Rangataua's Nathaniel Walker is tackled by a Wardens Green player in the 27-7 defeat on day one of the Bayleys Coral Coast Sevens in Fiji yesterday. Photo / Jeremy Duxbury
Rangataua's Nathaniel Walker is tackled by a Wardens Green player in the 27-7 defeat on day one of the Bayleys Coral Coast Sevens in Fiji yesterday. Photo / Jeremy Duxbury
Rangataua have received a harsh introduction to rugby sevens, Fijian-style.
The New Zealand national sevens club champions now face playoffs action in the Bowl or Shield rounds after dropping their opening two pool matches yesterday at the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens at Sigatoka's Lawaqa Park.
In the opening matchagainst a crack Wardens Green outfit, Rangataua could not control the early kickoff receptions and was outgunned to the tune of 27-7. Curtis van der Heyden scored the sole try but the damage was irreparable by the time he crossed. Wardens Green looked slick, well organised and full of running, as did many of the Fijian sides in the competition.
In the second match, less than two hours later under a sweltering sun on a hard ground, Rangataua improved significantly but still ended up on the wrong side of a 35-17 scoreline to the Davui Suva Stallions. It did not help matters when the Stallions' first try came from a clear forward pass, but thereafter Rangataua conceded a couple of soft tries. However, they battled bravely in the second spell and pulled the margin back to 28-17 after Luke Masirewa's second try, ducking a high shot, and a fine score in the corner to Roha Dalton-Reedy. Adam McGarvey was sin-binned in the final seconds for what appeared to be a shoulder charge and the referee awarded a penalty try.
Coach Matua Parkinson admitted the day was a reality check for his young charges. "We just didn't take care of the core skills, the passing, the kickoffs, the tackles. She's hot, you've got some big, intimidating boys wanting to do some serious bodily harm to you ... There's some tough sevens being played out there."
Parkinson listed captain Matt Clutterbuck, Alex Jessop, and van der Heyden as those who acquitted themselves well on day one. Injuries to Dalton-Reedy and a shoulder issue for Akira Mako, further dampened the day for Rangataua, who face Naviti Resort in the last pool fixture. There was some high quality sevens on display and the clash between defending champs Yamacia and Red Rock was a prime example.
-Campbell Burnes is in Fiji courtesy of Tourism Fiji.
