Tenacious Wellington Flyers defend Bula 7s title

• By Steven White
• Photos by Andy McArthur

Several times across their final three knockout games of the day, the Wellington Flyers had to dig deep.

On each occasion they responded with a timely turnover, tackle out wide or an offload to a support player backing up, seeing them win all these matches and defending their title at the tournament played today for the second time at William Jones Park, Wainuiomata.

Last year’s win saw them snatch victory in extra time in the Cup final. This win wasn’t as dramatic but it was a thriller as they broke a 0-0 deadlock with about a minute to play to score the winning try against the Rotorua Fijians.

The nature of the try was after they had been under the pump 85 metres up field with Rotorua hot on attack with a penalty and lineout. The Flyers snatched the lineout and broke out up field. The try was saved after a kick and chase by Jeremiah Avei-Collins, but two plays later under the posts they scored the try that gave them their 5-0 win.

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For their part, Rotorua were a worthy finalist, strong in all facets and highly organised with a sniff of a chance. They had previously beaten the Wellington Flyers 19-7 in pool play and topped their group.

The Flyers’ semi-final win had come off the back of an equally tense semi-final win, beating the Marlborough Fijians 17-12. Marlborough, with searing pace, had raced to a 12-0 lead in their Cup semi but the Flyers had got back into the game with two tries to level 12-12 at halftime. The second half was tit-for-tat and could have gone either way until the Flyers broke from a lineout 80 metres (not dissimilar to their winner in the final) and marched up field to score the winner.

Rotorua had beaten last year’s finalists Waikato Fijians 7-5 in a similar pulsating semi- final in the battle of the Chiefs region teams.

For the Flyers, Jeremiah Avei-Collins was a pivotal figure in both these Cup semi-final and final wins, and he was a worthy Player of the Tournament recipient at the end.

The Flyers’ quarter-final Cup win over the Waikato Penguins had been just as thrilling – perhaps more so – than their semi-final and final wins.

The Flyers won this quarter-final 14-12, after levelling scores at 7-7 at halftime. The Waikato team had got ahead but also had a player spill the ball forward with the tryline begging. The Flyers broke out to hold the lead, but Waikato finished strongly and it came down to a try-saving tackle on the far side on fulltime that bundled a Waikato player into touch that won the game.

The other Cup quarter-final results saw Rotorua beat Bula Hawke’s Bay 29-0, the Waikato Fijians beat BLK St Johns 19-5 and Marlborough defeat Nasinu Pasifika14-10.

The Bowl Final was the first of the finals and resulted in visiting club team the Havelock North Villagers defeating the Veitokani Brothers 26-5.

The Plate final was a one-sided affair with the Waikato Penguins beating BLK St John’s 47-5.

The tournament had started at the breakfast hour with tournament champions the Flyers first up and beating Lomaiviti 52-0.

The majority of the 21 pool matches were much closer than this, with gritty, determined defence, as characterised by the Cup finalists the Flyers and Rotorua, the norm and the sign of high quality rugby.

There was a second Wellington Flyers team in the tournament, named the Bumblebees, although they failed to add sting and progress out of the pool play. A third, the Wellington Axemen club, pulled out late with some of their players assimilated into the Bumblebees and Flyers squads.

The day started off showery but soon cleared to a mostly fine day barring some spits later on, and with a cool breeze blowing from the south.

The Bula 7s tournament was again exceptionally run, with the friendly tournament organisers doing a great job. This tournament could and should grow bigger in the future with a major sponsor on board and the introduction of Colts and Women’s sections.

There was a good crowd on hand at William Jones Park, with a few of the teams backed by vocal support from the sideline. There were plenty of food options too, lining the northern end of the ground.

A shoutout to the Wellington Rugby Referee’s Association, who had just five referees officiating on rotation, each of whom refereed several matches as well as running touch for some other games.

And to Huddy Sports and the team for putting in an 11 and a half hour day on the livestream.

Next up is the National Club 7s tournament hosted by Paremata-Plimmerton, which is all day at Ngati Toa Domain on Saturday 7 February.

Cup, Bowl, Plate Finals and Cup Semifinals highlights: