Phrase has it, this week there will probably be an announcement about which Sevens girls will probably be having a crack at Tremendous Rugby Ladies. Brittany Mitchell from ESPN indicated on X that the Queensland Reds would be the main beneficiary. So that’s some thrilling information.
Again to Cape City.
The brand new format was odd with groups needing to solely play and win simply 4 video games. On the identical time, it meant errors in a recreation appeared to have an even bigger consequence. Groups couldn’t afford to lose.
Personally, I’m not actually a fan of the format. Will probably be in place once more when there are back-to-back tournaments; for instance, for Singapore after Hong Kong.
The Aussie males, after lower than beneficial showings in Dubai and Cape City are sitting in eighth place with 4 tournaments remaining. They’re proper on the borderline of the relegation playoff zone.
Aussie Sevens girls
In simply her third 12 months on the World Rugby SVNS Collection, Maddi Levi is now fifth on the all-time strive scorers checklist. Sensational.
Do you know of the 13 gamers in Cape City, 9 are 22 years outdated or youthful, together with the captain Bella Nasser? It’s fairly probably the youngest squad on the SVNS Collection.
For the ladies, the Cape City semi-final and third place play-off losses are harking back to the Olympics and different losses the ladies have had over time.
Each the USA and France convey a recreation that usually unsettles the Aussie girls. That’s, physicality, strain within the sort out, strain on the ruck. If the Aussies have possession and might play their up-tempo, abilities primarily based recreation, then they may win 9 occasions out of ten. But when they’re pressured and don’t retain possession, issues can get a bit unstuck. Their possession recreation in Cape City was impacted by some very poor kick restarts. Groups have additionally discovered one of the best ways to play Australia is to gradual the sport down. As an alternative of fast faucets, set a scrum.
When this all happens, the Aussie girls discover it a problem to wrestle again the sport.
Within the USA semi-final, I can not recall such a dominant and game-defining effort than from Nia Toliver, who at 26 years outdated solely made her debut in Dubai. Not simply highly effective and quick with ball in hand, twice she used her energy to blow by with a counter ruck to present the USA the ball.
It’s also price noting round half of the USA squad solely made their debuts in Dubai.
A distinction between Australia and the USA, France and probably New Zealand seems to be the pathway to their respective Sevens squads. The Aussie girls seem to return by contact soccer, then by junior rugby sevens, then Subsequent Gen 7s pathways. Gamers reminiscent of kids Mackenzie Davis, Piper Simons and Ruby Nicholas are extremely expert and quick however don’t have the physicality.
On the flip facet, it appears the USA and French gamers come by a 15s background. The USA gamers, specifically, are older and appear to be extra bodily developed.
This completely different pathway additionally ends in a problem for the Aussie girls in transitioning to 15s at a later stage. Other than Charlotte Caslick and injured Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, it’s doable not one of the squad have ever performed 15s.
With the accidents to Bridget Clark, Bienne Terita and Lefau-Fakaosilea , coach Tim Walsh may take a look at some up-and-coming energy gamers over the Christmas interval who can convey a bit extra physicality.
Aussie Sevens males
Dubai wasn’t nice and, sadly, Cape City was worse.
Pre-tournament, it was doable they may win each or lose each of their Pool video games. Neither outcomes could be a shock. So, two Pool losses it was, probably not a shock, simply disappointing. However they completed the match with wins over Eire and the USA to seize ninth.
Within the Pool video games, the Aussie males have been greater than within the video games with losses of simply 19-14 and 19-12. In each video games, it was errors, a missed sort out or dropping a ball chilly at essential occasions that immediately led to tries. Placing it politely, the staff will probably be greater than irritated that they misplaced each video games.
Neither Eire nor the USA are presently enjoying nicely. So the Australian play-off wins (12-7 and 19-12 respectively) have been nothing to put in writing residence about. However a win is a win and good for the children.
Take outs
– Henry Paterson is essential to the staff, particularly with Nathan Lawson leaving. It seems he should have bought an harm, he didn’t play within the final two video games.
– The general defence is excellent. In Dubai, they let within the second lowest variety of tries.
– The assault nonetheless wants work, lots of possession and energy for not a lot reward. They’re lacking an X-factor like Maurice Longbottom and Dietrich Roache to open up the defence and in addition want some out-and-out tempo.
– With a few gamers out injured, they have been capable of give the brand new gamers reminiscent of Sid Harvey (19 years outdated), James McGregor, (20) Aden Ekanayake (19), Ben Dalton (19) and debutant Jayden Blake (22) some stable recreation time. It will construct depth however it’s a little bit of a problem to study on the job. They may all be higher for it.
The brand new coach Liam Barry will now get his fingers on the gamers and will probably be within the saddle for Perth in January.
Anyway, for each groups it’s all executed and dusted for 2024.
