NZ claims Oceania 7s clean sweep at home
NEW ZEALAND capped off the Matariki long weekend in Aotearoa with a clean sweep of the 2022 Oceania Rugby Super Sevens silverware. With a title win each both the Black Ferns and All Black Sevens have given coaches Clark Laidlaw and Cory Sweeny much to think about during this final outing before naming their squads for Birmingham 2022.
The Oceania Super Sevens provided a boost to team preparations ahead the 2022 Commonwealth Games and RWC Sevens 2022 and saw numerous uncapped players compete in their first international tournament in hopes of being selected by Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Tonga for next month’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Black Ferns Ma undefeated
After winning five from five, the Black Ferns Ma needed at least a draw against the Australian Selection 7s, who came into the match with four wins, to claim the Oceania title. Stacey Fluhler got them off to the perfect start two minutes in before Aussie Sharni Williams responded, but that would be the last time Australia scored, as the Ma scored 19 unanswered points to win the match 26-5.
Two-time Women’s Sevens Player of the Year, Michaela Blyde scored six tries for the Black Ferns Ma to lead the tournament in tries and points (32) alongside teammate Risi PouriLane who converted 11 tries.
Australia’s Tia Hinds finished third in scoring with 19 points, converting seven of her team’s 19 tries.
Fijiana had to wait until the final match of the tournament to secure their only victory. The 2021 Olympic bronze medallists narrowly lost their first five matches, with three by less than seven.
Entering the last match having only scored 10 tries, Fijiana crossed the line four times against the Black Ferns Pango, with a double to Ana Roqica. The victory secured third place for the Fijiana, edging the Black Ferns Pango on points difference.
Olympic gold medallist Ruby Tui led the Pango with three tries, alongside Mahina Paul, with Olympian Tenika Willison adding 13 points.
“It’s always an amazing time coming out and playing against our sisters from over the sea,” said Black Ferns Pango captain Terina Te Tamaki. “Big shout out to our girls.
“We had five girls who have never played international rugby and it was amazing to see them do their thing this weekend.”
Black Ferns Ma captain Sarah Hirini added, “Having two teams playing against the other two best teams in the world has been amazing and I know the girls would have been really stoked getting a lot of game time.” Women’s Results:
Day 1
Australia 21-Black Ferns Pango 12 Black Ferns Ma 26-Fiji 12
Black Ferns Ma 28-Black Ferns Pango 14 Australia 19-Fiji 17
Day 2
Black Ferns Pango 19-Fiji 14
Black Ferns Ma 17-Australia 12 Australia 29-Black Ferns Pango 5
Black Ferns Ma 14-Fiji 7
Near perfect All Blacks win at home Though losing the final match of the tournament to Fiji 12-5, the New Zealand men’s team won their first five matches and clinched the title earlier in the day when Roderick Solo scored the winning try against Australian Selection in the 13th minute of their 17-12 victory.
Akuila Rokolisoa finished the tournament as the Kiwi’s leading scorer with 25 points and three tries (equal Leroy Carter). New Zealand shared the ball around with 13 players crossing the line over the weekend, including seven individual try scorers in their 54-12 win against Tonga.
While the Kiwis shared the ball around, Australia’s points came through James Turner who led the competition with nine tries, four more than Fiji’s Pilipo Bukayaro.
Australia’s Dietrich Roache and Stu Dunbar also finished with 20+ points, with the majority coming from the boot.
Coming off their world series victory in London, the Australian team won four matches, including two wins against the 2021 Olympic gold medallists Fiji. After a 10-point win against the Fijians in the opening match, the Aussies backed up with a two-point victory the following day after Roache successfully converted Matt Gonzalez’s try with one minute remaining.
After struggling in their first four matches, Fiji returned to form on the final day dominating Tonga 42-7, as Bukayaro and Iowane Teba combined for 30 points, while Tevita Daugunu and Aminiasi Tuimaba scored secondhalf tries to defeat the hosts, 12-5.
With only one week’s preparation and last-minute call-ups, Tonga finished the weekend winless but impressed against Fiji in their second match, losing 24-12.
The Tongans managed to score points in four games, with John Ika scoring three of the team’s six tries.
“Really excited about the younger players getting to play for the first time,” said All Blacks 7s coach Clark Laidlaw.
“We’ve got to pick 13 tonight and two travelling reserves, so maybe we’ve got a long night ahead of us, which is what I want. I thought all the players really stuck their hand up.”
Men’s results:
Day 1
New Zealand 38-Tonga 0
Australia 29-Fiji 19
Fiji 24-Tonga 12
New Zealand 35-Australia 19
Day 2
Australia 42-Tonga 0
New Zealand 19-Fiji 5
New Zealand 54-Tonga 12
Australia 26-Fiji 24
Day 3
Fiji 47-Tonga 5
New Zealand 17-Australia 12 Australia 35-Tonga 7
Fiji 12-New Zealand 5
Women’s Results:
Day 3
Black Ferns Ma 24-Black Ferns Pango 10 Australia 31-Fiji 14
Fiji 20-Black Ferns Pango 10
Black Ferns Ma 26-Australia 5.