Lock into some high-quality international rugby this weekend as the Australian men’s and women’s teams continue their buildup to the Commonwealth Games at the Oceania Super Sevens in New Zealand.
Running from Friday through Sunday and including New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga, the tournament will be on Stan Sport.
For the rugby supporter, especially the 15s enthusiasts who may not have really got into the Sevens games, this is a perfect opportunity.
It is quite a different game, but the skills are outstanding with Australia having a few stars worth checking out.
Hopefully we will see more sevens players such as Dylan Pietsch and Tim Anstee transition to the 15s game.
Obviously we do not know how the teams will approach this tournament. Australia, New Zealand and Fiji are some of the big dogs of the World Rugby World Series. A question is whether they will hold a few things back or test some different combinations.
It would not be unusual for the coaches to keep a few things up their sleeves for the Commonwealth Games and the World Cup later in the year. However, at the same time, players will be trying to impress to be selected to represent their countries at the Commonwealth Games.
For those who have not watched much sevens the following are some stats Tim Walsh provided on The Rugby Coach’s Corner podcast last year.
– 65-70% of their training is around the unstructured part of the game.
– From 10 penalty taps, usually seven will be quick taps, three will be structured set plays. The quick taps are an important part but not a major part.
– There are approximately 21 rucks in a game, there are around eight restarts from six tries, game kick off and half time kick off, 2.6 scrums and 2.1 lineouts.
– So restarts are a critical part of the game.
– Minimal focus on set piece in sevens compared to 15s.
– The ability to transition from structured to unstructured in defence and attack is critical and where you can make a difference.
So who are some players to look out for? (Noting the squads have yet to be announced).
Aussie men
Nic Malouf – As captain he provides the necessary leadership and calmness on the field. When in doubt or when there is nothing on, he trucks the ball up, and settles everything down.
Corey Toole – A youngster with real speed to burn. In sevens you cannot overstate the value of pure speed. (Also he is part of the Brumbies academy).
Dietrich Roache – Out of the Western Sydney Two Blues, 20 years old, debuted at the Olympics, has all the skills plus has the responsibility as the team’s kicker.
Henry Patterson – Scored three tries in the London final, seriously under rated. Not at Charlie Gamble level but has a quality moustache.
Maurice Longbottom – Just fun to watch with his footwork and speed. He has also really lifted his defence in recent times.
Ben Dowling – Part of the Waratahs academy, keep an eye on him if he plays. He is also in the Junior Wallabies squad that plays its first game next week.
Aussie women
Charlotte Caslick – As one of the lads said on The Rugby Report Card pod, possibly the best all-around Australian rugby player male or female over the last 5+ years.
Charlotte Caslick leads of Team Australia into action. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Madison Levi – Debuted at the Olympics, a long striding winger, who runs off Caslick and has added an aerial dimension to the women’s team.
Faith Nathan – A pocket rocket, (recently on the World Rugby Sevens highlight reel again), and matches her speed with a highly effective defence.
Madison Ashby – The best descriptor, she is almost a Caslick mini me.
Alysia Lefau Fakaosilea – She did miss the last tournament in Toulouse. If she plays she brings physicality to the side in both defence and attack. She provides the big hits and near impossible to tackle one-on-one.
Obviously apart from the Aussie contingent it would be remiss not to mention the New Zealand women’s team which is chock full of stars such as Portia Woodman, Sarah Hirini, Michaela Blyde and Tyla Nathan-Wong.
So when the playing schedule is released, check out the times. Watch it live or on replay. Either way you will not be disappointed and get the opportunity to watch some of the best sevens players in action.
For more insight about the men’s sevens program have a listen to the Pick and Drive podcast which did a very interesting long form chat with coach John Manenti
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Good wins to both the mens and womens teams this morning, men particularly impressive in dominating Fiji in the second half - don't see that often, albeit no doubt Fiji experimenting with their lineup. Good to see Alicia Quirk back in the womens teams.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep well Hugh, it's a waiting game, as many of the Sevens World Series, followers will tell you, that the sooner the whole Series gets back, to where it was, it is not as effective, ATM. Relocating, tournaments, mini tournaments, back to the original idea of the World Series, as it was known, to the original locations, must happen, sometime in the future. Possibly when there is a far better cure for this pandemic. As the way it is now, we are not having most of the Series teams playing.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
The women’s squad has all the regular players you would expect, good to see a Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea back who missed Toulouse. Plus there are a couple of new players added Bridget Clark/ Isabella Nasser, also the return of Alicia Lucas & Georgia Hannaway in the squad Demi Hayes, Charlotte Caslick, Maddison Levi, Teagan Levi, Faith Nathan, Jesse Southwell, Madison Ashby, Tia Hinds, Dominique Du Toit, Sariah Paki, Lily Dick, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Bienne Terita, Sharni Williams, Bridget Clark, Isabella Nasser, Georgia Hannaway, Alicia Lucas
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Aussie 7s men A bit of an update now the squads have been announced. For the men it is a real revamp for some reason – 5 of the players I suggested having a looking at are not even in the squad & there are 6 names I don’t know. So not sure how they will go with this number of changes Henry Paterson Stuart Dunbar Declan Meridith Dally Bird Chris Watkins Max Burey James Turner Josh Turner Dietrich Roache Nathan Lawson Matt Gonzalez Solomone Vosaicake Nathan Carroll Tom Morrison
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Muzzo, you make me laugh with your HK reference again. Am not too worried about these games, it's just a good run for the teams. Actually don't expect the Oz teams to win. My focus is getting more readers to think about 7s, know the names of some of the players and hopefully they watch a few games on Stan.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep, but in truth the Kiwi men, do need a run, after missing those earlier World Series tournaments. Honestly, I'll be a lot happier when the likes of Hong Kong opens up again, as that in itself, is the pearl of all World Series venues.
SDRedsFan
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the prompt - I'll check it out.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
It will be a good watch. Actually keen to see how the Aussie men go playing NZ & Fiji multiple times. The men have really progressed when you consider only 6 players are on full time contracts. As for Stan I assumed Stan would broadcast it as they would just take the NZ broadcasting feed, like they did in that pre Olympic tournament in NZ. Just need to get a few people to actually watch it on Stan.
JC
Roar Rookie
Love the peek at some of the key Aussie players -- thanks, Hugh.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Thanks Hugh, as I thought Stan would've given the Sevens a miss, as they have previously. Mind you I have been on their backs, to start on the Sevens as it is, as we know it is an international event. Great to see both the Kiwi Black Fern Sevens back, as they with Australia are both previous Series title winners. Not so the men, where Australia has yet to achieve their first title win. Yeh, they've won tournaments, but yet to grab the ultimate title. Actually even Fiji, do look good & as we mostly all know their ability in Sevens.
DJ
Roar Rookie
Great news that this is on this weekend, and on Stan also. Thanks Hugh for keeping us updated and sharing some of the finer points. Looking forward to it.