Hong Kong Sevens - 7-9 April

[wamberal]

I am guessing that the players have been told to keep playing until the whistle, no matter what. One of those old coaching shibboleths.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Fiji 29-12 Canada
----------------------
USA 27-7 England

SA v NZ on now, I'm picking we'll be playing for fifth.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

SA down to six, NZ eventually get over for 12-7 at HT. Gotta score at least once more while there's a Sethfrickan in the bin, I don't think we can beat them 7-on-7.

 

[Forcefield]

A thought I've been having, just throwing it out there:

Australia are up 21-7 and the buzzer has gone. Argentina have the ball on about half way. Why are we still playing rugby? We should put our hands on our heads and let the Argies score under the sticks.

Instead we keep playing, and Boyd Killingworth gets a knock to the head that might rule him out of our next game.

I'm not sure it's strictly in the spirit of the game, but I'm surprised I've never seen it before. Makes so much sense in these demanding tournaments.
.

I get your point, but perhaps it is a good way to condition yourself to playing the final and/or when you have to chase the game yourself. I thought the Argies should have been penalised at the breakdown on their own line a few seconds earlier, which would have ended the game.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Afrika & Kok have the final says, SA 21-12 NZ & into OT.

 

[barbarian]

I get your point, but perhaps it is a good way to condition yourself to playing the final and/or when you have to chase the game yourself. I thought the Argies should have been penalised at the breakdown on their own line a few seconds earlier, which would have ended the game.

That's a very fair point. On the flip side, you could argue that you should be conserving every ounce of energy you can, so when those final minutes come around you have some gas in the tank.......

 

[Twoilms]

I'm not sure it's strictly in the spirit of the game, but I'm surprised I've never seen it before. Makes so much sense in these demanding tournaments.
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Basically because that's incredibly cynical and probably against some kind of rule.

 

[I like to watch]

Why?
If the margin is more than 7 when the bell goes, who gives a shit?
(Punters excluded, but if everyone does it, no harm no foul...)
I don't understand why it's not the prevailing attitude throughout the comp.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Qualifying SF:

Germany 19-7 Chile
Spain 21-12 PNG

13th Place SF:

Wales 26-12 Samoa
Japan 36-7 South Korea

Challenge Trophy SF:

Scotland 21-19 France
Kenya 24-5 Russia

 

[wamberal]

Aussie defence is really what winning them games, and Tom Lucas as a playmaker alongside chucky has made a huge difference

They just look really organised both in attack and defence.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

5th place SF:

Argentina 20-19 Canada
NZ 21-7 England

Cup SF:

Fiji 33-12 Australia. Bronze medal for your blokes, I would think.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Qualifying Final:

Spain 12-7 Germany

Playoff for 13th:

Japan 28-21 Wales

Challenge Trophy Final:

Scotland 21-19 Kenya

Playoff for 5th:

NZ 10-7 Argentina

Bronze Final:

Australia 26-19 USA

CUP FINAL:

FIJI 22-0 SOUTH AFRICA

 

[TOCC]

Why?
If the margin is more than 7 when the bell goes, who gives a shit?
(Punters excluded, but if everyone does it, no harm no foul.)
I don't understand why it's not the prevailing attitude throughout the comp.

I believe it's called self respect' and having a naturally competitive attitude.

 

[wamberal]

Third is a great result. The best thing is, the squad is starting to look as though they are all on the same page, defensively and offensively.


Very good signs.

 

[Braveheart81]

Definitely thought that was our best tournament of the season and we're improving nicely.

Tom Lucas is absolutely key to this team because Chucky Stannard can't do it on his own in terms of playmaking.

Lachie Anderson is going fantastically and some of the other young guys like McNamara and Anstee are improving as well.

Losing Henry Hutchison next year will hurt but it definitely feels like we're heading in the right direction.

 

[wamberal]

Chucky must be very near his use-by date.

 

[Braveheart81]

Chucky must be very near his use-by date.

Definitely can't have a huge amount of time left, but he is also playing some of his best Sevens rugby in recent years.

I certainly wouldn't be rushing to push him out the door because right now he's easily in our best 12.

 

[RugbyReg]

sign Frisby!

I wonder if the ARU are being strategic and thinking about what 'cusp' Super Rugby players they may lose because of the Super Cut that could be potential 7s players?

Anyone come to mind?

 

[Braveheart81]

sign Frisby!

I wonder if the ARU are being strategic and thinking about what 'cusp' Super Rugby players they may lose because of the Super Cut that could be potential 7s players?

Anyone come to mind?

Ben Meehan would seem to tick the boxes of being a playmaker with good speed and acceleration.

 

[RugbyReg]

yeah, I think he's already signed for somewhere next year. In the UK I believe.