HK Sevens Pool Result: NZ 24-24 Portugal

Didn't see the game. The Hong Kong crowd must have been going mad. Portugal had a conversion to win at the end but missed. Portugal had a yellow card early in the game too, which makes their performance all the more remarkable.

You'd still bet on NZ going through but they have to defeat Australia now. If they lose, and Portugal beat Scotland, then they might miss out.

It's a credit to the NZ set-up that this result would be a surprise, but not a complete shock, against almost any other side.

Great result for Portugal.

World back on its axis. New Zealand beat Australia, and Portugal couldn't overcome Scotland anyway.

Meanwhile, England drew with USA, which means they only qualify for the final cup rounds in second place. There was a time when drawing with USA would have been a shock result but England have gone backwards in sevens, while other nations appear to have stepped up a gear.

Portugal beat Australia in the pool rounds in Tokyo. Scot;and also defeated them. which means they Australians are already out of the Cup competition in this round.

Must have been a bad referee

NEW ZEALAND 7S 15 - 19 CANADA 7S

New Zealand knocked out of the Main Cup 1/4 finals by Canada!!!

WOW, that must be some great Canada side to do that.

Just regarding the rugby 7s how many go on to play 15 a side for their country. Watching South Africa playing today just wandered what happend to the guy (stick) forgot his first name. Is he still playing, rugby in the 15 aside game? Do not think i have seen him p-lay for South Africa.

LondonTiger wrote:NEW ZEALAND 7S 15 - 19 CANADA 7S

New Zealand knocked out of the Main Cup 1/4 finals by Canada!!!

First ever Vancouver 7s on the world circuit next year…..Canada are shoite at 15s but a decent 7s side obviously

England win the Cup. A bit unexpected!

Well done lads

Sevens is going to throw up some interesting results as we near the Olympics. Additional resourcing is being provided for it and NZ is just continuing to mostly what it does. Fact is other sides are getting stronger. We've lost to many sides who either have lowly rated or almost non existent xv sides, Kenya, Canada and the draw with Portugal.

The nature of sevens means that's going to happen as sides get stronger. It's a much harder game to completely dominate with it's time limit and nature where a lot can happen in a very short time.

Makes for a very interesting sport.

I like Fijis position best of all with Ben Ryan in charge.

Agree that the balance of power can shift much more quickly in 7s than 15s.

England have been mediocre for a while but I guess they just clicked (didn't see any of the tournament this weekend).

This is how Canada did it:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjBJetr1bzM

Not surprised Tokyo lost their position in the sevens calendar. I know it was raining but that's a very poor turn-out.

Cyril wrote:Agree that the balance of power can shift much more quickly in 7s than 15s.

England have been mediocre for a while but I guess they just clicked (didn't see any of the tournament this weekend).

I don't really know why we have been relatively poor for so long. That's our first title in two years, which is a long time for a sevens team with ambitions to be champions.

Australia's failure in Tokyo means that England are now in fourth spot with two rounds to go. If we can stay ahead of Australia for two more rounds, then we get automatic qualification for Rio. I'm a bit torn over that outcome because it might suggest our sevens plan is working, but the evidence of the last few years is that it doesn't regularly deliver titles in the manner of NZ, SA and Fiji. I'd rather we had a rethink before Rio.

Rugby Fan wrote:This is how Canada did it:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjBJetr1bzM

Not surprised Tokyo lost their position in the sevens calendar. I know it was raining but that's a very poor turn-out.

Cyril wrote:Agree that the balance of power can shift much more quickly in 7s than 15s.

England have been mediocre for a while but I guess they just clicked (didn't see any of the tournament this weekend).

I don't really know why we have been relatively poor for so long. That's our first title in two years, which is a long time for a sevens team with ambitions to be champions.

Australia's failure in Tokyo means that England are now in fourth spot with two rounds to go. If we can stay ahead of Australia for two more rounds, then we get automatic qualification for Rio. I'm a bit torn over that outcome because it might suggest our sevens plan is working, but the evidence of the last few years is that it doesn't regularly deliver titles in the manner of NZ, SA and Fiji. I'd rather we had a rethink before Rio.

I think you may find it is GB that would get qualification unless UKIP get in and does Scotland and Wales a great service

It was obvious some countries would get stronger, USA have come on in leaps and bounds, Canada have been strong for several years, Scotland have improved greatly whilst Wales have gone in reverse this year. Gold medals are the carrot obviously. It will be interesting to see if any country rolls out it's big boys come Rio which would, in my opinion be a disgusting move.

England are the qualifying team, but yes the team going to Olympics, if England qualify will be Great Britain and could include players from Scotland and Wales.

LondonTiger wrote:England are the qualifying team, but yes the team going to Olympics, if England qualify will be Great Britain and could include players from Scotland and Wales.

I do not think England would have control on the players picked and there are players in the Scottish side worthy of a place. As for Wales none of them deserve a place to be honest. There again could GB be the ones to call up the big guns? Hope not.

rainbow-warrior wrote:I do not think England would have control on the players picked

Joe Lydon is in charge of the GB sevens effort, so they will.

Interesting couple of articles on the confusion over the GB effort. One from last year, and one from a couple of months ago.

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/features/columnists/nick-cain/17825/nick-cain-talks-to-joe-lydon-and-mike-friday-about-the-gb-challenge-in-the-rio-olympics-sevens/

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/features/columnists/nick-cain/21115/nick-cains-column-were-on-the-wrong-road-to-rio-with-joe-lydon/

I know Ireland don't have a 7s side, but (theoretically) could NI players be picked?

Rugby Fan wrote:World back on its axis. New Zealand beat Australia, and Portugal couldn't overcome Scotland anyway.

Meanwhile, England drew with USA, which means they only qualify for the final cup rounds in second place. There was a time when drawing with USA would have been a shock result but England have gone backwards in sevens, while other nations appear to have stepped up a gear.

Oooppps RF, time to reflect I think.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

Rugby Fan wrote:World back on its axis. New Zealand beat Australia, and Portugal couldn't overcome Scotland anyway.

Meanwhile, England drew with USA, which means they only qualify for the final cup rounds in second place. There was a time when drawing with USA would have been a shock result but England have gone backwards in sevens, while other nations appear to have stepped up a gear.

Oooppps RF, time to reflect I think.

Not really. We used to win tournaments regularly, but Tokyo is our first for two years. This puts us up to fourth in this year's standings and we could still end up behind Australia in fifth if they do better than us in the last two rounds. The year before saw us finish sixth, which was our worst result since 2000.

LondonTiger wrote:England are the qualifying team, but yes the team going to Olympics, if England qualify will be Great Britain and could include players from Scotland and Wales.

Its a GB team yes? Therefore it must include players from GB.

Could include players from Wales and Scotland not must. NI is a funny 1 here given Ireland normally play as 1 team not heard whats happening.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Could include players from Wales and Scotland not must. NI is a funny 1 here given Ireland normally play as 1 team not heard whats happening.

When they were talking about golf being an Olympic sport, McIlroy was asked if he would represent GB or the Republic. He stated that he did not want to make such a decision. The fact that he was asked would indicate the players born in NI could represent a GB team.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:Could include players from Wales and Scotland not must. NI is a funny 1 here given Ireland normally play as 1 team not heard whats happening.

When they were talking about golf being an Olympic sport, McIlroy was asked if he would represent GB or the Republic. He stated that he did not want to make such a decision. The fact that he was asked would indicate the players born in NI could represent a GB team.

I imagine it could be a tricky one for someone like McIlroy with a proper choice. For NI rugby players though, unless Ireland formed a side to compete in a near-future Olympics, it wouldn't be like they would be choosing Ireland or GB. It would just be a chance to play 7s for their nation at an Olympics.

Team GB actually represents the UK but N Irish have dual citizenship so can elect to represent UK or Ireland apparently. That said an article from 2011 I ve just read says any rugby players will only represent Ireland if the Irish Union have their way.

The Irish union should only really be able to put pressure on their NI players if there was an All-Ireland 7s side. Otherwise you're just saying you can't play 7s in an Olympics.

Gwlad wrote:

Its a GB team yes? Therefore it must include players from GB.

It doesn't have to include players from outside of England though, there is no quota system.

I also think the days when you could just drop in some 'big guns' and expect it to work without a great deal of preparation are gone

Cyril wrote:I know Ireland don't have a 7s side, but (theoretically) could NI players be picked?

Ireland does now have a 7s side. They will try and qualify for Rio, through the European qualifying tournament... but a more realistic aim is 2020. http://www.the42.ie/ireland-sevens-rio-olympics-1985116-Mar2015/

Steve_rugby wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Its a GB team yes? Therefore it must include players from GB.

It doesn't have to include players from outside of England though, there is no quota system.

...........so in reality the same for the Lion's then, no quota system but my God the whingers crawl out from behind their rocks then don't they!!

Steve_rugby wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Its a GB team yes? Therefore it must include players from GB.

It doesn't have to include players from outside of England though, there is no quota system.

Then it wouldn't be team GB would it? Sure the selectors aren't as myopic as you.

Gwlad wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

It doesn't have to include players from outside of England though, there is no quota system.

Then it wouldn't be team GB would it? Sure the selectors aren't as myopic as you.

Yes it would.  

Gwlad's been on a little wum ramble then! You can tell it's the holidays and mummy is letting him stay up!

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

Cyril wrote:I know Ireland don't have a 7s side, but (theoretically) could NI players be picked?

Ireland does now have a 7s side. They will try and qualify for Rio, through the European qualifying tournament... but a more realistic aim is 2020. http://www.the42.ie/ireland-sevens-rio-olympics-1985116-Mar2015/

I stand corrected (said the man in the orthopaedic shoe)

Cheers. I'd forgotten about this tournament. So, there could potentially be a choice to make then, I guess.

Steve_rugby wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

It doesn't have to include players from outside of England though, there is no quota system.

Then it wouldn't be team GB would it? Sure the selectors aren't as myopic as you.

Yes it would.  

No it wouldn't

Why wouldnt it?

I guess we have to hand back the Olympic Womens Curling medals, being as how they cannot be representing team GB either.

Gwlad wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

It doesn't have to include players from outside of England though, there is no quota system.

Then it wouldn't be team GB would it? Sure the selectors aren't as myopic as you.

Yes it would.  

No it wouldn't

Yes it would, as all players would be from GB

Steve_rugby wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

It doesn't have to include players from outside of England though, there is no quota system.

Then it wouldn't be team GB would it? Sure the selectors aren't as myopic as you.

Yes it would.  

No it wouldn't

Yes it would, as all players would be from GB

No it wouldn't.

Gwlad wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

It doesn't have to include players from outside of England though, there is no quota system.

Then it wouldn't be team GB would it? Sure the selectors aren't as myopic as you.

Yes it would.  

No it wouldn't

Yes it would, as all players would be from GB

No it wouldn't.

Yes it would.

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

It doesn't have to include players from outside of England though, there is no quota system.

Then it wouldn't be team GB would it? Sure the selectors aren't as myopic as you.

Yes it would.  

No it wouldn't

Yes it would, as all players would be from GB

No it wouldn't.

Yes it would.

Behind you !!!

rainbow-warrior wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

It doesn't have to include players from outside of England though, there is no quota system.

Then it wouldn't be team GB would it? Sure the selectors aren't as myopic as you.

Yes it would.  

No it wouldn't

Yes it would, as all players would be from GB

No it wouldn't.

Yes it would.

Behind you !!!

No you're not.

Galted wrote:

rainbow-warrior wrote:

aucklandlaurie wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

Steve_rugby wrote:

It doesn't have to include players from outside of England though, there is no quota system.

Then it wouldn't be team GB would it? Sure the selectors aren't as myopic as you.

Yes it would.  

No it wouldn't

Yes it would, as all players would be from GB

No it wouldn't.

Yes it would.

Behind you !!!

No you're not.

Yes he is

Ohhhh no he isn't !

USA just beat Australia 14-7 in the Cup quarter finals in Glasgow.

That could help England if they manage to beat Canada in their own quarter-final, since it will mean Australia won't close the gap on their overall fourth place standing. Only the top four qualify automatically for Rio.

England did manage a 14-7 win over Canada but it wasn't pretty, and they had to come from behind. Still, they'll get points for making the Cup semi-final. Even if Australia win the plate, and England only get fourth in Glasgow, the overall tournament points difference between the sides will widen to 11.

With that difference, if Australia win the next round, then England can afford to be no better than a Plate runner-up and still qualify for Rio.

South Africa have just beaten Australia in the plate semi, so I think they'll get just 10 points for this round. England are due to get at least 15, so the nine point tournament gap will widen to at least fourteen points.

England finished third, which I think means they have opened up a sixteen point gap over Australia. That's a handy cushion to have with only one round left.

Fiji are leading the tournament, having overtaken South Africa in Glasgow, who ended up in the Plate competition. Fiji have a chance to go further ahead if they beat New Zealand in the final.

Fiji beat New Zealand in a great final.

With Ben Ryan coaching Fiji, and Mike Friday at Team USA, three of the top four sides in Glasgow were coached by Englishmen.

It's a good job England have done well this year, it would have been a struggle to qualify for the Olympics if we had to rely on the other GB mainland countries.