Wednesday, December 09, 2009
New Zealand win the Dubai Sevens final against Samoa
The NZ Sevens side had a disappointing series last season following injuries and loss of form. This first outing back shows that theyre once again going to be a handful over the next few months.
"I thought we might have been a bit undercooked," New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens said of the decision not to enter his side into any pre-Dubai warm-up tournaments.
"But you put in the work and you reap the riches. The players have put everything into this win. What really pleased me was winning so well today in all three matches."
They beat Kenya 17-14 in a tense quarter final, then cruised past Fiji in the semi, beating them 19-0. In the final, they got off to a good start as they went 10-0 up after tries from Tomasi Cama and captain DJ Forbes.
Samoa fought back though to get a 12-10 lead after tries scored by Reupena Levasa and Mikaele Pesamino early in the second half. Manawatu youngster Kurt Baker then scored a nice try, before Cama sealed the win with his second.
"That's sevens rugby. They bounced back but we had the winning mentality," Tietjens said.
The series now heads to George in South Africa for the second leg this coming weekend. The home side, champions last season, will probably be favourites, but New Zealand will hope to carry over some of their good form.
"You've got to be out there and work really hard," Tietjens said. "Starting well is a bonus because if you start slowly it's a real struggle to get up. Consistency is about winning tournaments and also consistency of performance is about doing well.
"You're never going to win every tournament; it's not going to happen. But you've got to be a real contender when it comes to the series."
Time: 07:32
Posted at 11:45 am | 26 comments
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Viewing 26 comments
Tia December 09, 2009 1:29 pm
yeah, a another 7's win for the best rugby nation in the world.
Phil December 09, 2009 1:50 pm
someone needs to chop off that atrocious tail lol
congrats to the kiwis though!
congrats to the kiwis though!
Tia December 09, 2009 1:56 pm
choice thanks bro. yeah, when we are on no one plays this game better.
Feargal December 09, 2009 2:21 pm
I don't care if they won. A bleached rat's tail. And all the mullets. Good God.
The Inside Shoulder December 09, 2009 2:28 pm
That guys haircut makes me feel ill
Tia December 09, 2009 2:36 pm
what is this, the fashion police, comment on the game you lady-boys.
Shaft December 09, 2009 3:16 pm
Why so much negativity?
I watched the match. It was awesome. Tight but then the kiwis ran away with it.
The guy with the hairstyle the fashion police are talking about, Baker, is incredibly quick and talented by the way. You'll see more of him in future, so broaden your minds a little and judge what he does on the field please.
Congrats to NZ, and Samoa for making the final and giving NZ a good go.
I watched the match. It was awesome. Tight but then the kiwis ran away with it.
The guy with the hairstyle the fashion police are talking about, Baker, is incredibly quick and talented by the way. You'll see more of him in future, so broaden your minds a little and judge what he does on the field please.
Congrats to NZ, and Samoa for making the final and giving NZ a good go.
mike December 09, 2009 5:16 pm
Anyone know why they did the haka at the end there? I thought the whole idea behind it was to welcome a challenge from the other side?
...seems a little silly to do it after you've already one.
Anyways, looked like a pretty entertaining match. Well played, New Zealand!
...seems a little silly to do it after you've already one.
Anyways, looked like a pretty entertaining match. Well played, New Zealand!
Anonymous December 09, 2009 6:38 pm
thought no one could beat the Aussie hair cuts,but that is atrocious.
They might play the beter rugby in the south but there hair counts for shit.
They might play the beter rugby in the south but there hair counts for shit.
FrankyH December 09, 2009 7:46 pm
Mike, it's some kind of tradition that the NZ Sevens side do whenever they win a tournament. They ONLY do it for the tournament win, never before or after any other matches. And they always do it with their shirts off.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but one of my earliest memories of seeing this was when Jonah played in the Commonwealth games, and they won then. 1996 I think maybe?
If I'm correct, it was just done for a bit of fun for the crowd, as is pretty much the reason why it's done these days. Fun, celebration, and showmanship. :)
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but one of my earliest memories of seeing this was when Jonah played in the Commonwealth games, and they won then. 1996 I think maybe?
If I'm correct, it was just done for a bit of fun for the crowd, as is pretty much the reason why it's done these days. Fun, celebration, and showmanship. :)
Anonymous December 09, 2009 8:02 pm
Good game, but good God... Their liable to forfeit the match cause of that head of hair.
Mulletboi December 09, 2009 8:38 pm
Rattys and mullets.. us kiwis do what we want
Anonymous December 09, 2009 9:45 pm
Samoa dont have their 7's big stars n yet they came close to winnin it :) well done to both team
Anonymous December 09, 2009 10:44 pm
YEAH! WE DID IT! This is an example of why us NZanders are the best at rugby! YEAH!
uktrading09 December 09, 2009 11:08 pm
They are a great team and a great team, hut a topless Haka? Come on. V.good result for Samoa also
Anonymous December 09, 2009 11:29 pm
anybody know whats up with tomasi cama and his wrist tap and the end of his 2 tries? is that just him showing off or what?
Anonymous December 10, 2009 2:34 am
Worst haircut going but it was a nice try he scored.
The whole thing reeks of Dubai fakery though. Doing the haka to the tv cameras after the game when the crowd have gone home, with the 'sexy' air hostesses looking on in their oh so stylish burka inspired uniforms! Comedy.
Congrats to the kiwis though.
The whole thing reeks of Dubai fakery though. Doing the haka to the tv cameras after the game when the crowd have gone home, with the 'sexy' air hostesses looking on in their oh so stylish burka inspired uniforms! Comedy.
Congrats to the kiwis though.
Phil December 10, 2009 9:11 am
Opinions are allowed it's just that we'd all appreciate you toning down the arrogance.
We can both support Australia without shoving it down everyone's throats and acting all high and mighty.
And just because not as many Australians were included in the Barbarians team or the fact we didn't win the Sevens finals doesn't make it less of a game.
Ultimately, losing gracefully says just as much about your character as winning with class.
We can both support Australia without shoving it down everyone's throats and acting all high and mighty.
And just because not as many Australians were included in the Barbarians team or the fact we didn't win the Sevens finals doesn't make it less of a game.
Ultimately, losing gracefully says just as much about your character as winning with class.
Leonidas December 10, 2009 10:24 am
Rats tail haircuts = Spartans from the 300 movie haha
Thats the reason for the trend folks...
see Super 14 players, Lauaki, Masaga et al for futher evidence
In a loud deep voice: "What is your profession?"
LOL
Thats the reason for the trend folks...
see Super 14 players, Lauaki, Masaga et al for futher evidence
In a loud deep voice: "What is your profession?"
LOL
No.7 December 10, 2009 10:29 am
THIS IS SPARTA!!! SPARTANS ATTACK!!!! I'm funny :P
OlWakaChangChang December 10, 2009 11:53 am
The NZ sevens team is not the All Blacks RD
Shaft December 10, 2009 12:38 pm
^ semantics.
I've heard the SA & Aus sides also be referred to as the Springboks & Wallabys in Sevens.
I've heard the SA & Aus sides also be referred to as the Springboks & Wallabys in Sevens.
Anarchangel December 12, 2009 7:19 pm
FrankyH,
Yep, you're exactly right about the Haka. After they win a tournament, and after all the prizes have been handed out, the NZ Sevens team* do a haka in front of the Kiwi section of the crowd as a thank you to their supporters.
*Yeah, not the ABs, even though I always take a ABs flag when I go.
Yep, you're exactly right about the Haka. After they win a tournament, and after all the prizes have been handed out, the NZ Sevens team* do a haka in front of the Kiwi section of the crowd as a thank you to their supporters.
*Yeah, not the ABs, even though I always take a ABs flag when I go.
Anarchangel December 12, 2009 7:21 pm
And where are all the 7s haters from that other thread now eh? Did all the offloads, team tries and try-saving tackles undermine their arguments? How sad.
Sevens may not be the 15 man game, but it allows new nations to compete and will grow the game globally in a way that 15-a-side can't.
Sevens may not be the 15 man game, but it allows new nations to compete and will grow the game globally in a way that 15-a-side can't.
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