconds to score against South Africa at Perth’s HBF Park on Friday afternoon. Blink and you would’ve missed it.

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Right off the kick-off, and with the pressure of the Aussies’ home crowd watching on, the Dubai and Cape Town SVNS champions spread the ball wide left for their 20-year-old winger.

With a couple of right-hand fends, the speedster was off. Terita ran about 60 metres to the house for the opening score of the contest – and the Aussies never looked back.

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Jorja Miller talks to RugbyPass after the Black Ferns beat Japan | Perth SVNS

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Jorja Miller talks to RugbyPass after the Black Ferns beat Japan | Perth SVNS

It was the perfect start for the hometown favourites. That score set the tone for the utterly emphatic 31-nil victory over the newly-promoted South African side.

“It’s pretty cool to play in front of a home crowd in front of friends and family,” Terita told reporters.

“We knew that we needed the right start for the rest of the tournament so really good to get the win in the first game.”

There’s no denying that Terita, who was once described as “world-class” after starring on international duty with the Wallaroos, has superstar potential.

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With Maddison Levi missing the first three games in Perth after being red carded in the Cape Town SVNS final last month, Terita has stepped up in the absence of arguably the world’s best player on current form.

“Maddy Levi is pretty big shoes to fill,” Levi said.

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“The girls have made my job pretty easy and I feel like I’ve slipped in quite seamlessly.

“I’m a winger so probably just my repeat efforts,” she added when asked about what she wants to improve. “You see Maddy Levi do it all the time with 80-metre tris, one after the other.”

12 months ago at the Sydney Sevens, Australia fell short of expectations with a quarter-final exit against France. It was a shock to all, and their arch-rivals New Zealand made the most of it.

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The Black Ferns Sevens marched on to Cup final glory at Allianz Stadium. But, finally, Australia have their chance at redemption.

“There definitely is pressure, I think we saw that last year at the Sydney Sevens.

“This tournament we’ve been trying to stay focused on the performance bubble… sticking to our core group of girls, everyone that’s helped along the way to get us here today.

“Just trying to block is all out and stay focused on our job.”

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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 England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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