DJ Forbes is the master … yet again
New Zealand skipper leads from the front before young guns strut their stuff in victory over Scotland
It was almost like he'd never left. DJ Forbes was the standout player as New Zealand bullocked their way to last year's title at the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens and he led from the front again on Friday night as the All Blacks Sevens began their defence with a 26-7 victory over Scotland.
The 33-year-old was on hand to pounce on a loose ball and score the Kiwis first try and was here, there and everywhere until being substituted midway through the second half. By that point the Scots had given what they had, basically, and New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens took the chance to give his young guns a chance to show their style.
Chief among them this year is 18-year-old winger Rieko Ioane, whose reputation reached Hong Kong long before the young man himself - six tries in the Wellington leg of the Sevens World Series, including two in the home side's 27-21 final win over England, ensured that, as did his bursts of blistering speed and guile.
We have a few young boys and all five of them could be potential superstars ... some of these boys are just out of school. It’s exciting
Ioane's parents have declared him off limits to the press here - so far - so fans have been left waiting for the rising star's play to tell the story, and he took a minute or two to find his feet, and about 40 more seconds to score his debut try in Hong Kong.
Forbes was keen not to highlight any one player, sticking to the All Blacks team-first mantra that has seen them to 11 titles in Hong Kong. "Every game is a final for us here," said Forbes, who picked up an injury in Wellington and was in some doubt before the trip.
"I guess at the back of my mind I was a little bit concerned about that injury from Wellington. But they put me through my paces back home to even be a chance to come to Hong Kong. So to start well and get some points was good. I was disappointed to come off, but we were trying to give everyone a chance.
"We have a few young boys and all five of them could be potential superstars. We gave the leaders a chance to set the foundation as we didn't want the young boys to be overwhelmed by the occasion. Some of these boys are just out of school. It's exciting."
