2019-2020 World Sevens Series
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World Rugby Women's Sevens Player of the Year 2019 nominees are all Kiwis.
and the men are not
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Oktoberfest Sevens
September 21-22 at Olympic Stadium, MunichI only associate the Oktoberfest in Germany with beer, but there's also a sevens tournament that is used as a preseason tournament before the 2019-2020 World Series kick off.
This is the All Blacks 7s squad for the Oktoberfest Sevens (*denotes debut);
1 Trael Joass
2 Tim Mikkelson
3 Tone Ng Shiu
4 Amanaki Nicole
5 Luke Masirewa
6 Dan Fransen *
7 Sam Dickson
8 Andrew Knewstubb
9 Regan Ware
10 Ngarohi McGarvey-Black
11 Rewita Biddle *
12 Sione MoliaWith regular squad members Joe Ravouvou, Joe Webber and Vilimoni Koroi on Mitre 10 Cup duties, 22-year old Dan Fransen (Canterbury) and 20-year-old Rewita Biddle (Bay of Plenty) will get their first opportunity in a black jersey. Fransen was a member of the All Blacks Sevens Development team earlier this year, while Biddle was a stand-out in the inaugural Red Bull Ignite7 programme. “We have had a number of new faces with us during pre-season and they have been working really hard,” said Cama. “Nothing beats game time though, so it’s a great opportunity for these guys to experience international sevens and at the same time it is great for us to develop depth in our programme.”
The Oktoberfest Sevens features seven of the top eight ranked teams from the World Series; the All Blacks Sevens are grouped with England, South Africa and Australia for pool play.
By the way, the other participating countries are: Germany, Fiji, France and the USA.
https://www.allblacks.com/news/all-blacks-sevens-kick-off-pre-season-in-germany
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FYI the Oktoberfest Sevens day 2 is on Sky 51 tonight at 8:50pm, in case you need a break from the World Cup.
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Allan Bunting and Cory Sweeney have been appointed as co-coaches of the Black Ferns 7s, while Stu Ross stays on as assistant coach.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has today confirmed that Allan Bunting, who returns to the squad after a period of leave this year, links up with caretaker Coach Cory Sweeney, as the pair will co-coach the Black Ferns Sevens through to the Olympics. The new season gets under way in next weekend with the opening round of the HSBC World Series in Glendale, USA. The World Rugby World Sevens Series has grown from six to eight tournaments for the 2019/2020 season, meaning a busy build-up for the Black Ferns Sevens heading into the Tokyo Olympics in July.
“It’s great to have Allan back in the programme and we believe this structure will play to strengths of the coaching team. With such a big season ahead, and we know Allan, Cory and Stu (Ross), along with the wider management team will continue to develop and lead this group to achieve their goals.” Philp said the new structure will bring out the best in the coaching team, with the ability to maximise their coaching knowledge, skills and leadership in what will be a busy season. Sweeney was previously assistant coach and has been part of the coaching group for three seasons. Stu Ross rounds out the coaching team, continuing as assistant coach.
The Black Ferns Sevens have 23 fully contracted players based in Tauranga that train full time. The management team consists of the three coaches along with full time physio, strength and conditioning coach, manager and support staff that oversee nutrition, sports psychology and professional development.
https://www.allblacks.com/news/black-ferns-sevens-prepared-for-exciting-season
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Black Ferns 7s squad travelling to the USA for the Glendale Sevens (5 - 6 October 2019);
Shakira Baker - Waikato
Gayle Broughton - Taranaki
Kelly Brazier - Bay of Plenty
Michaela Blyde - Bay of Plenty
Theresa Fitzpatrick - Auckland
Sarah Hirini - captain - Manawatu
Risaleaana Pouri-Lane - Ta$man
Montessa Tairakena - Waikato
Terina Te Tamaki - Waikato
Ruby Tui - Bay of Plenty
Stacey Waaka - Waikato
Niall Williams - Auckland
Tenika Willison - WaikatoThe Black Ferns Sevens have named one debutant in their squad to travel to the Glendale Sevens in Colorado, USA this weekend. 19-year-old Montessa Tairakena is in line to make her Black Ferns Sevens debut, a year on from winning a sevens gold at the Youth Olympic Games.
The Black Ferns Sevens coaches start the season with an almost fully fit squad of players to pick from, with regular starters Tyla Nathan-Wong (unavailable for selection) and Portia Woodman (injured) among a small number of players out of contention for this first tournament. Co-coach Cory Sweeney said Tairakena’s selection speaks to her improvement since joining the squad after graduating from Hamilton Girls High School last year.
Stacey Waaka returns from a hand injury that sidelined her for the last two tournaments of the 2018/19 season, as does Gayle Broughton who missed the last three events last season.
Pool play will see the Black Ferns Sevens up against Japan, Russia and England.
https://www.allblacks.com/news/one-debutant-in-black-ferns-sevens-for-opening-event
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Black Ferns 7s squad for the Glendale Sevens:
1 Ruby Tui
2 Shakira Baker
3 Terina Te Tamaki
4 Niall Williams
5 Sarah Hirini – captain
6 Michaela Blyde
7 Stacey Waaka
8 Kelly Brazier
9 Gayle Broughton
10 Theresa Fitzpatrick
11 Risi Pouri-Lane
12 Montessa Tairakena
*Tenika Willison is the travelling reserve.
Co—Coach Cory Sweeney said the selection of Montessa Tairakena was exciting for the Black Ferns Sevens squad. “Montessa has been dominant at age group and national level for some time, she is one of the quickest players in New Zealand. She came into our environment at the beginning of the year and in this pre-season has grown in confidence. “She has been learning from one of the best in the world in Michaela Blyde and has shown us what we needed to see to select her, it's really exciting times for her and the team,” said Sweeney. The Black Ferns Sevens also have the benefit of Stacey Waaka and Gayle Broughton back in their game day 12.
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Pool games
Sunday, 6 October 2019
6.43am: v Japan
9.27am: v Russia
12.33pm: v EnglandAll matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports 1
https://www.allblacks.com/news/montessa-tairakena-to-debut-for-black-ferns-sevens
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Due to the RWC, this is going a bit unnoticed but after the first pool games, the BF7s also won their last pool game against
England: 36 - 0.This morning they played Ireland in the Cup QF and won 36 - 10.
The BF7s play the USA in the Cup SF at 9.23am.