Tomasi Cama named IRB Sevens Player of the Year

Posted on May 14, 2012 in NZ, Sevens

On the same night that New Zealand were crowned HSBC Sevens World Series champions for 2011/12, their playmaker Tomasi Cama has been named IRB Sevens Player of the Year in association with HSBC.

Fijian-born Cama was up for the award for the second year running, having lost out to South Africa’s Cecil Afrika last season.

Once again he has been a key factor behind New Zealand’s excellence and the creative spark behind their 10th World Series success.

"It feels awesome. It’s just a reward for all the hard work from the boys. Without them it would have been impossible to receive this award. I want to thank them as well," Cama said.

"I concentrate on my game and I control what I can control, but to get this is an awesome feeling. Once you have been there for a while you know and understand what’s going on and that’s where the experience comes in.

"For me I just like going out there and enjoying the game, enjoy myself and do what I do best."

Cama fought off stiff competition from compatriot Frank Halai and England’s Mat Turner to win the coveted individual accolade.

As well as finishing the season with 34 tries, Cama’s impeccable drop-kicking helped him to 390 points for the season, the leading mark.

He also ends the season second in the all time point-scoring charts with 1,627, behind only England’s Ben Gollings.

Cama becomes the fourth New Zealand player to win the prize, following Orene Ai’i, Afeleke Pelenise and his captain DJ Forbes.

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London Sevens: England edged out by Fiji

Posted on May 13, 2012 in England Sevens

England were edged out of a quarter final thriller 21-14 by Fiji after succumbing to an injury time score on the second morning of the Marriott London Sevens.

World Player of the Year nominee Mat Turner’s two tries had put England on the front foot and they were pushing for the winning score until they were penalised at the breakdown. Fiji then went the length of the field for Jamilai Naikadawa to clinch victory.

The result puts Fiji into the semi finals against New Zealand, who clinched a 10thHSBC Sevens World Series title when they thumped South Africa 36-0. Argentina meet Samoa in the other half of the draw.

Third-placed England now take on South Africa in the semi finals of the Plate competition.

On day one, England had beaten France 28-0 and the USA 15-5 before a 14-7 defeat against Samoa halted their progress.

Against Fiji – who will finish the series in second place – England produced their most incisive attacking work of the weekend.

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England call up Vilk and Williams for Marriott London Sevens

Posted on May 11, 2012 in England Sevens

England have called newcomer Jeff Williams and former captain Andy Vilk into their squad for this weekend’s Marriott London Sevens.

Head coach Ben Ryan had needed to make one change for the final leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series after former England U20 wing Mark Odejobi fractured a bone in his foot last weekend.

But half back John Brake is suffering from concussion caused by a blow to the head in the Glasgow final against New Zealand, so both the powerful Vilk and France-based Williams join the group.

England face France (12:42), the USA (16:00) and Samoa (19:28) in tomorrow’s Pool B matches with Fiji or Wales their potential opponents if they reach the quarter finals.

Former Northampton Saints and Sale Sharks centre Vilk, 30, captained England Sevens in 2007-08 before moving to Treviso and has been playing under Neil Back at Rugby Lions this season.

Williams, 23, is a centre with RC Chateaurenard in the Federale 1 division in France this season who previously played for the Hamiltons club and the Sharks Academy in South Africa.

“We’re lucky to be able to call on two quality players who’ve spent a lot of time with the squad,” said England head coach Ben Ryan.

“Andy’s very experienced with more than 30 tournaments under his belt at this level while Jeff’s got a good pedigree, has impressed us in training and by the way he’s fitted into our group so well.

“We feel we’re on an upward curve at the moment and we played some great rugby in Glasgow so we’re eager to finish on a high on what should be a fantastic occasion at Twickenham.”

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England make three changes in squad for Glasgow Sevens

Posted on May 2, 2012 in England Sevens

Dan Bibby is set to win his first cap after being named in the England squad for this weekend’s penultimate leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Glasgow.

The UWIC playmaker heads for his first tournament with former England Under 20 wing Mark Odejobi in the squad for the first time this season and Chris Cracknell returning from injury.

The three changes from the last leg in Tokyo see them take over from Harlequins wing Charlie Walker, injured playmaker Christian Lewis-Pratt and former captain Greg Barden, who has retired.

England Students full back Bibby, 21, has trained with the squad all season and the former Fylde player impressed for Sale Sharks last summer when named Player of the Tournament at the Edgeley Park leg of the JP Morgan Premiership Sevens.

Odejobi ruptured an Achilles tendon last year and spent six months in rehab before re-joining the group in January while Cracknell had been ever-present in the squad this season before sitting out the last leg of the series in Tokyo with a shoulder injury.

“Dan Bibby’s an exciting talent who’s definitely one for the future and he’s trained with us throughout the season, including appearing in our warm-up tournament in Spain on the eve of the series,” said head coach Ben Ryan.

“It’s been a long road back for Mark Odejobi who played for us last season. He’s worked very hard to get fit and he’s trained well to keep out two very experienced sevens players in [former captain] Andy Vilk and Simon Hunt. It’s great to have Chris Cracknell back after missing him in Tokyo too.”

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Samoan setback for England sevens

Posted on Dec 9, 2011 in England, English Rugby, Sevens

Dubai champions England today suffered a setback against Samoa in their second pool game at the South Africa Sevens.

Leading try-scorers Dan Norton and Mathew Turner both touched down for England but they conceded four against the 2010 HSBC Sevens World Series champions.

England had begun the day with a 26-7 win over the USA and the Samoa result leaves them needing a win from their final Pool A match against Argentina (17.54 GMT) to make certain a quarter final place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

Paul Perez and Afa Aiaono struck in the first half for Samoa, who had beaten England at the Gold Coast Sevens a fortnight earlier, before Turner sprinted down the right to score with Marcus Watson converting.

Conceding possession and missing a tackle immediately after the interval let Aiaono in for a second try before Norton then struck from long-range to give England a chance at 19-14 down.

But they were hit by another Samoa try from a scrum on their own 22 with Faalemiga Selesele finishing things off.

Earlier England had opened their account against the USA with tries from James Rodwell, Watson, Turner and substitute Nick Royle, Watson adding three conversions.

Rodwell opened the scoring following Isoa Damudamu’s assist then Zach Test responded to level for the Eagles and England were forced to defend for long spells before the break.

In the second half they increased the pressure and tempo, Damudamu forcing the error that gifted Watson a second score before Turner struck following his own neat chip down the right touchline.

Substitute wing Royle picked off an interception for England’s fourth try to complete the victory.