Vote on the IRB Sevens Player of the Year

Posted on May 8, 2012 in IRB, Sevens

A shortlist of three nominees, two New Zealanders and one Englishman, has been unveiled for the IRB Sevens Player of the Year Award, in association with HSBC.

With just one round left to play in the 2011/12 HSBC Sevens World Series, in England’s capital London, Tomasi Cama (NZ), Frank Halai (NZ) and Mat Turner (ENG) have been nominated for the award.

The outstanding trio were shortlisted from a vote by the management teams of the 12 core sides who compete at each and every round of the Series.

The winner will be announced following the conclusion of the Marriott London Sevens, at Twickenham Stadium on 13 May.

Fijian-born playmaker Cama is up for the award for the second year running, having lost out to South Africa’s Cecil Afrika last season. Cama’s sharp rugby brain and astute Sevens acumen has once again been a key factor behind New Zealand’s drive for a 10th World Series success. He is also currently the season’s top point-scorer with 330 and has 28 tries to his name.

Giant wing Frank Halai has also touched down 28 times for the New Zealanders this season. His powerful presence out wide has often proved the difference for the kiwis, no more so than at their home event in Wellington and also in Port Elizabeth, where they won back to back titles.

For England, Mat Turner has produced performances of a consistently high level. Operating from the scrum-half position and out wide, his pace off the mark and eye for a gap has often lifted his side and his was the telling contribution when Ben Ryan’s men retained the Cup title in Dubai, and reached the final in Glasgow.

"Between them, these three players perfectly sum up the skill, excitement, pace and power on show in our magnificent Olympic game of Rugby Sevens," said IRB Chairman, Bernard Lapasset.

"All three have been outstanding players and sportsmen this season and to be shortlisted by the teams they have played against shows just how significant their individual contributions have been."

You can vote on the IRB Sevens Player of the Year 2012 on the IRB’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/irbsevens

England finish third in Wellington after extra-time agony

Posted on Feb 5, 2012 in England, English Rugby, Sevens

England claimed third place at the Hertz Sevens in Wellington after an agonising semi final defeat in sudden-death extra time against New Zealand.

Frank Halai’s try condemned them to a 17-12 reverse sending them into the play-off against Samoa.

Playmaker Christian Lewis-Pratt touched down twice – converting both his own tries – and Isoa Damudamu scored the clincher with Marcus Watson converting in a 21-12 win against the Islanders.

England climb one place to third in the overall HSBC Sevens World Series standings as a result, after picking up 17 points. They trail New Zealand – who beat Fiji 24-7 in the final – by nine heading into next weekend’s USA Sevens in Las Vegas, the fifth leg of the nine-event series.

“Our performances were really positive, we felt we and New Zealand were the best two teams and we’re so close now,” said head coach Ben Ryan.

“We’re at the stage now that when we don’t win a tournament  we feel disappointed. We’ve played New Zealand four times this season, won one and they’ve won three by a single score and that’s the difference between first place and third place.

“What was outstanding was the way we picked ourselves up for the third-place play-off and bounced back. It’s the first time we’ve won one having lost in Delhi [at the Commonwealth Games] and in Port Elizabeth.

“We now need a strong second week going to Las Vegas, we’ve got 12 guys fit and healthy and we’re ready to give it a good crack there.”

Earlier England had brushed aside Tonga 26-7 at the quarter final stage reach the last four.

Dan Norton, Mat Turner and captain Greg Barden all touched down in an impressive first half display – Christian Lewis-Pratt adding two conversions – and a second converted Turner try after the break put them out of sight with Daniel Kilioni scoring a last-minute consolation.

Then came a dramatic showdown with New Zealand in front of a sold-out Westpac Stadium crowd.

England dominated the first half with former Royal Marine Barden outflanking the cover for the first try and Chris Cracknell powering his way over for the second with Lewis-Pratt’s conversion putting them 12-0 up at the break.

Charles Piutau pulled one back mid-way through the second half before All Black Hosea Gear came off the bench to strike with the equalising score while James Rodwell was in the sin bin.

Both sides had chances in extra time before Halai – the leading try scorer in the series – sprinted 40 metres to win it.

HSBC Sevens World Series standings (top 8): 1 New Zealand 73, 2 Fiji 70, 3 England 64, 4 South Africa 61, 5 France 49, 6 Samoa 47, 7 Australia 45, 8 Wales 41.

Changes to New Zealand Sevens trialists

Posted on Jan 17, 2012 in NZ, Sevens

New Zealand Sevens Coach Gordon Tietjens has made five changes to his trial squad that will assemble in Mount Maunganui today.

Manawatu’s Rob Thompson, Waikato’s Steve Ketu, Tasman’s Shane Christie, Wellington’s George Tilsley and Auckland’s Ben Paltridge have been called into the trial squad as replacements.

Counties Manukau’s Ahsee Tuala, North Harbour’s Ken Pisi, Tasman’s James Lowe and Auckland’s Nathan Hughes are all now unavailable for the trial.

Waikato’s Frank Halai will not attend the trial due to a bereavement.

The sevens trialists are:

Toby	Arnold	Bay of Plenty
Tomasi	Cama	Manawatu
Shane	Christie	Tasman
Frazier	Climo	Taranaki
Scott	Curry	Bay of Plenty
Matt	Faddes	Otago
DJ	Forbes	Counties Manukau
Bryce	Heem	Auckland
Joe	Hill	Otago
Mark	Jackman	Hawke’s Bay
Steve	Ketu	Waikato
Solomon	King	North Harbour
Warwick	Lahmert	Taranaki
Jono	Malo	Waikato
Tim	Mikkelson	Waikato
Kieran	Moffat	Otago
Waisake	Naholo	Taranaki
Kylem	O’Donnell	Taranaki
Ben	Paltridge	Auckland
Charles	Piutau	Auckland
Lote	Raikabula	Wellington
Glen	Robertson	Waikato
Ardie	Savea	Wellington
Ben	Souness	Taranaki
George	Tilsley	Wellington
Rob	Thompson	Manawatu
Nafi	Tuitavake	North Harbour
Lolagi	Visinia	Auckland
Joe	Webber	Waikato
Jack	Wilson	Bay of Plenty

Referee Luke Pearce on fast track in HSBC Sevens World Series

Posted on Oct 21, 2011 in English Rugby, RFU

Young English referee Luke Pearce has been appointed to the IRB panel of officials taking charge of matches in this season’s HSBC Sevens World Series.

Pearce, 23, will work at six of the nine series tournaments, starting with the New Zealand International Sevens at Wellington on February 3-4 next year.

It continues the Devon referee’s rapid progress since his elevation into the Elite Referee Unit 12 months ago.

Pearce, from Exeter, made his first Aviva Premiership appearance at Kingsholm in charge of Gloucester Rugby v Worcester Warriors last month and his development has also seen him appointed to matches in France as part of the RFU/FFR exchange programme.

He will be joined on the sevens circuit by former Test official Steve Lander, who is the new IRB Sevens Referee Manager.

Pearce said: “I’m looking forward to taking part in the HSBC Sevens World Series, starting with Wellington and Las Vegas in February, then Hong Kong and Japan before the tournaments in Edinburgh and London.

“It’s a step up in terms of international experience, performing in front of large crowds and in the insight it can give you into different technical areas – like the tackle – that you can take back into the 15-a-side game.”

Ed Morrison, the RFU’s Head of Elite Referee Development, said: “We’re very pleased for Luke and it’s an important part of his personal development.

“The intensity of the tournaments and the pace of the game, in front of massive crowds, will be essential in adding to his experience and being involved in that environment will play an important role in enhancing his ability to succeed in the demanding 15-a-side game.

“This season Luke has taken charge of two games in the Premiership and worked in France as well and he’s developing well. We’ve had very positive feedback about his performances.”

Morrison added: “We wish Steve Lander every success too and his experience and knowledge will be invaluable in developing these referees. I know he’s looking forward to the challenge of his new role and it’s an exciting time for sevens with the sports inclusion in the Olympics now less than five years away.”

Odejobi set for England Sevens debut in Las Vegas

Posted on Feb 11, 2011 in Rugby News

Former England Under 20 wing Mark Odejobi is set to make his England Sevens debut in Las Vegas this weekend.

The 23-year-old from London has been called up for the USA Sevens to replace Isoa Damudamu, who returned home after last weekend’s NZI Sevens in Wellington for treatment to a shoulder injury.

Odejobi joins an England side riding high at the top of the HSBC Sevens World Series after one tournament win and two runners-up places in the first three stages of the eight event series.

"Mark’s played in a Junior World Championship final on the wing, played for England’s age group teams and has trained with us for the last year," said head coach Ben Ryan.

"It’s a great opportunity for him to establish himself and he’s a powerful player."

Odejobi, who has played for Esher this season in the RFU Championship, joined the side earlier this week for a key stage in the series and a unique tournament.

England triumphed in the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens but were beaten in George and Wellington by New Zealand, going down 29-14 in last weekend’s final, something Ryan’s side want to make amends for in Nevada in front of a live NBC TV audience.

On Saturday, they face Guyana (5.24pm), France (9.40pm) and Argentina (12.51am Sunday) in Pool A on the opening day with Kenya the likely quarter final opponents (5am Sunday) if they top the group.

"Everything’s different in Vegas," said Ryan. "We play with a different ball on a narrow pitch and with four games [rather than three] on day one but we knew about all that in advance and it’s important that we maintain the consistency we’ve shown so far this season.

"New Zealand have come back at us over the last two legs and have had the upper hand so now we want to rewind and get back to where we were in Dubai."

England do have the advantage of being led by points machine Ben Gollings, who is on the threshold of another staggering sevens landmark in Vegas.

The captain has a world record 2,495 series points – including 210 tries – banked since his series debut in 1999 and should go through the 2,500 barrier on the opening day.

A measure of achievement is how far ahead of the opposition Gollings now is. In second place is the Fijian legend Waisale Serevi, nearly 1,200 points behind.

England Sevens
Greg Barden (Royal Navy)
John Brake (England Sevens)
Dan Caprice (England Sevens)
Chris Cracknell (England Sevens)
Ben Gollings (England Sevens)
Simon Hunt (Birmingham & Solihull)
Nick Royle (England Sevens)
Dan Norton (Bristol Rugby)
Mark Odejobi (Unattached)
Tom Powell (England Sevens)
James Rodwell (England Sevens)
Mathew Turner (England Sevens)