7s showdown

With a cash prize of $3000 on the line – expect to see some of the best rugby sevens played today in the CITC Club Sevens finals at Titikaveka.

This year’s club sevens competition ‘circuit’ format has been about weekly consistency so with all teams and players in preparation mode for the International Sevens early next month – today’s games will their last serious pre tournament ‘hit-out’.

All teams will want to finish well which should give them plenty of confidence heading into next month’s major tournament.

Today we take a look at the teams and who have been their X-men (key players) over the past 3 weekends.

The Eels currently lead the competition after finishing twice in 1st and a 2nd place last weekend.

Forwards Clive Nicholas, Teokotai Tuaivi Jnr and Lee Ponini have anchored this team complimented by the finishing power of their flyer Duane Gukisuva.

This week the Eels welcome the return of national seven rep Bruce Goldsworthy – his leadership, skills and composure are key to this team’s success.

The Panthers, who are in 2nd place overall, will be hoping for the Eels to be defeated in pool play this weekend to open up a grand final finish.

Man-for-man they are the quickest team in the competition but much will depend on the work of their forwards Kore Herrmann, Teina Savage and Kairan Mahia especially to free up space for their fleet-footed outsides.

Conrad Piri has consistently been their most outstanding player – 74 points in 3 weeks is testament to his current form and an outstanding individual achievement.

The Cowboys welcome the return of national sevens reps Tariu Tairea and Patrick Numanga – their ‘go-forward’ should create opportunities for the smaller and quicker players such as try-scoring machine 19-year-old Sema Robati and deceptive forward Waisoi Karalo and also creative halves Spoon Marsters and Pokoroa Pauka.

They have the potential to top their Pool but have been unlucky of late – inconsistency has been their worst enemy.

The Dragons normally start their game on fire but tend to fall off towards the end.

This season their ‘go to man’ has been prop forward, winger and goal kicker Pene Trego who has been in outstanding form.

The Dragons also possess one of the best attacking players in the competition in Sailosi Niagi – who has yet to showcase his full arsenal of attacking skills.

Niagi’s combination with young flyer 17-year-old Juda Mato should be one to watch and see how it develops over the coming seasons.

The Bulls and Reds are struggling at the bottom-end of the table however the focus of both clubs has been on development which is sure to give other clubs a scare in the near future.

Games start at 2pm at the Titikaveka field.