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UR7s - 'Best of Wellington/Las Vegas VII'

Friday 19 February 2010 (UR7s & Photo Liz Booking, John Williams)

After each back-to-back legs on the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series, Robin Heymann will be picking a side from the players he feels have delivered the most over the two tournaments.

Many players have put their hands up in Wellington (NZI Sevens) and Las Vegas (USA Sevens) but here are the UR7s choices. Agree or disagree we want to hear your thoughts so please leave some comments. Who did we miss out? Who have you enjoyed watching so far this season? Let's hear your views Sevens fans...

Best of Wellington & Vegas VII

1. DJ Forbes (New Zealand) - The New Zealand captain was disappointed with himself after missing some very uncharacteristic tackles that proved costly in Wellington. But what a response in Vegas. Inspirational throughout making tackles, stealing ball, and showing remarkable athleticism.

2. Alafoti Fa'osiliva (Samoa) – Has performed at a remarkable level all season and to be fair was pretty unlucky not to make the Dubai/George VII. He provides the best of both worlds; works furiously at the breakdown but also running and finishing skills to cross the whitewash. A brilliant two tournaments.

3. Seremaia Burotu (Fiji) – Perhaps the advantage the Fijian forwards have over the likes of Forbes is that they are just as powerful but also possess the speed to make significant breaks. Burotu makes telling contributions time after time and like Fa'osiliva is a regular scorer.

4. Uale Mai (Samoa) – How relieved must Samoa be that he couldn’t secure a work visa to English club Cornish Pirates?! With little Sevens under his belt he has stormed back into IRB Sevens steering the Samoan ship with sublime vision and creativity in New Zealand and USA. His intelligence around the park is what marks him out from others, as well as an ability to turn it on for the very biggest games.

5. Nese Malifa (USA) – An unsung hero who won’t often be seen playing in massive Cup games like the rest in this side. Nonetheless his contribution to the USA is vital. A creative spark with wonderful feet who slots his goals too. In a team of bruisers and power players he is a key man for Al Caravelli and has had a good couple of weeks.


6. Kimami Sitauti (Australia) – This 18-year-old looks like a cracking find by Michael O’Connor and his backroom staff. Didn’t play before Christmas but shown himself to be a revelation with slashing breaks and ruthless finishing. How will he cope now other teams are aware of him?

7. Mikaele Pesamino (Samoa) – Probably the most obvious choice – an incredible 18 tries over the two tournaments says it all really. He’s lightening. Wonderful athlete with a Tom Varndell-esque model sprinter’s technique. Proved to be a real nuisance for New Zealand who he intercepted three times over the last two legs.

 Replacements:

 Cecil Afrika (South Africa) – A lot of hype surrounded Afrika when he made his IRB debut in Dubai such is his natural ability. He’s now delivering. Sniping excellence and electric off the mark.

Matt Hawkins (USA) – The polar bear is a whole hearted competitor. Powerful and not afraid of the honest graft, but a try-scorer too as his 6 scores in Vegas would suggest.

Renaud Delmas (France) – Can’t be easy playing in a struggling French side but Delmas has performed well cutting sides apart with some piercing runs and impressive speed endurance. 
 

Chris Brightwell (England) - Thick kiwi accent but has now firmly English and has really adapted superbly to the Sevens on the biggest stage of all. In a team of young flyers gives England some much needed physicality. 
 

Kurt Baker (New Zealand) – Overshadowed a little by Sherwin Stowers but Baker is a class act. A Rapier break with a bullet of a pass of both hands makes him an ideal centre for Gordon Tietjens. Super 14/15 surely awaits.

UR7s - 'Best of Dubai/George VII'
 

Tagged in this article: Wellington Sevens, USA Sevens

COMMENTS

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Andy Fri 19 Feb 2010 18:36

Where's Gollings? Has led a young side brilliantly and is still scoring for fun. An incredible player on a Sevens pitch.

Where's Gollings? Has led a young side brilliantly and is still scoring for fun. An incredible player on a Sevens pitch.
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AtTheSevens Sat 20 Feb 2010 07:44

I agree re: Gollings. Hard to see how he can't make the 12. Agree completely with Malifa. This guy is sparks attacks from anywhere, really quite composed and complete. Forbes must be lucky given his Wellington performance. If 1 of out 2 is enough, then where's Kolinisau?

I agree re: Gollings. Hard to see how he can't make the 12. Agree completely with Malifa. This guy is sparks attacks from anywhere, really quite composed and complete. Forbes must be lucky given his Wellington performance. If 1 of out 2 is enough, then where's Kolinisau?
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I loveEngland Sat 20 Feb 2010 14:05

Agreed! Ben Gollings should be first name down. He has been best player in the last 4 tournaments and playing his best rugby for a long time - given plenty of freedom and looks like he loves it! He is a level above others in his position and very odd he isnt in - is it because he isnt a fashionable choice?! Otherwise a great side !

Agreed! Ben Gollings should be first name down. He has been best player in the last 4 tournaments and playing his best rugby for a long time - given plenty of freedom and looks like he loves it! He is a level above others in his position and very odd he isnt in - is it because he isnt a fashionable choice?! Otherwise a great side !
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Mt Sat 20 Feb 2010 17:30

Why not put the whole Samoan team in there (lol), they are a leaque of their own. Watch what they did to the rest of the teams in Vegas...they demolished NZ!

Why not put the whole Samoan team in there (lol), they are a leaque of their own.  Watch what they did to the rest of the teams in Vegas...they demolished NZ!
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go kiwis ;) Sun 21 Feb 2010 07:10

[quote]In reply to the original entry:

Why not put the whole Samoan team in there (lol), they are a leaque of their own. Watch what they did to the rest of the teams in Vegas...they demolished NZ![/quote]

agreed ;)

[quote]In reply to the original entry:

Why not put the whole Samoan team in there (lol), they are a leaque of their own.  Watch what they did to the rest of the teams in Vegas...they demolished NZ![/quote]

agreed ;)
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Oh yeah? Mon 22 Feb 2010 06:26

I thought DJ Forbes was pretty disappointing against Samoa in Wellington and Vegas. He missed more than his share of tackles and was kept pretty quiet by the Samoans.

Lolo Lui and the Samoan centre Reupena Levasa had a great two tournaments and are unlucky not to make this list. Practically make the whole backline the Samoan backline, they're that good. I also agree with the others, Gollings is always a good shout.

Maybe to make a lot more people happy, you could make a 2nd VII or something like that.

Anyway, thanks for the hard work guys. Always look forward to checking out the site.

I thought DJ Forbes was pretty disappointing against Samoa in Wellington and Vegas. He missed more than his share of tackles and was kept pretty quiet by the Samoans.

Lolo Lui and the Samoan centre Reupena Levasa had a great two tournaments and are unlucky not to make this list. Practically make the whole backline the Samoan backline, they're that good.  I also agree with the others, Gollings is always a good shout.

Maybe to make a lot more people happy, you could make a 2nd VII or something like that.

Anyway, thanks for the hard work guys. Always look forward to checking out the site.
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Robin Heymann Mon 22 Feb 2010 11:30

Thanks for the comments guys, keep em coming!

Yes you all have good points here, Gollings was,as always, hugely effective in NZ and USA. He effectively maintains such a high standard throughout a weekend at most tourneys that it is sometimes easy to overlook him when selecting a team like this. Half-back is such a key position there arr so many to choose from.

It is often tempting to stuff this squad full of Cup winners, runners-up etc but important to remember guys who play in the second/third tier teams. It is even more impressive when these guys perform. Looking back could have added some Welsh boys to this.

They were under the pump through injuries but again put in an encouraging performance. Ifan Evans & Justin Tipuric are class.

Thanks for the comments guys, keep em coming!

Yes you all have good points here, Gollings was,as always, hugely effective in NZ and USA. He effectively maintains such a high standard throughout a weekend at most tourneys that it is sometimes easy to overlook him when selecting a team like this. Half-back is such a key position there arr so many to choose from. 

It is often tempting to stuff this squad full of Cup winners, runners-up etc but important to remember guys who play in the second/third tier teams. It is even more impressive when these guys perform. Looking back could have added some Welsh boys to this. 

They were under the pump through injuries but again put in an encouraging performance. Ifan Evans & Justin Tipuric are class.
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Rugbyzoned Mon 22 Feb 2010 15:13

I dont think Forbes should be on that list-he did make many costly mistakes!!!! This list is incorrect, as it has missed out on truly great players, namely Collins Injera (Kenya), Mzwandile Stick (South Africa) and Kenya's impressive Captain, Humphrey Kayange. By the way, I am from Fiji, but these three players have stood out in those last two legs.

I dont think Forbes should be on that list-he did make many costly mistakes!!!! This list is incorrect, as it has missed out on truly great players, namely Collins Injera (Kenya), Mzwandile Stick (South Africa) and Kenya's impressive Captain, Humphrey Kayange. By the way, I am from Fiji, but these three players have stood out in those last two legs.
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Dallen Stanford Tue 23 Feb 2010 17:14

Robin - Congrats on a superb weekend in Las Vegas, keeping the world covered from match to match with the superb text commentary! No time even for a bathroom break!
When selecting a 'best of' team it is impossible to only have 7 starters and 5 reserves, but imagine we could select two sides and have a World 7 against a Barbarian 7?!!! That could be played at the 2012 Olympics...

You heard it here first - UR7s & Pakis Corner!

Robin - Congrats on a superb weekend in Las Vegas, keeping the world covered from match to match with the superb text commentary! No time even for a bathroom break!
When selecting a 'best of' team it is impossible to only have 7 starters and 5 reserves, but imagine we could select two sides and have a World 7 against a Barbarian 7?!!! That could be played at the 2012 Olympics...

You heard it here first - UR7s & Pakis Corner!
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Melvin mamba Sun 7 Mar 2010 13:30

I think Kenyans must also bd added 2 ur list da likes of Kayange and Injera.

I think Kenyans must also bd added 2 ur list da likes of Kayange and Injera.
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ur7s.com Fri 27 May 2011 15:10

Ur7s.. Smashing :)

Ur7s.. Smashing :)
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ur7s.com Fri 3 Jun 2011 18:47

Ur7s.. Nice :)

Ur7s.. Nice :)
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ur7s.com Sun 5 Jun 2011 19:04

Ur7s.. Very nice :)

Ur7s.. Very nice :)
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o324 tits kndl Sun 3 Jul 2011 01:13

Ur7s.. Ho-o-o-o-t :)

Ur7s.. Ho-o-o-o-t :)
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