On The Cards

CW's, Hearn, who had a good tournament....rapidly being recognised for his "Sonny Bill" offloads!

It seemed almost fated that SRA's Blitzbokkes would take the Nelson Mandela Sevens title, fittingly so, but it wasn't without a hard fought win over a much improved Kiwi, 17 - 14, rather ironically, same teams (XV's), same result, 18 years later. The Flying Fijians took the Plate Final which was far from the prestige of their last outing and Samoa was back in the money with their third place finish over Argentina.

As for Canada, it was not a good outcome, dropping two more placings and hanging onto "core status" by the skin of their teeth.  Having said that, we fully recognize the commitment the large majority of these men have made over the past two months and they must be "dead on their feet" and we welcome them home.  Their respite will be brief, as they join friends and family for the Christmas Season, for it will be back to business at the Vegas sevens in January.  There will be much analysis at Westhills and little rest for the nobs. 

It was mystifying to this viewer as to why the bench went seemingly unused.  With players so obviously tired and fresh legs available, no matter what, they should have been given their head.  Canada was way behind on the missed tackle count in most of their matches and snippets seen by this pundit saw the boys not their usual selves, dropping balls and making poor choices.  Enough said.  This is a group that has a great deal of pride and it will be for sure, that we can expect to see a different result in Vegas, given a strong and fanatical Canadian backing and the need to keep the gap from The Eagles and re-gain their spot over Scotland and perhaps Portugal. 

CW wishes all involved with the program Merry Christmas and a renewing rest, reminding us that yesterday is history, today is a gift, tomorrow is a mystery, that's why they call it the future or something akin to this adage!