Australia’s men’s side have lost the opening match of the Cape Town leg of the Rugby Seven World Series but the women got off to a flying start.
John Manenti’s side thumped England 32-0 with Ellia Green and Madison Ashby running four of the team’s six tries in an outstanding performance by the Olympic champions.
But the men went down to a shock 26-21 defeat to Ireland in a thrilling encounter that saw Tom Pincus score two tries and Harry Hutchison add a third.
However, a last-minute breakaway try by Terry Kennedy sealed a dramatic win for a side that had put been beaten by 45 points by Australia last week in Dubai.
The women will face Ireland on Saturday in their second match with the men taking on Kenya.
Elsewhere in the men’s event, England and Samoa, semi-finalists last week in Dubai, lost their opening matches.
England fell to Scotland 26-24 with Samoa defeated by Kenya 24-19.
South Africa, the winner of the first leg of the series in Dubai last weekend, blew away Japan 49-0.
Fiji, even down to five men, was too good for the United States 28-14, and New Zealand romped past Wales 43-7.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep both Jonah & Cullen were called back into the fold, back in the day, as there is one thing Seven's does do, apart from it's better fitness, is the fine tuning of basics.
Ex force fan
Guest
Yes there has been a few - Jona also comes to mind and the Blitzboks have Kwagga, Ruan Nel, Sanatla although none of these were rally stars in 15s. Players like RG Snyman and Lood de Jager however.... are made for 15s and only 15s
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yeh mate that has happened in Aussie mostly in the transition of players, but the likes of Fiji, NZ, South Africa, plus a few other nations, it has happened. Just like SBW being included in the last Olympic team for NZ. Yes, he didn't really measure up, as he himself at the time admitted it was the hardest training he had ever been part of, at any sport he had been associated with. We have seen the likes of Seabello Senatla returning to the Bokke team from 15's, as he himself has the fastest 200 tries ever scored in the Seven's game. Yep there has been a few, as even now, the AB;s Ioane Bros are thinking of going back to the game for the Olympics.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well finally something about Seven's!! After all, it's one of the most popular global games, that is contained to just the one venue, in the country, on the "World Series' circuit, Apart from being an Olympic Sport, at which the Australian women are the current title holders. The recently completed tournament in Cape Town. was a great tournament for NZ, winning both men's & women's titles. Like beating the Blitzbokke in a closely contested final, was something I myself didn't expect (7 -5 ) considering the depth of the Bokke side at this stage. With the return of Seabello Senatla from 15's. & the talk of Kwagga Smith & Cheslin Kolbe, yet to come, there squad will be the ones to beat. The NZ women, will also be a lot more powerful when the up to a half a dozen of their stars return. It was shown that they do miss the likes of Woodman. Blyde, Baker, Cocksedge & their usual captain. A good season coming up, on it's way to the Olympics, apart from things not looking to good for the premier World Series event in Hong Kong.
Ex force fan
Guest
I stayed up till late (or was it early) to watch the CT final yesterday and it was a great tournament. I agree with Bobby that have seen only a couple of players making the transition from 7s to 15s but not many successes in transitioning back from 15s to 7s. It is a different game at the moment but I see the gap as closing. The way the high tackle laws are applied since the RWC19, has changed the perception on small, skilled and fast players (e.g. Kolbe or Specman) that is now are again seen as an asset instead of a defensive liability . The are are very difficult to tackle (legally) and are surprisingly effective in defence. There is not need to add a couple kilos of muscle now that only slows them down just to play 15s, this should make it easier to return to 7s again. Rugby has always claimed to be a game played by all body shapes and sizes and I am glad that the small skilful player is back.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
"probably at high cost" When have we ever paid a lot of money for 7s players? Thats exactly why all the good players get lost to 15s, because we don't pay much for 7s. As for McMahon being selected in front of some young bloke. McMahon himself was in the squad at 18. Should we invest in an 18 year old version, who is going to leave to XV's when he gets the chance, or invest in bringing a proven option back up to speed to be ready for the Olympics?
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Haha. I only watch it if a repeat of Happy Days isn't playing
Daveski 2.0
Roar Rookie
What I don’t get is you don’t like it. You self confess you don’t watch it. Yet you comment. Even though you’ve basically admitted you’re the least qualified person in the world to do so. Weird.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
I think 7’s is too specialised now and the days of people swapping back and forwards is over. I can still see a 7’s player crossing over to 15’s if they are prepared to take time and learn but I can’t see many 15’s crossing to 7’s and being successful
Bobby
Roar Rookie
What a joke Sevens is. We inject McMahon for limited minutes, Prob ably at a high cost, and no result. As much as I like Sean in 15's, it's a joke he has been selected in front of some young bloke. No wonder I don't watch this hybrid form of touch football.