It might already seem so long ago but the last week saw the 7s at Rio. Also there was Currie Cup action to cover. Here’s my review of all the action.
Women’s 7s
Gold – Australia
Silver – New Zealand
Bronze – Canada
4th – Great Britain
The women’s event followed the form we saw in the World Series. Australia were the dominant side and fully deserved to take Gold. New Zealand didn’t take a tournament but were there abouts all season. Finally the 2 sides that did take tournaments fought it out for the Bronze medal.
The big question is how does World Rugby and the unions take advantage of the extra exposure the Olympics created? We really need more stops on the World Tour for the ladies and it’s great to hear noises coming out of Australia that they are looking to host one. France were the only Tier 1 nation to histone this year and you’d hope that some of the others would step up.
Men’s 7s
Gold – Fiji
Silver – Great Britain
Bronze – South Africa
4th – Japan
Fiji entertained the wold and confirmed that they are the top side by some distance. Great Britain did fantastically as many people including myself thought that they had come together too late. In the end they played amazing defence and their lack of time together showed more on attack.
Japan were the great surprise, they weren’t even on the World Series this season! They have qualified for next year and their wins over New Zealand and Kenya were real giant killings. Both those sides have won stops on the World Series this year.
New Zealand and the USA were the biggest disappointments. New Zealand were hampered by 2 injuries in their first game and never recovered from losing to Japan. The USA didn’t even get out of the group stages which will be disappointing for World Rugby. This was supposed to be another big step in breaking into the largest market in the world. I think there is enough momentum in American rugby but this will have been a set back.
Currie Cup
Eastern Province Kings 10 – 28 Boland Cavaliers
Sharks 46 – 24 Griquas
Lions 68 – 26 Pumas
Cheetahs 43 – 20 Blue Bulls
4 from 4, I’m 100% so far!
It is early days with only 2 rounds gone but both the Cheetahs and Sharks have 2 wins with the Lions also unbeaten in their only game. Already though it looks like being a long season for the Kings and sides that don’t host a Super Rugby side. So far the Cavaliers are the only side to register a win and that was over the Kings.
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