Focus on short game has put Gillies Kaka & Co on top

New Zealand lifted their 12th World Sevens Series on Sunday at Twickenham and their hegemony is not going to stop anytime soon – now they actually take the shorten version of the game seriously.
With only three titles eluding them since 2000, the Kiwis have dominated the Sevens circuit on the pitch, However, off it, they have been were scraping by in terms of funding and players.
Now with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next month, and the Olympics in Rio in 2016 in mind, the NZRU has this year, for the first time,  set money aside to fund a full-time Sevens programme in an attempt to get even better.
With a £3.2m budget over four years and more than 20 full-time contracted players, they have not finished below fourth in a tournament this campaign reaching six finals over the first eight legs of the Series, winning four.
“Because of the programme we now have a squad of 21 being able to step in and play,” playmaker Gillies Kaka exclusively told The Rugby Paper.
“We used to have about 12 in the programme so you were almost guaranteed to play if you turned up. But a lot more players want to get involved with Sevens in New Zealand because of the money so it makes it harder to get in. The trials are getting very competitive which will improve the team.

“With the game becoming global and the Olympics, you’ll see more people wanting to be involved. It’s the same for every team. The World Series level has vastly improved this season.”
In the past, New Zealand used Sevens as a development path with potential and Victor Vito, Liam Messam, Julian Savea or Israel Dagg all learned their trade under head coach Sir Gordon Tietjens before becoming All Blacks. But that emphasis has changed.
Kaka, 23, who has been named in the HSBC Dream Team, said:  “Sevens used to be for people who wanted to play Super Rugby and eventually the All Blacks but it’s now a full-time career.”
Last week, Kaka, Tomasi Cama and Adam Whitelock – brother of All Black lock Sam – visited the the Black Prince Community Hub to deliver an exclusive training session with a group of 11 – 12 year olds.
The skills & drills coaching session finished with a Q&A and autograph session to launch AIG’s continued partnership with Community Action Zone (CAZ).
Working with local communities, CAZ uses sport to tackle social isolation and gang culture, to reengage attendees and building youth confidence.
Gillies Kaka was speaking at an AIG community event. Join the conversation at @AIGRugby