New Zealand captain Dylan Collier, who led the All Blacks Sevens to cup finals in Hong Kong China and Singapore, has put “more pressure” on league winners Argentina ahead of their historic SVNS Series grand final event in Madrid.
Argentina won the league title for the first time earlier this month, beating South Africa in a memorable fifth-place play-off at Singapore’s National Stadium. The players, including veteran Gaston Revol, were visibly emotional at full time.
Tone Ng Shiu later told this website that SVNS Singapore champions All Blacks Sevens would “recognize” Los Pumas Sevens’ historic achievement. However, there is still one more event left in the 2023/24 season, so there’s still everything left to play.
At the end of the new-look SVNS Series season, the top eight men’s and women’s sevens teams will battle it out for overall glory at Madrid’s Estadio Civitas Metropolitano. The glory of an entire series is available to anyone good enough to claim it.
While the All Blacks Sevens play in cup finals in Hong Kong, China and Singapore, Team New Zealand will be ready to perform under their usual pressure when they take to the pitch in Madrid.
“There is always pressure on us. I think that when you wear a black uniform, you are asked to win, especially in your country,” Collier said. rugby pass At the Royal Palace in Madrid.
“We have won the last two games, but I think there will be more pressure on Argentina because they won the (league) series before they got to this point.
“We are just building. Trying to build on every tournament, trying to get better at every tournament.
“Our main goal is the Olympics. This is just another step because it’s about winning the Olympics.
“If we can do it and obviously try to win this tournament, it will give us a lot more confidence and build a lot more momentum going into the Olympic tournament.”
Codemeru ‘Cody’ Vai, Tone Ng Shiu and Andrew Knewstubb have been particularly impressive in helping New Zealand reach the Cup finals in the two most recent SVNS Series events. Vai and Ng Shiu scored tries while Knewstubb resumed his playmaking role.
There’s a lot to like about the revamped outfit for the All Blacks Sevens, and we may now be welcoming back the game’s true greatness. Former captain Sam Dickson and veteran Joe Webber have both returned to Madrid.
For a team that still has plenty of firepower, including World Rugby Player of the Year nominees Leroy Carter and Akuila Rokolisoa, the valuable addition of returning experienced players will be a welcome boost.
“We’ve had to make some changes for some of the injuries, but it’s really great to see some of our older players bounce back from injuries and get a chance to perform at this level again,” Collier explained. I did.
“It will be exciting for them to come to a new place and leave their mark on our team once again.
“We’ve got (Sam Dixon) in there, Joe Weber’s in there too… I’m really looking forward to it and (I’m) looking forward to what they bring individually.
“Just adding that energy back to our team will be awesome.”
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