Stunning Day Of Sevens On Central Coast

Stunning Day Of Sevens On Central Coast

Saturday 25 October

AN intriguing Day Two is in store at the Fitness First Central Coast Sevens after a number of upsets on Day One.

Wellington, Daveta, Yamacia and Rangataua all topped their pools to qualify for the last eight in the Men's competition however College Rifles eliminated Tribe and Warringah scored in the last minute to deny Borneo Eagles a place in the top eight.

The shadow national teams of Australia, Canada and Fiji, along with Wasps from New Zealand's Bay of Plenty, looked the goods in the international women's tournament.

Brasil and Rugirl (from Japan) are also through to the Kinesio Cup which features a record $12,000 first prize.

After a day which saw the tournament, which was founded in 2009, opened by Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Federal Member for Dobell Karen McNamara, Wellington men's coach Scott Waldrom said they were happy to get three wins.

"We have plenty to work on and we haven't played a full game yet and tomorrow is only going to get harder as there a lot of good teams here."

The Bayleys National Sevens champions edged Red Rock 15-7 in their first match of the day, beat Te Whanau 17-12 and finished with a 22-12 win over USA's Stars Rugby.

Winger Ambrose Curtis, looking to impress Sir Gordon Tietjens who was in attendance, scored five tries over the day.

Daveta claimed top spot in Pool B with three comfortable wins.

Jerry Tuwai scored two tries in the 31-5 victory over College Rifles, another as they beat Tribe 22-14 and a fourth in the 28-5 win over Manly.  Former national captain Emosi Vucago scored twice in the latter match.

With current Fiji reps Api Domolailai, Viliame Mata and Savenaca Rawaca also in the side, the Nadroga side will be tough to beat.

Auckland club College Rifles ended as runners-up to Daveta with a hard-fought 20-10 win over Tribe.

"We had a bit of a rough start against Manly this morning and didn't turn up against Daveta and it was on the boys to bring it home in that last game, I'm proud of the boys," said captain Jeremy Innes.

They will face Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens champions Yamacia who beat Brasil, Sunnybank and Tiger Rugby.

Rangataua, captained by new All Blacks Sevens player Matt Clutterbuck, and Borneo Eagles, featuring six former internationals, played out a 26-26 draw in Pool D.

However the Eagles went on to lose to Warringah whereas New Zealand's Middlesex Sevens champions finished the day unbeaten and will face Fiji's Red Rock.

"We have plenty to work on," said coach Matua Parkinson.  "We have a young team who were a little shellshocked at the start of the day however they realised they can foot it with the big boys.

"Red Rock is a huge chance for us, we are up for it and don't want to disappoint our fans."

On the women's side Aussie Pearls, Maple Leafs and Fijiana dominated their opposition in the glorious Central Coast sunshine.

The hosts ran in four tries to beat the Wasps 24-14 and Stars Rugby 28-0 before demolishing Sydney Fiji Ranadi 54-0.  Rising star Ellia Green scored two hat-tricks while recently-crowned ARU Sevens Player of the Year Emilee Cherry also grabbed three touchdowns against Ranadi.

"We love playing Central Coast Sevens, it's a good atmosphere and lovely weather and this is a really good tournament for us to try things leading up to Dubai," said Cherry.  "We can give some of the new girls game time as well."

Wasps, boosted by several national reps, including Selica Winiata who scored four tries, go through after two wins from three and will play Tribe.

Canada's Maple Leafs romped through Pool B without conceding a point.

Nine of the visitors got on the scoresheet as they beat former champions Sunnybank 36-0, Te Whanau 40-0 and Greater Sydney Rams 39-0.

Captain Ghislaine Landry said the tournament was invaluable for the season ahead.

"We have been on tour for a few weeks to try and get ready for the IRB Series and that was good," she said.  "We didn't really know what to expect as it's our first time here and it is nice to get a run out.

"For us it is about players getting minutes and the opportunity to play and perform."

The Maple Leafs play Rugirl in tomorrow's quarter finals.

Fijiana coach Iliesa Tanivula said they were also looking forward to tomorrow after big wins over Rugirl 48-0, Maroubra 45-5 and Central Coast Academy by the same score.

"There will be a lot of competition with the international teams here which is good for women's rugby," said the former New Zealand representative.  "We need to work on our concentration for the whole 14 minutes as sometimes we drift off a bit so we have to be consistent. 

"Let's hope we can improve with more tournaments like this but we are excited for tomorrow."

Tribe topped Pool D which included a 33-7 win over Brasil, a victory which pleased captain Rebecca Tavo.

"That was a good game and some of our young girls came on and did some good things," said the former RWC Sevens winner.  "Right now it is about recovery, good food and rest as we have NZ Wasps tomorrow so we have to come with our A game, they are a brilliant team."

QUARTER FINALS of the FITNESS FIRST CENTRAL COAST SEVENS, Wyong Leagues Club

Fitness First Cup

M53, 09:50, Wellington (NZL) vs Warringah (AUS)

M54, 09:50, College Rifles (NZL) vs Yamacia (FIJ)

M55, 10:10, Daveta (FIJ) vs Tiger Rugby (USA)

M56, 10:10, Red Rock (FIJ) vs Rangataua (NZL)

Boost Juice Ball

M63, 12:30, Te Whanau vs Borneo Eagles

M64, 12:50, Tribe vs Brasil

Presilient Boot

M59, 11:10, Stars Rugby vs Nabua

M60, 11:30, Manly vs Sunnybank

WOMEN'S

Kinesio Cup

M49, 09:10, Aussie Pearls (AUS) vs Brasil (BRA)

M50, 09:10, Greater Sydney Rams (AUS) vs Fijiana (FIJ)

M51, 09:30, Maple Leafs (CAN) vs Rugirl (JPN)

M52, 09:30, NZ Wasps (NZL) vs Tribe (AUS)

Boost Juice Ball

M61, 11:50, Stars Rugby vs The Graduates

M62, 12:10, Sunnybank vs Central Coast Academy of Sport

Presilient Boot

M57, 10:30, Sydney Fiji Ranadi vs Melbourne City Silverbacks

M58, 10:50, Te Whanau vs Maroubra Magic

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