2018-2019 World Sevens Series
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All Blacks 7s team for Dubai Sevens:
1 Scott Curry (co-captain)
2 Luke Masirewa
3 Tone Ng Shiu
4 Ngarohi McGarvey Black
5 Dylan Collier
6 Akuila Rokolisoa
7 Sam Dickson
8 Andrew Knewstubb
9 Regan Ware
10 Scott Gregory
11 Jona Nareki
12 Sione Molia (co-captain)*Amanaki Nicole is the travelling reserve.
Northland’s Scott Gregory will make his World Series debut in the black jersey this weekend, after his first hit out with the All Blacks Sevens at the Oceania Sevens earlier this month. “Scott has only been in our environment a short time, but he has proved to be a quick learner and we are excited to see what he will achieve on the field. He’s already had an impressive year with New Zealand Under 20s and a strong Mitre 10 Cup campaign, he’s looking forward to this next opportunity.” Sione Molia will join Scott Curry as co-captains for the tournament, with Tim Mikkelson in New Zealand awaiting the arrival of his first child.
“We can’t stress enough how tough the series is going to be with Olympic Qualification on the line. Every tournament is important which means every time you step on the field you have to be ready,” said Laidlaw. Kurt Baker had originally travelled with the team but returned to New Zealand with a calf injury earlier this week.
Pool games
Friday, 30 November (NZT):
6.22pm: v Wales
9.22pm: v SpainSaturday, 1 December (NZT)
3.22am: v USAWhere to watch
Sky Sport 1http://www.allblacks.com/News/33503/debutant-named-in-all-blacks-sevens-team
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Full time: Black Ferns 7s 29 - 12 Russia
Great game. The Ferns are missing Woodman, but Stacey Waaka is looking very strong. She scored two tries in this match. Injury to Nathan Wong, who limped off. Hopefully not too bad, because her replacement is playing her first tournament and her lack of experience may cost us in the bigger games. Not sure who would be the third playmaker. Maybe Broughton?
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The Black Ferns 7s also won their last pool game against Ireland: 24 - 17.
They'll meet Russia again in the Cup QF at 6.00pm tonight.
As the women's Cup Quarter Finals games and the men's pool games will be played at the same time, I suspect that we can only watch these women's games on FB again. The women's Cup Semis and Final should be on Sky Sport 1.
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Interestingly, the Aussies were beaten by the USA (17 - 22, last US try scored after the hooter) and England (10 - 26)! These two teams have always been good, but in previous years, the Aussies have always beaten them. I know they've signed a lot of their usual stars (e.g., Sharni Williams, Ella Green and Charlotte Caslick are in this weekend's squad), so I'm not sure what has changed. Missing a few other key players?
Australia finished 5th in the first leg of the Series. It will be interesting to see where they'll finish this week. I think that they'll still make the Cup QF as the best third placed team if the tie breaks on points differential. In that case, they'll play England again.
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Karl Te Nana is livescoring the game on Twitter. Try to Knewstubb, after dummying through the Spanish defence. 14 - 5 NZ
Things are going fast. Turnover by Spain on NZ 22m, break in middle of park, try Spain. 14 - 12 NZ That's the half time score.
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What the hell has happened to the power? (Both in the AB 7's and at the ground) Sky says temp fault....