Sevens side makes impact on coach
All’s well that ends well.
The beginnings hadn’t been too auspicious, at Playford Park. Wellington don’t boast a great record at the Central Region Sevens and a 19-19 first-up draw with Wanganui didn’t suggest 2016 would be their year either.
But by the time Wellington beat Taranaki 33-5 in Saturday’s final, few could argue they hadn’t been the best team on show in Levin.
‘‘It was an awesome result,’’ satisfied Wellington coach Sam Rasch said. ‘‘Obviously we didn’t start the day off too well with a draw. That was a tough game but we learned a lot from it, fixed a few things, things went our way after that and we got a good result.’’
After a narrow 21-19 win over Hawke’s Bay, Wellington finished pool play by beating Horowhenua-Kapiti 48-0. Manawatu were then seen off 21-5 in the semifinal, before tries to Daniel Schrijvers, Te Wehi Wright, Sheridan Rangihuna, Brandyn Laursen and Levi Harmon helped secure the title against Taranaki.
‘‘Things just went our way and that’s just what happens in a game of sevens. Taranaki are a good side but it’s just seven minutes and when things go your way it just snowballs,’’ said Rasch.
The coach was grateful to a couple of his older hands for helping close the knockout games out.
‘‘We saw the likes of Hayden Schrijvers and Sheridan Rangihuna just lead the way in the semi and finals. Having guys like that help out the younger boys is a massive plus for us.’’
At the other end of the spectrum, Rasch had been impressed by the performances of Rongotai College star Esi Komaisavai, who shared the playmaking duties with Rangihuna.
Wellington will take 14 players to the Mt Maunganui Sevens, starting on January 7, with the national tournament then kicking off in Rotorua on January 16. The bulk of the team that won in Levin are likely to go to Rotorua, although there are other players such as Billy Proctor who will hopefully come back into the selection frame.
Proctor was injured playing for St Patrick’s College (Town) at last weekend’s Condor Sevens in Auckland.
‘‘Our goal going into nationals would be top-four again,’’ Rasch said, who has assumed the head coach’s role after three years as co-coach alongside Scott Waldrom.
Meanwhile, Wellington were beaten 26-5 by Manawatu in the women’s final at Playford Park. Having beaten Taranaki 31-12, Hawke’s Bay 21-19 and Horowhenua-Kapiti 39-0 in pool play, Wellington were 39-7 winners over Hawke’s Bay in their semifinal.