Hamilton 7s Day One: Here’s What We Learnt

25 January 2020

Five teams remain unbeaten after day one of the Hamilton 7s.

Australia will face the USA at 7:51am (AEDT) on Sunday in a match that will decide who qualifies for the Semi-Finals in the new short format. Australia currently sits in first place in Pool B with a points differential of 38 to the USA’s 34.

In pool C both France and Canada remain unbeaten and will face off at 7:07am (AEDT). With a points differential of 47 and 52 respectively both look to have secured their spot in top four. The only way either of these teams miss out is if they have a huge score put on them tomorrow morning.

In pool A New Zealand has all but guaranteed their qualification with convincing wins over China and Fiji. In order for Fiji to qualify for the top four they’d have to beat New Zealand by at least 69 points. China on the other hand would only have to beat England by about 110. Stranger things have happened I guess.

After day one here are a few things we learnt.

Brazil Came to Play

It looks like the extra time the Brazilian team spent in Hamilton has paid off. Lead by diminutive winger Thalia Costa she produced two long range tries to put brazil in front early against Australia and USA. She’s also tireless in defence chasinf down every line break.

While the stay hasn’t yet produced results for Brazil this writer believes it’s only a matter of time. The Brazilians look like they’re about to turn a corner, if they can figure out how to produce more of this, they could be the competitions giant killers.

Il y a plusieurs raisons pour être fan de la Brésilienne Thalia Costa. Et ça, c’en est une ! pic.twitter.com/9lR0U3HVdb

— World Rugby FR (@WorldRugby_FR) January 25, 2020

Coast to Costa@brasilrugby‘s Thalia Costa has got insane speed. You won’t see many beat Kelter and Tapper on the outside like that.#ImpactMoment #DHLRugby pic.twitter.com/Jcjo6KEDTo

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 25, 2020

.@GeezyGreen stepping and winning an epic race to the line as @Aussie7s women won their opening game. More action to come today from #Hamilton7s.

READ: https://t.co/Y5IWl9scDP pic.twitter.com/Dr0nyA1tN3

— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) January 24, 2020

Same Emilee Cherry

As discussed on the Stairway to Sevens pod this week the GOAT Emilee Cherry is making her return to the side. It didn’t take long for her to show that an 18 month stint on the sideline if anything, has only done Emily good. Picking up two tries against Brazil, a third against Russia and laid the platform for a couple of others. Don’t believe me? Well watch this…

The @Aussie7s women were down early on against Brazil but @emilee_cherry was quick to respond as they ended up with a 24-14 victory. #Hamilton7s

READ: https://t.co/Y5IWl9scDP pic.twitter.com/lWR4ExIUeH

— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) January 24, 2020

🦶 Using their feet as well as their heads, the @Aussie7s women were in sublime form today. #Hamilton7s #NZSevens

READ: https://t.co/Y5IWl9scDP pic.twitter.com/RvRQiri4dz

— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) January 25, 2020

There’s No One Quite Like Elia Green

I mean just look at this…

💪 How about that for power? @GeezyGreen is at it again as the @Aussie7s women make it two from two against Russia. Still more action to come today from #Hamilton7s.

READ: https://t.co/Y5IWl9scDP pic.twitter.com/eQ2yhDHMjr

— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) January 25, 2020

I’m not sure there’s anyone more intimidating with a bit of space. With Emilee inside her and Casilick to return to the side, the sky may be the limit for Green (noting the defence clearly isn’t a limitation).

Side note: Green did this a second time to the same defender later in the game.

New Zealand are The Team to Beat

This one really isn’t a surprise to anyone. Coming off their 2nd consecutive win in Cape Town they were certainly tournament favourites coming in, if for no other reason than they’re at home.

However, they’ve scored 80 points while only conceding 14 in their first two games. They have strike power all over the park and with their home fans behind them they’re going to be really difficult to beat.

Don’t believe me? Watch this…

Different name. Smile remains

There’s no one who loves scoring tries more than @StaceyWaaka #NZSevens pic.twitter.com/wpVGYGRjbC

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 24, 2020

And that’s just their lineout moves…