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Rugby 7s general chat

Dctarget

John Eales (66)
I know the Aussie selectors have got their eyes on a few wallabies who didn't make the RWC squad to help through Olympic qualifying this year. Will be interesting if they get their way or are blocked by Scotty Johnson

Any potential names?
I'd be looking at Maddocks, Banks, Valentini also Leota from the Rebels.
 

RugbyReg

Rocky Elsom (76)
Staff member
Maddocks, Phipps and Samu would be strong candidates. Phipps and Samu have played plenty of 7s. Not sure about Maddocks but he does bring a bit of x-factor. Agree Banks would be a good candidate too.
 

Dctarget

John Eales (66)
Valentini/Leota wouldnt even be close to having the motor for international 7s even with a couple of months training (qualifiers are early Nov)

Valentini maybe a stretch, but Leota has great speed and stamina. Would've thought he'd fit in that J. Skelton role.

I don't follow 7s too closely, do all men in the team need to light and quick? Or can you have some big boppers who aren't as fit/dynamic.
 

Jimmy_Crouch

Ken Catchpole (46)
Valentini maybe a stretch, but Leota has great speed and stamina. Would've thought he'd fit in that J. Skelton role.

I don't follow 7s too closely, do all men in the team need to light and quick? Or can you have some big boppers who aren't as fit/dynamic.


Jesse Parahi/Sam Myres would be the biggest in the Aussie team at about 105kgs. These two have been the backbone of the team for a number of years but are on their way out and certainly don't play the minutes they once did.

The next batch (in terms of size) would be Anstee, Anderson, Kennewell, Killingworth and Malouf <100kgs but >90kgs with pretty much all others being <90kgs.

Id imagine Leota would have to drop 10/15kgs but it isn't just weight, it's body composition.
 

Oldschool

Jim Clark (26)
Isn't there an internal trial/comp at the end of the month? I would think anyone they are looking at or wanting to be involved would be in Sydney for it.
 

Uh huh

Alfred Walker (16)
I'd be chasing Samu, McDermott, Wright, and Wright (not a typo).

Considering the Brumbies are sure to be donating Cusack to the cause, they might be reluctant to give up another back rower though (let alone two - with the suggestion of Valetini).
 

Adam84

Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Australia currently at risk of missing qualification for the Olympics, down 12-0 to Samoa in the Oceania Cup at half time
 

Dctarget

John Eales (66)
Australia currently at risk of missing qualification for the Olympics, down 12-0 to Samoa in the Oceania Cup at half time

Pulling it back nicely. Good for them to comeback under pressure, not easy. Samoa are not a bad team either.

Win by 19-12, qualifying for the Olympics. Well done lads!
 

Adam84

Nick Farr-Jones (63)
Well done for just qualifying?

Have things got that bad?

Man, can’t people just be happy for something without someone making an issue of it..
Word 7s is pretty bloody competitive, and in the Oceania region a quality team will miss out on qualification purely because of limited spots.

Let people be happy for them for qualifying.
 

I like to watch

David Codey (61)
Beating Fiji for the men, and NZ for the girls, both great results.

But I see qualifying for the Olympics as a given, not something to be celebrated.
 

Adam84

Nick Farr-Jones (63)
But I see qualifying for the Olympics as a given, not something to be celebrated.

Qualifying for the Olympics is certainly not a given. Samoa are ranked 6 in the world and no easy beat.

As it stands only one team from Samoa, Tonga, France and Ireland can qualify in the final round of qualification.
 

I like to watch

David Codey (61)
That’s obviously where we diverge.
12 teams qualify, that is not an accomplishment in my view.
Tonga aren’t even in the 7s series,Ireland are only recent additions.

But happy to give them kudos for knocking off Fiji, that’s always a good result.
 

Adam84

Nick Farr-Jones (63)
11 teams qualify, Japan gain admittance by virtue of been the host, and Australia can conceivably only qualify for 6 of those positions given the allocation to conferences and final qualification round. But that’s factoring in direct competition against the kiwis, Fiji, Samoa, South Africa, Francs and USA for those spots. Qualifying for the Olympics is absolutely not a given when 1 possibly 2 teams in the top 8 will miss out on qualification.

The boys have a right to be happy with securing their spot for the Olympics, hopefully they’re enjoying their moment and don’t have people telling them it’s not an accomplishment.
 
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