The New Zealand 7s team, under coach Tomasi Cama Jnr, has taken valuable lessons from their performance at the 2025 McDonald’s Fiji Coral Coast Sevens tournament. After suffering defeats in both the cup quarter-finals and the plate semi-finals to the Brothers rugby team, Cama emphasized the importance of precision in their gameplay. He likened their situation to darts, stating, “The accuracy of hitting bulls-eye means we have to be very accurate on how we want to play, and clearly we didn’t do that this week.”

Cama, a former All Blacks 7s player, noted that with the legacy and expectations that come with representing New Zealand, the team must be mentally prepared for the challenges presented at such competitive tournaments. “Everyone comes after you,” he remarked, acknowledging that simply being the best isn’t enough without the corresponding performance on the pitch.

In this context, Cama sees the recent tournament as a crucial learning opportunity for his newer players who are still gaining experience in the technical aspects of rugby sevens. He highlighted the need for mental readiness, stating that this aspect would be vital for their upcoming matches, including the Perth 7s tournament this weekend. Additionally, this experience could serve as a motivating factor for the team to continuously strive for excellence.

Both Cama’s insights and the outcome of the Coral Coast Sevens reflect the heightened competitive spirit of the tournament, which included strong performances from local teams eager to measure themselves against established squads like New Zealand. As the All Blacks 7s regroup for future competitions, they carry with them the resolve to improve and adapt, aiming to reclaim their title as a powerhouse in the world of rugby sevens.

This setback can serve not only as a reminder of the challenges ahead but as a catalyst for growth and consistency within the team. As they prepare for the next challenge, there is hope for a stronger showing, which often emerges from learning experiences like these.