Counting down to Tokyo
Injured skipper says the competition to make the Olympic sevens squad induces more nerves than playing
When the Black Ferns Sevens take the field this season, every move they make will take on a certain level of importance as the side looks towards the Tokyo Olympics.
For the players in the squad, each tournament is another opportunity to make their case for a spot in the squad to contest the Games in late July.
Only 12 women will be selected for the Olympic squad, and injured captain Sarah Hirini told the Herald on Sunday the nerves that come with trying to earn a place in the squad trump those of playing.
“It’s more nervous trying to compete for a spot in the squad and I think that’s going to be our biggest challenge — trying to be one of the 12 named,” she said.
Hirini has missed the first two tournaments of the Sevens season due to a quad injury and will again be watching from home this weekend as her teammates play in Cape Town on the third stop of the World Series.
Following the Cape Town tournament, Hirini will have just over a month to continue her recovery before the next stop of the series in Hamilton — the halfway point of the season. While recovering, she has been watching the team and said the early morning start times had helped her realise just how much she enjoys playing sevens.
“This is one of my first times being at home, so I’m struggling getting up at all hours of the night, but it definitely puts it into perspective how much I love the game and how much I miss being out there alongside the girls.”
Hirini’s was one of a few injuries that disrupted the Black Ferns Sevens’ campaign from a year ago but they still took out the title.
Speaking from Cape Town, cocoach Allan Bunting said to take out
the World Series and qualify for the Olympics was part of their long-term plan and now it was time to fine tune things.
“Each tournament through this year, it’s another milestone obviously,” he said.
“It’s an opportunity to learn and grow. We’re working on some things in the background working towards that end point, but it’s about gradually growing and getting to a point where you can put your tools down and say we’ve done everything we possibly can and get a good night’s sleep before the Olympics start and let them loose on the field.
“That’s where we want to get, making sure all our players are fit, healthy and happy really.”
Bunting and co-coach Cory Sweeney were named New Zealand Coaches of the Year at the New Zealand Rugby awards on Thursday night, claiming the award after a unique season that saw Bunting take leave for personal reasons and miss the final three events of the year.
Sweeney stepped up in his absence and this season was officially awarded the title of co-coach.
“He does probably most of the work and I just blow a whistle really when I’ve seen what I need to see,” Bunting said of his coaching partner.
“We all play a part and it’s probably good that we’re sharing the load in a big year with a lot of time away from home.
“Not much has changed, to be honest, but it’s good to have Cory’s support there alongside.
“[Being a co-coach] certainly alleviates a bit of weight from your shoulders, but I’m not too sure if there are too many coaches who would like to share that role.
“My style has always been horizontal leadership; even our players have a big part in what we do and where we go, there’s a lot of experience in our players — most of them have been to the Olympics before, so they play a big part, too.
“It’s a shared journey.”
● The Black Ferns Sevens qualified for the Cape Town quarter-finals after winning their first two pool games last night.
They blanked hosts South Africa 40-0 before wrapping up a place in the top eight with a hard-fought 12-10 victory over Fiji.
Their third pool game was against Russia overnight.
The men’s team also advanced, cruising to wins over Wales 43-7 and 33-5 against Canada before facing fellow quarter-finalists Argentina in their final pool game.