NZ is favourites
As we count hours to the 2021 Oceania 7s tournament, the All Blacks will enter the tournament as hot favourites.
Last month, the All Blacks played Australia six times, and they came out winners in all the six matches.
I have been closely following the All Blacks 7s side since Clark Laidlaw was appointed the NZ 7s coach and I’m impressed with what I have seen.
Laidlaw has developed a winning squad, and he has laid the challenge, as he took a power-packed and experienced outfit boasting speed and skills for the Oceania 7s tournament.
Household names Kurt Baker, Dylan Collier, Scott Curry, Sam Dickson, Vilimoni Koroi, Tim Mikkelson, Sione Molia, Tone Ng Shiu, Regan Ware, Etene Nanai-Seturo and Joe Webber have tons of 7s experience, and they have tasted success with the All Blacks 7s team.
They will be assisted by the likes of Trael Joass, Andrew Knewstubb, Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, Caleb Clarke, Amanaki Nicole, Kitiona Vai, William Warbrick and Akuila Rokolisoa.
In 2018, the All Blacks won both gold at the Commonwealth Games rugby 7s on the Gold Coast, Australia from April 13 to 15, and they also claimed the Melrose Cup.
The Commonwealth Games rugby 7s was held at Robina Stadium, and this was the sixth time that the men’s competition was held, following rugby 7s debut at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, with women’s rugby sevens making its debut.
The Fiji 7s side led by Gareth Baber had names in Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Josua Vakurinabili, Kalione Nasoko, Paula Dranisinukula, Semi Kunatani, Eroni Sau, Jerry Tuwai, Jasa Veremalua, Mesulame Kunavula, Vatemo Ravouvou, Alosio Naduva, Amenoni Nasilasila and Samisoni Viriviri, while our rivals and the most successful 7s team at the Commonwealth Games had the likes of Scott Curry, Tim Mikkelson, Trael Joass, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Dylan Collier, Vilimoni Koroi, Sam Dickson, Andrew Knewstubb, Regan Ware, Kurt Baker, Akuila Rokolisoa and Sione Molia.
The All Blacks were unbeaten, and they defeated Fiji 14-0 in the final, relegating our boys to the silver medal.
On the other hand, England with the likes of Richard de Carpentier, Mike Ellery, Phil Burgess, Alex Davis, Dan Norton, James Rodwell, Tom Mitchell, Dan Bibby, Ollie Lindsay-Hague, Ruaridh McConnochie, Ethan Waddleton and Harry Glover, finished third and claimed the bronze medal.
Gareth Baber has yet to name his squad, but I’m hopeful that Vilimoni Botitu and Aminiasi Tuimaba will be included in the team so that Baber is able to gauge their performance.
Tuimaba, who made the Top 14 Dream Team, will be our lethal weapon, and if Botitu finds his form, he will prove a clinical combination with the likes of Jerry and Napolioni Bolaca.
My 13-member squad includesKalione Nasoko, Josua Vakurinabili, Ratu Meli Derenalagi, Asaeli Tuivuaka, Taniela Sadrugu, Kavekini Tabu in the forwards, and Jerry Tuwai, Vilimoni Botitu, Aminiasi Tuimaba, Napolioni Ratu, Kitione Taliga, Waisea Nacuqu and Jiuta Wainiqolo in the back-line, although I’d love to see more game time for Josefa Talacolo, Kaminileli Rasaku and Sireli Maqala.
We have the armoury to match the All Blacks, but we need to be aggressive and not fall into their game plan, as they’ll try to be patient and slow the game to match their game plan.
All the best Baber and the boys! One more day to go before the Oceania 7s tournament unfolds, and I’m excited! Toso Viti!