Mastery of basics key to Australia’s World Rugby Sevens triumph

Behind the knockabout “just a bunch of misfits” line now synonymous with Australia’s remarkable World Rugby Sevens Series title victory was a steely belief that it could get the job done.

That was the observation from coach John Manenti after his side created history by becoming the first Aussie male outfit to achieve the feat.

The men in gold beat Samoa 21-7 to win bronze at the last stop of the tour in Los Angeles, which was enough to edge out South Africa and Fiji for the title.

“Just a bunch of misfits having a crack” was the line Manenti uttered in ecstasy after fulltime following his side’s win over Samoa.

But it was also important because the mentor’s focus was on team unity and fun, and getting the basics right after taking on the role in December last year.

“It was just one of those things – we actually came up with it during the year among ourselves,” Manenti told BettingSite.com.au from Los Angeles.

“We had a bit of a run with it and said ‘we’re coming together from all over the place – we’re a bunch of misfits and we’re all playing for each other’.

“We ran with it. The boys took it on board and it was a bit of fun.”

No one can deny the strong collective bond that helped Australia make history in California on Monday (AEST).

Knowing what was at stake, that commitment and desire to play for each other was on show in the bronze-medal playoff against the Samoans.

Dietrich Roache scored a try in this game and was outstanding on both sides of the ball, while captain Nick Malouf forced a crucial turnover in the dying stages.

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Malouf and Corey Toole (the second leading tryscorer across all games with 43 tries) were named in the team of the series.

Toole (Rookie of the Year and Impact Player) and Henry Paterson (Don’t Crack Under Pressure Award) were also deserving recipients of individual awards.

“You try and prepare them for those sorts of things late in a tournament where the weather is hot and fatigue starts to play its part,” Manenti said.

“So the boys did well to hang in there. Dietrich had a sensational tournament.

“He was absolutely gassed at the end there. But he put his hand up and had a great game.”

Living up to their “bunch of misfits” tag, Manenti plucked players from all over Australia and abroad as confidence – through consistent performances over the series – gradually built that they could do something special.

The Aussie mentor’s experience as a coach at Shute Shield level – notably guiding Eastwood to premiership triumphs in 2011, 2014 and 2015, while also winning the national club championship in 2015 – saw him make some valuable acquisitions from the Sydney club competition.

“The obvious one is (Eastwood’s) Matt Gonzalez at halfback, who’s done a great job. I’m really pleased for him,” Manenti said.

“But a couple of the boys like Henry Paterson who came out of the Shute Shield, he’s really had a standout year.

“That was his first real season of World Series Rugby and he’s really stepped up and improved over the series, and been a really good find for us.

“Billy Meakes is a local player who plays here with the LA Giltinis, so with the different guys we’ve got and what we’ve put together it’s worked out pretty well.”

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From his vast experience and success at Shute Shield level, Manenti was delighted to give the players in his squad an opportunity to shine on a global platform.

“I’m happy for the boys because I’ve been around that (Shute Shield) footy for years,” he said.

“And I know there are a lot of guys who don’t get identified out of school into the Super Rugby program.

“They’ve played good footy for years in club rugby and they don’t get picked up again because people feel like they’ve missed opportunities.

“They’re hardened first-grade players who have good experience, and it means so much to them when you give them an opportunity.

“It worked out well and was a really good sign of what we hope to be able to do in the future.”

You wouldn’t normally associate doing the basics well with sevens rugby – a format of the game known for its razzle-dazzle, speed and brilliant athleticism.

But this has played a big part in Australia’s maiden World Rugby Sevens Series triumph.

“I’ve got a couple of simple mantras. One of them is ‘be brilliant at the basics’,” Manenti said.

“When it comes to sevens rugby, people think it needs to be razzle-dazzle all the time.

“I just like the mentality of doing the simple things really well. We worked really hard on the basics of the game – passing and tackling have got better.

“We’ve improved those things. The other thing was being consistent around our performances at training.”

What they might have lacked in expansive sevens football compared to traditional powerhouses New Zealand, Fiji and South Africa, the Australians made up for with their collective work ethic.

“If you’re consistent at training it gives you a chance to replicate that in tournaments, which we’ve started to do,” Manenti said.

“Winning a world series is a real reflection of consistency. We were up around the podium or top four at nearly every tournament.

“That was what separated us from some of the other teams that won more tournaments than us but didn’t perform every tournament.”

Helping Manenti drive this work ethic among the players has been his assistant, the Australian sevens legend James ‘Chucky’ Stannard.

“We’ve been working together for three years (also previously with the national sevens women’s team). I think we’re quite a good balance for each other,” Manenti said.

“Chucky is passionate, but he’s forgotten more about sevens than most people know.

“His knowledge of the game – what to play and when to play it is exceptional.

“Through the young guys who come in – to have someone there who’s been in the trenches, and knows what to play and when to play it (is invaluable).

“And he’s out there running water and giving them advice, which is really helpful to them on the run.

“The jersey and team means so much to him because he’s part of the fabric. He’s been brilliant to have.

“His value to the group can’t be underestimated.”

With rugby often maligned in recent years, largely due to falling crowd attendances at international and Super Rugby games, Manenti believes the code can build off his team’s stunning triumph in Los Angeles.

“Obviously, our women were successful (also winning the 2022 World Sevens Series) and the Wallabies are starting to string together some good performances,” he said.

“I think from a Rugby Australia point of view, the more success and excitement we can create around the game in all different aspects, the more people will play the game, which is important.

“We probably won’t see the immediate effect from it now, but if we can continue to sustain some consistency we’ll certainly play our part.”

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