World Sevens Player of the Year Michaela Blyde was in great form for Bay of Plenty at Blake Park on Saturday. Photo / Andrew Warner
World Sevens Player of the Year Michaela Blyde was in great form for Bay of Plenty at Blake Park on Saturday. Photo / Andrew Warner
Bay of Plenty men's and women's teams both had two win-two loss records at the Provincial Union Sevens played at Blake Park on Saturday.
The titles were won by others — Waikato the men's and Manawatu the women's — but a week out from the Bayleys National Sevens in Rotorua the Bay of Plenty coaches were positive about the day's effort.
Men's coach Paul Tietjens saw plenty to like in wins over Manawatu and Wellington balanced against losses to Samoan Barbarians and Tasman.
The opening round loss at 9am to the Samoan side was the key moment in the day.
"Twice we kicked the ball away and they punished us for it and one kick-off we weren't set up for. Two critical mistakes and we lost 19-15, three tries each," Tietjens said.
"But then we bounced back to beat a good Manawatu side and we were outdone against Tasman, which was disappointing, before beating a good Wellington side."
Tietjens admits he has a much clearer idea of the make-up of his top team after Saturday's games.
"This is not the one you want to win is it but it is a very beneficial tournament for us. It's the one next week that is the big one. But what you do want to do is build confidence and know some top combinations heading into next week.
"After that Wellington game, I got a pretty clear idea who's up to it and who's not. You do get an understanding of who is still learning at this level of the game and who still needs to do a bit more work."
All Blacks Sevens players Teddy Stanaway, Bailey Simonsson and Luke Masirewa will be a huge boost to the Bay of Plenty team at the nationals.
Bay of Plenty's Jordy Stone takes off to score against Wellington. 060117aw19bop
Bay of Plenty women's coach Victoria Grant's side had narrow losses to strong Auckland and Wellington outfits with good wins over Canterbury and Waikato.
"It was really good actually. It was more like a selection process for us with 14 girls here all vying for spots. Some girls played themselves into the team and some didn't," Grant said.
"We lost to Wellington in the last play of the game, Auckland we only lost by a try as well and it was good to beat Waikato for the first time this season."
With international stars Michaela Blyde and Kelly Brazier adding immensely on and off the field Grant knows she has the players capable of beating anyone on their day.
"Having (Blyde and Brazier) back is really good for guiding our team and giving direction on the field. We have a lot of young girls in our team so having those two playing next to them on the field is awesome. They gain so much experience just playing with them and really step it up."
Bay of Plenty women have a tough pool at next weekend's nationals with Wellington and Manawatu.
"It will be a tough day one and at nationals, you have to back it up day two but like everyone we have got a chance," Grant said.
