.Baker was being tipped as a possible contender to be picked up by the injury-ravaged Chiefs, who had been looking for outside back cover.

Baker told Stuff NZ:“Someone actually mentioned it to me the other day but I haven’t heard anything,” 

“I also heard they were chasing a sevens guy, but I don’t know who it is.”

The 24-year-old was under contract in the Crusaders wider training group earlier this year but had to withdraw because of an ongoing hamstring problem.

That was overcome after a move back to Palmerston North where he did his own rehabilitation work and got his fitness back to a point he was selected in Gordon Tietjens’ sevens side for the last two tournaments in Glasgow and London.

He was delighted with how the side played at Twickenham where they won and were awarded the world series title, which was secured in Scotland when they made the quarterfinals.

“The first tournament, I got a few knocks on the first day but struggled through,” he said. “I was pretty buggered after that first tournament in Glasgow, to be fair, but I had the week off going into the London one and I came right just before it started, which was pretty lucky.”

Baker said there was a real determination to win the final tournament to prove to everyone they were worthy series winners.

“It proved we were the best team, by a country mile, really, especially when you look at the final points, from our perspective anyway,” he said.

The Taranaki fullback’s next aim is the sevens World Cup in Russia next month, a tournament the squad will start preparing for next week.

“It’s a pretty quick turnaround but it’s good for me to have something to look forward to. I’ll freshen up a bit and get into camp and try and make that squad.

“I’d like to try and come back and play for Southern but I don’t know if I will be allowed with the World Cup being so close.”

Via stuff.co.nz

England finished second behind New Zealand, who won all but one of the four tournaments in the series this year—England won the Houston Sevens after beating New Zealand 19-12 in the semi-final.

Thus, Maddocks points to consistency as the reason behind their favourites tag. “The obvious favourites going out there for me would be somebody like New Zealand, they’ve been the most consistent side across all the tournaments.” Conceded Maddocks, in a far from convincing tone.

He added:“But we’re quite happy to be sat right where we are; looking forward to taking a shot at the favourites.”

Maddocks has every right to be confident of Englands chances  heading into Moscow. There has been a clear sign of gradual progress after some of the 15′s stars come across to bolster the sevens campaign and the emphasis shifted to the shortened form of the game.

“When you look back on it, if you consider in Dubai 15′s was the priority, which we knew all along,then we had a mixture of a side in China, then took a very good side to Houston. So it’s been good in that sense as we’ve been able to look at a number of players.”

With 15′s players switching their focus to sevens it was always going to take a little time for those players to adapt.

On those players that have made the switch,Maddocks insisted:“Their skills sets are very, very good, so they’ve got a good understanding already and it’s just about the subtle changes like conditioning.

“It’s about us getting it right on two days over the six months, and that’s tough in itself. As long as we go to Moscow as best prepared as we possibly can, we’ve got a chance that’s for sure.”

It seems finishing second to New Zealand in the series this season is of no relevance to Maddocks side who are in search of the holy grail: a world cup winners medal next month!

Photo:IRB

The full-back, who announced his retirement at the end of the 2012/13 campaign, will provide technical support and advice for coaches as well as running the prestigious school’s Fitness Suite.

Goodridge made thirty-nine competitive appearances for Bristol over two seasons, scoring eleven tries.

The 32 year-old will continue working with the Bristol Rugby Community Foundation, having become a key member of Ben Breeze’s coaching team on the Bright Sparks project.

Goodridge has also been appointed to the EPDG coaching staff. As well as mentoring the Academy back three of Slowik, Hughes and Edwards, he will assume the role of kicking coach for the EPDG age groups.

“I’m delighted to be embarking on the next chapter of my career. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in professional rugby – particularly my time with Bristol – so it was important for me to remain involved with the Club in some way,” said Goodridge.

“I’ll continue to work with the Bristol Rugby Community Foundation and the Academy. They’re both parts of the Club that I feel strongly about, so I made sure I could continue to work with the Foundation as well as undertaking my new role.”

Academy Manager Mike Hall added: “Jonny is a fantastic professional with a wealth of experience and I’m happy to welcome him into the Academy fold.

“His input into the development of our young players will be invaluable and I’m confident he will be an excellent addition to our set-up.”

Via Bristol Rugby

Head coach Barry Maddocks has named an experienced squad which will be led by Wasps’ Michaela Staniford whilst he also recalls Lichfield’s Emily Scarratt and Natasha Hunt, Worcester trio Heather Fisher, Katherine Merchant and Joanne Watmore and Richmond’s Alice Richardson.

England head into the first of two rounds in the European Series as defending champions after they beat Spain in the final a year ago. Round two will take place in Marbella on June 15-16.

“This is a strong squad but the priotity for me is not defending out title but rotating the team as we look to build the best squad we can for the Rugby World Cup in Moscow next month,” said Maddocks, whose team finished second in the inaugural World Series this season behind New Zealand.

“So many players have put their hands up for a place in that RWC squad over the last month that I am struggling to get what we have into 12 players. That of course is a good thing.”

England will take on Germany, Russia, Portugal, the Netherlands and Wales in the pool stages and Maddocks knows that to make the semi-finals England will have to perform consistently in every game.

“Russia are the inform Sevens team in World Rugby at the moment,” added Maddocks. “They are an extremely physical and athletic team who will provide us with a massive challenge. And they’ll be buoyed by their win against us in Amsterdam last weekend.

“The Netherlands will also be looking to bounce back from their disappointing performance at their home tournament whilst sides like Wales need no motivation to want to beat England. It’s certainly going to be another tough weekend of international rugby but that is exactly what we need ahead of the Rugby World Cup.”

Via The RFU

England

Claire Allan   (Richmond)

Rachael         Burford           (Thurrock)

Heather          Fisher (Worcester)

Natasha         Hunt   (Lichfield)

Francesca     Matthews       (Richmond)

Katy    McLean          (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

Katherine      Merchant       (Worcester)

Marlie Packer            (Bristol)

Alice   Richardson   (Richmond)

Emily  Scarratt          (Lichfield) VC

Michaela        Staniford        (Wasps) C

Joanne          Watmore        (Worcester)

Leicester Tigers wing Vereniki Goneva is one of eight European based players to be named in the Fiji Rugby World Cup Sevens squad.

It is a real statement of intent from the sevens giants, who are clearly prioritising sevens over 15′s this summer.

Their inclusions hardly come as a surprise after  The Flying Fijians rugby coach, Inoke Male, told Radio New Zealand that the sevens team will get the first port of call on players ahead of their World Cup in Moscow next month.

he said:“We are trying to give the sevens the first choice over players he (Fiji 7s coach Alivereti Dere) needs to take to the World Cup. After that we will finalise our teams for the coming tournament.”

Via Fiji RFU

30 Member 2013 Rugby World Squad List

1. Jasa VEREMALUA
2. Uliyasi LAWAVOU
3. Lepani BOTIA
4. Jone VOTA
5. Setefano CAKAU
6. Nemani NAGUSA
7. Mosese SAUNIVANUA
8. Sakuisa GAVIDI
9. Ilai TINANI
10. Emosi MULEVORO
11. Osea KOLINISAU
12. Samisoni VIRIVIRI
13. Leone NAKARAWA
14. Donasio RATUBULI
15. Joji RAGAMATE
16. Vilitati SOKIVETA
17. Manasa NAYAGI
18. Manueli LAQAI
19. Vucago BAINITABUA
20. Ratu Meli KURINISAU
21. Sunia KUBU
22. Alipate RATINI
23. Watisoni VOTU (Perpignan)
24. Seremaia BUROTU (Biarittz)
25. Joeli LUTUMAILAGI (Narbonne)
26. Timoci MATANAVOU (Toulouse)
27. Vereniki GONEVA (Leicester Tigers)
28. Nikola MATAWALU (Glasgow Warriors)
29. Metuisela TALEBULA (Bordeaux-Begles)
30. Waisea NAYACALEVU (Stade Francais)

Also taking part were the UR7s Junior Academy ‘Pinks’ a side selected from Academies that took place at Wellington College (Feb) and Guildford RFC (April). UR7s had chosen to take an U14 team to the tournament so were very much expecting a physical day for the side.

The tournament was split in 4 groups of 4 across 2 fields of play and as the sunshine turned into a summers day, it was Harlow, Bishops Stortford and Chelmsford that looked the class sides as they topped their groups alongside the Academy side. The ‘Pinks’ as they became affectionately known by coaches and parents won their first game against Eaton Manor (20.0) and followed it with victory over Harlow B (52.0) before the final pool game was scrapped due to Luton pulling out of the tournament. Tom Nicole, Alex Jenkins and Oli Wilson proved to be the try scoring threats in the backs with Dylan Moss and Rio Morley pulling the strings at half-back.

As the knockout stages kicked off, the bottom 8 sides dropped into a plate competition whilst the top 2 teams from each group moved on to the Quarter-Finals. Chingford put the first marker of the day down with a 4 tries to 2 victory over Harlow behind some superb play from the midfield who are also involved in the Saracens Academy. The home crowd were a little dissapointed but Chingford deserved their victory. The Academy ‘pinks’ came up against a physical QE Barnet side who played a physical style of 7s behind their forwards. The Academy struggled to get to grips with their opponents in the first half conceding their first 2 scores of the tournament. The second half was a different story though as the ‘Pinks’ began to control the game. Josh Basham beginning to make a real impact and gain control upfront whilst Wilson and Nicole continued to look a threat from depth. The ‘Pinks’ went on to take victory 29.12 that was hard fought until the end.

In the other quarter-finals it was Chelmsford and Wanstead that were victorious and met one another in the sem-finals. Chelmsford were coming off the back of superb season which had seen them take victory in the Essex Super League, Essex Cup in XVs before following that with victory in the Amstersham 10s and the Ipswish 7s two weeks ago without conceding a point. They proved to be every bit the top local side as they put a talented and valiant Wanstead side to the sword in the semi-final behind real physicality and pace of a confident side.

The ‘Pinks’ were begin to enjoy their time on the 7s field against older and bigger opposition though and put together their performance of the day as they strangled Chingford in their semi-final behind some great 7s of width and pace that saw Tom Heyes, Jon Burden and Louis Edmondes make their mark on the tournament. The ‘Pinks’ were out of sight and won the game 35.0 much to the shock of some on the side of the field that began to comment that the ‘Pinks’ were playing some great 7s despite lack of size and they might have what it takes to turnover the larger Chelmsford side.

So the final pitted 2 very different styles against one another. The physically imposing Chelmsford team against the smaller 7s skills of the ‘Pinks’. The final matched it’s billing as Chelmsford struck first with a fantastic score from off-loading and power as the ‘Pinks’ who were missing Wilson and Basham by this stage looked a little over matched. The Academy got back into the game behind the pace of Burden though who managed to created a score under the posts before Edmondes then grabbed another for a 12.5 lead at the break. Henry Mason as proving to be the lynchpin for the ‘Pinks’ upfront as time and time again he contined to win turnover ball.

The second half was all Chelmsford as they dominated possession and territory with some superb junior power rugby. The Chelmsford side worked themselves into a 15.12 lead with barely any time on the clock. When Tom Nicole knocked the ball on for the ‘Pinks’ it looked all over but a reprieve was given as Chelmsford attacked and kicked the ball infield, with possession everything the mature head of Louis Edmondes took the ball on from his own 22 and burst through the defense, beating the sweeper. The Chelmsford sweeper proved to be everything that his side is though and was able to catch Edmondes but the big man offloaded to a supporting Tom Heyes and the ‘Pinks’ celebrated as the final whistle was blown.

In a fantastic game of rugby 7s both sides had given it their all with the youthful 7s style of rugby winning the day for the Academy but a Chelmsford team playing their part and proving their potential on the 7s field themselves. As captain Dylan Moss lifted the trophy it proved to an incredible first outing for the UR7s Academy that really pleased director Tom Burwell.

“we started the Academy for exactly days like this. Getting the chance to show the whole of the UK junior clubs the benefit of truely knowing how to play rugby 7s with skill and speed. We played some really good rugby teams today and the luck was with us. I hope to see some of the boys we have played today at Academies later in the summer as they could be great rugby 7s players themselves”

Burwell went on to say “I very much look forward to taking the Juniors to West Country 7s later on in the summer and perhaps giving the Seniors a run out a little later in the year as well but even more so we look forward to further Academies taking place at Llandovery, Tonbridge, Rosslyn Park, Oakham, Herts/Essex and Brighton with more to come. Working with great young rugby players is truly what the Academy is all about”

FURTHER INFORMATION ON TAKING PART IN THE UR7s ACADEMY CAN BE FOUND HERE WWW.UR7SACADEMY.COM

“I’m not sure whether going fully professional would be good for us,” said Bristol University student Humphrey Kayange after a good run out for Samurai at the Manchester sevens on the weekend.

Early mornings and late evenings will instead be the protocol for next six weeks heading into the rugby sevens world cup in Moscow, as Kenya look to prepare themselves in the hope of bettering their semi-final finish in Dubai four years ago.

“Everybody works or is at university. The next few weeks will be about managing that time between school and the work that needs to be done. I’m sure that most of it will be done early in the morning or late in the evening to make sure we’re prepared.

“I think the way the boys have been performing this season in regards to that training suggests that it’s working how it is for now.”

The reality is that the numbers just wouldn’t add up at this moment in time. Kenya is desperately lacking large scale competition within the country, Their largest tournament, and one that generates the most amount of revenue is the Africa Sevens cup which took place in Mombasa last month.

Related Sevens Article: LES BLEUS WIN MANCHESTER SEVENS 2013

There is a galling absence of a real international tournament which would generate television interest, sponsorship and meaty attendances. The introduction this season of a more professional coaching structure with Mike Friday at the helm already seems to be a little too much to digest, with internal disputes that saw Friday briefly removed from his role less than 24 hours after he had helped guide Kenya to their highest ever series finish (5th).

Madness only six weeks out from the world cup, but Kayange is confident that won’t bring to bear any damaging effects on the harmony within the team.

he added: “The guys in the team and on the technical bench have been working together as a family, and that’s what really matters, that’s where we need to be tight. Nothing has changed in regards to that, we’ll just let those other things on the side happen and we’ll just get on with the hard work.”

Kenya are yet to make that final step: winning a major competition. Yet they will go to Moscow as many people’s dark horse, and their Melrose Cup credentials have been endorsed by Friday himself.

Speaking after the London sevens last week, Friday said: “We’ve certainly got what it takes to go to Moscow and win, but as we’ve seen with sevens it’s volatile and unpredictable, We’ve shown that we can compete with the best, so we’ve just got to hope we can pull that together in Moscow.”

In spite of the near misses, the fine margins still aren’t quite favourable enough to bring a trophy home to Kenya. Fine margins that will come in time according to Friday.

He added:”We’re in search of the holy grail which is consistency and performance. I think our handling could improve, i think our decision making could improve. The training and conditioning is still very young. They’re new to supplementation, they’re new to nutrition, we just need time to put structure on the programme to allow these boys to flourish.

“Credit to my boys they’ve represented their country incredibly well this season, they’ve come a long way.This time last year they’d have been relegated, so to be 5th in the world series and finishing above the likes of England is credit to where they are and where they’ve come from!”

Rugby World Cup 7s 2013 28th-30th June. Pool C : Samoa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Phillipines

by Mike Dolan

Photo credit: IRB and Red Panda Sevens

New Zealand beat Canada to win the Women’s tournament in Amsterdam and thus clinched the series, USA won the plate and Susies Sevens won the mens invitational with England sevens player Dan Bibby collecting the player of the tournament.

At Broughton Park RFC, Les Bleus 7s beat the Carmarthen Warriors to win the Dallaglio Foundation International cup, whilst Ellesmere Old Boys won the Samurai Sportswear Mens Open.

Here are some of the best Tweets relating to these tournaments

Canada Women’s Sevens player Mandy Marchak Tweeted

Congrats to our Captain @jen_kish who got awarded the MVP of the #Amsterdam7s She was outstanding and resilient #connected #onegoal

— Mandy Marchak (@MandyMarchak) May 20, 2013

 

Loved my time in @sevensamsterdam playing for the AAC but struggling now waiting to fly home

— mike powell (@powelly6) May 20, 2013

If you haven’t seen the highlights from the final of the Women’s World 7s Series, then check them out here: youtube.com/watch?feature=…

— Storm 7 (@storm7rugby) May 19, 2013

 

Big win for @susiessevens in the #Amsterdam7s the brothers done good! #winners #gunsNroses @dbibby15 twitter.com/ollie_marchon/…

— Ollie Marchon (@ollie_marchon) May 19, 2013

Amsterdam 7s champs @susiessevensamazing two days thanks for the support guys! #winning

— Daniel Bibby (@dbibby15) May 19, 2013

(1/2) A special mention must go 2 @tomi_jones7 who deservedly won the player of the tournament @manchester7s yesterday. #consistentlyclass

— Warriors 7s (Wales). (@WarriorsPlayers) May 19, 2013

“@stefanandrews14: Massive congrats goes to @dbibby15 on his player of tourney in @sevensamsterdam. Well done bro” twitter.com/SevensAmsterda…

— Amsterdam Sevens (@SevensAmsterdam) May 19, 2013

@ashley_smith11‘s bump on @dbibby15 looked fantastic from my bedroom…may have to put it on repeat for my screensaver haha

— Paul Jarvis(@minijarv) May 19, 2013

Aladdin themed dress up, stay warm fellas! #fancydress #MR7s2013 twitter.com/Manchester7s/s…

— Manchester 7s(@Manchester7s) May 18, 2013

#PoseforDF #Manchester7s twitter.com/Inattheside/st…

— In At The Side (@Inattheside) May 18, 2013