Vegas here we come...
TV commentator Nigel Starmer-Smith looks back on Wellington and ahead to the USA Sevens in Las Vegas, Round 5 of the IRB Sevens World Series.
You have to say that with that victory in NZ – their second in as many events – New Zealand start as favourites in Vegas. They’ve got that depth of strength in their squad and, canny as he is, Gordon Tietjens brought in guys who just slotted in. Having lost Toby Arnold to an ACL injury on day one, one of the new boys Mark Jackman looked very accomplished and was tactically very sound in the final.
And in that final it was all wrapped up before the first half was done because they adapted better to the conditions. It was pouring with rain and so in came the tactical kicking, mostly from the brilliant Tomasi Cama, that sent Fiji backwards time and again.
And crucially, as ever, their defence was so strong. It was rock solid across the field. When Fiji played their best rugby at the beginning they just came up against this barrage of black and when they didn’t get anywhere I thought their shoulders went down.
Particularly impressive as well was Frank Halai – shades of Jonah Lomu with all his power – and equally Tomasi Cama is just mesmeric. He’s the little general, always taking the right options and gelling it all together. Just a magical rugby player and Gordon Tietjens was singing his praises – again – after the game.
So we go to Las Vegas for the USA Sevens and it’s such a tough draw for the USA, who you have to say disappointed in Wellington losing all five of their matches.
The expectation is there, the application is there, the conditioning is there – they may well be as fit as any team out there – but at the moment they just seem to lack that playing talent and that rugby brain you need in the game of Sevens.
They will improve, of course, and we’ve seen in the past how they do raise themselves for their home event.
Finally, some advice for, Brazil, Olympic hosts of Sevens in four years and lining up on the World Series for the first time since 2002. Don’t miss your tackles boys!.. You are going to be on the back foot in Vegas but go for it, take risks and be confident.
And if you are down on the scoreboard… well just keep making your tackles!
Day One schedule:
(Kick-off is local time – GMT minus 8 hours)
Match 1: Fiji v Argentina, 16.00
Match 2: Canada v United States, 16.22
Match 3: France v Wales, 16.44
Match 4: South Africa v Uruguay, 17.06
Match 5: Kenya v Scotland, 17.28
Match 6: England v Brazil, 17.50
Match 7: New Zealand v Australia, 18.12
Match 8: Samoa v Japan, 18.34
Match 9: Fiji v United States, 18.56
Match 10: Canada v Argentina, 19.18
Match 11: France v Uruguay, 19.40
Match 12: South Africa v Wales, 20.02
Match 13: Kenya v Brazil, 20.24
Match 14: England v Scotland, 20.46
Match 15:: New Zealand v Japan, 21.08
Match 16: Samoa v Australia, 21.30
Match 17: United States v Cook Islands, 18.54
Match 18: Argentina v Tonga, 19.14
Match 19: Canada v Kenya, 19.36
Match 20: Scotland v Japan, 20.28
Match 21: South Africa v England, 20.50
Match 22: Fiji v Wales, 21.12
Match 23: France v Australia, 21.34
Match 24: New Zealand v Samoa, 21.56
