The Plus500 Brumbies sent three teams to the recent Nationals Sevens held at Ballymore in Brisbane coming home with a mixed bag of results from across the grade competitions.
The Youth U17s males won four of their six matches, recording wins against South Australia, Queensland Red, Queensland Grey and Northern Territory but were defeated by NSW in the playoffs.
The group recovered to defeat early favourites, Queensland Red to win the Plate in the Final day. Coach Lachie Creighton provided some innovative training and quality strategic game plans that the boys embraced and followed.
A number of boys have been identified for Australian Youth development squads from this Championship. There was a similar tale for the Youth U17 Females who also won four of their six matches, their wins coming against Queensland White, Northern Territory, Western Australia and Victoria.
Their colours were lowered by Queensland White and Western Australia when they met again later in the competition.
A number of players were identified for work with the Australian Youth females’ program.
This was very positive given that their youngest player had just turned U15 and the majority of the squad will be eligible to play next year. Sammy Maxwell, who is in the Super W training squad, provided some great coaching support and management to the Brumbies Youth Females squad under the guidance of Coach Damien Tyson.
The ACTAS Women’s program run by Tyson had a positive effect on the program and will reap rewards in the coming years. Meanwhile, the Brumbies Men’s squad had a tough pool with NSW, Queensland Red and the National Indigenous team grouped with the ACT side.
On Day 1 they were defeated 14-12 on the back of small error to the eventual Champions Queensland Red in extra time after leading for 14 minutes. They went on to gain quality wins in their remaining two games against Australian Defence Forces and Australian Universities Representative Squad in the Bowl Final.
Coach Tim Cornforth did a marvellous job with the squad with great input from senior players, captain George Morseu and vice-captain Ben Johnston.
Brodie Leber again demonstrated his outstanding skills in this format of the game being a stand-out player. Brumbies 7s Group Manager, Deon Norval praised the quality, discipline and culture of the Brumbies Squads.
“They were a very positive group who represented the Brumbies in a positive manner,” Norval commented.
“The parents, guardians, friends and partners provide some great vocal support to the group that was fantastic.”
