New Zealand, silver medal. New Zealand v Fiji, Mens sevens final, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Tuesday 27th July 2021. Photo / Photosport.co.nz
New Zealand, silver medal. New Zealand v Fiji, Mens sevens final, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Tuesday 27th July 2021. Photo / Photosport.co.nz
OPINION:
The All Blacks Sevens side definitely felt disappointed following their Olympic rugby sevens final loss to Fiji on Thursday, but once the emotions subside, the weight of what they've achieved will sink in. They will come to realise how proud they have done themselves, their whānau and New Zealand.
Yes, they were chasing gold, but coming home as an Olympic medallist is an enormous achievement. I'm so proud of our boys.
When contrasting this year's performance with 2016, it was night and day.
There was so much excitement around sevens being introduced at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
The All Blacks men were favourites and they faced the pressure. The ingredients seemed to be there; the young guns, the sevens stalwarts, a couple of late superstar ring-ins and a highly regarded coach in Sir Gordon Tietjens. But come day two of the tournament, some horrific injuries meant they'd gone from hero to zero and New Zealand's dreams were shattered.
It was an underwhelming performance. So heading into 2021, they weren't lacking any motivation, it was all about redemption.
The All Blacks Sevens got some credibility back when they won the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and headed into Tokyo as one of the hot favourites.
Full Kiwi schedule below. Click on a name to see athlete's bio, upcoming events, past Games performance and medal chance.
But this time they looked more energised and evenly balanced. There was a good mix of youth and experience, X-factor and five years of building culture. More than anything, this group had true belief and connection. The brotherhood was unbreakable.
And then onto the final against Fiji. Their tactics were good, they just needed that ball back. When it's such a fast-paced game, time runs out so quickly.
New Zealand's downfall was conceding the two early tries. It became an arm-wrestle after that, but arm-wrestles are two times harder when also chasing the game.
Scott Curry really stood up throughout the tournament and was a real workhorse and exceptional leader.
New Zealand Scott Curry and Andrew Knewstubb. New Zealand v Fiji, Mens sevens final, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Tuesday 27th July 2021. Photo / Photosport.co.nz
Tim Mikkelson had a huge three days and will now be remembered as one of the greats alongside Eric Rush and DJ Forbes.
But every player absolutely emptied the tank. The mental capability to push that exhaustion behind you and just play is to be admired.
It's impossible not to be happy for Fiji though, seeing the emotional celebrations following their win. We're so proud of our Pacific brothers and what they've done, especially for their country and what they are going through.
Could NZ have done things differently? There were moments in the game where perhaps they could have held possession longer. That was what Fiji did so well. It was hard for NZ to get the ball back. The second half was a real grind, both teams just wearing each other down.
Sevens is one of the hardest events at the Olympics. The intensity, the horrific humidity and competing three days in a row takes its toll.
It's not just about having single moments, it's a collection of defining moments.
The All Blacks sevens have laid the pathway and foundation, now it's the Black Ferns' turn. If our women and men rugby players come back as medallists, that's a huge achievement for all of us to celebrate.
Ko te pae tawhiti whāia kia tata, ko te pae tata whakamua kia tina. Seek out distant horizons and cherish those you attain.
