'The benchmark': What makes the Black Ferns 7s 'brilliant'
The Black Ferns Sevens extended their lead at the top of the World Series standings with an incredible triumph at the Sydney Sevens last weekend.
New Zealand put more daylight between themselves and second-placed Australia, who “choked” in the quarterfinals against eventual runners-up France.
The Trans-Tasman rivals have made Cup Finals a habit over the last few years, and appeared to be heading towards another blockbuster at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.
Both teams eased through pool play – as expected – and were labelled as the favourite favourites for their sudden death clashes.
But home crowd favourites Australia lost in a thriller.
It was the upset of the tournament; and may go down in history as the most stunning result from this year’s World Series campaign.
Australia lost by five to Les Bleus, while New Zealand were dominant in their second clash against Japan on Day Two.
The Black Ferns scored 109 points across their three knockout matches, but impressively, they didn’t concede a single point in return.
To say they were dominant is an understatement.
Following their epic run at the Sydney Sevens, Stan Sport commentator Andrew Swain while New Zealand are now the World Series “benchmark” compared to a “disappointing” Australian side.
“The Aussies had a pretty ordinary tournament to be fair, they really choked I’ve got to say over the course of the three days,” Swain told SENZ The Run Home.
“But the Black Ferns were brilliant.
“It’s the new generation of women coming through isn’t it, the Jorja Miller’s of the world that really stood out over the last fortnight and to get (three) gold medals on the trot (is impressive).
“The Aussie women not really picking up too many competition points over the last two weeks and really disappointing (showed) they’ve really got the jump on the Aussies now I think, the Black Ferns, and (are) bringing through the new generation of women as well.”
Teenager Jorja Miller stole the show in New Zealand’s 35-nil win over France, as she was crowned the Player of the Final.
The 18-year-old has only played 24 matches in the coveted black jersey, but has already become a key part of the team – and is certainly a superstar is the making.
As Swain discussed, that’s what makes the women in black so good: they’re “able to reinvent the wheel.”
“They’re just somehow able to reinvent the wheel and excel at the highest level constantly, and we over this side of the ditch, we actually look at them in awe because they’re brilliant,” he added.
“We love our Aussie Women’s Sevens team as well and they’ve got some great new talent coming through, but the Black Ferns are really the benchmark at the moment.”
The Black Ferns Sevens will take the field in early March as the World Series heads to Vancouver.
New Zealand will be eager to win their fourth women’s Cup Final in as many events, which would see them extend their 12-point lead on the World Series by even more.
As for the men, they’ll look to defend their Sydney Sevens crown in Los Angeles on February 25-26.
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No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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