Stars Rugby 7s & Mana Whey Coral Coast 7s

The Stars Rugby 7s entered both a women’s and men’s team in the prestigious Mana Whey Coral Coast Sevens in Fiji. The Stars Women shined in the tournament reaching the Cup Semi-finals before a final play comeback by Hong Kong defeated the previously undefeated Stars, 19-17. The Men exited the tournament after the Bowl Semi-finals losing to Sigatoka River Safari Henibua 29-0.

Stars Women and Crest Nalri Cup

The Stars began pool play with a walk over 28-0 forfeit win over the Blue Light and then had their first match of the tournament against Fijiana. At the end of the half, Fijianaheld a 12-5 lead with Sabrina Poulin scoring a try for the Stars. In the second half, the Stars raced back and claimed an important 17-12 win. Ashleigh Walker and Mardi Watts scored tries and Walker added a conversion.

The Stars then dominated the Hotspring Savusavu in the Cup quarterfinals winning 29-0 after a 22-0 lead at the break. In the first half, tries were scored by Pam Buisa, Rhiannon Byers, Mardi Watts and Sabrina Poulin with a conversion by Ashleigh Walker. After the break, Corinne Heavner added a try and a conversion.

In the Cup Semi-finals, the Stars faced Hong Kong, who beat Fijiana12-10 in their quarterfinal match. The Stars had a 17-5 lead at the break with Rhiannon Byers, Tiarna Molloy and Ashleigh walker scoring tries. Hong Kong stormed back, however, to take a 19-17 win on the final play of the match.

The Crest Nalri Cup was won by the Strikers with a 19-12 win over Hong Kong. The Plate was won by Fijiana 22-21 over Snax Nadi Aviators.

Stars Men & Mana Whey Cup

The Stars Rugby 7s Men’s team began pool play with a 10-5 win over the BLK Iron Courage. They had a 10-0 lead at the break with tries by Bailey Stringer and Simeli Koniferedi.

In the second match, the Stars were defeated 22-0 by a tough Wardens team.

In the final pool match, the Stars needed to win to advance to the Cup quarterfinals. Against Cross of Victory the Stars held a 10-7 lead at halftime with Ben Ellermann and Simeli Koniferedi scoring tries. They could not hold the lead and ultimately fell 19-10.

In the Bowl quarterfinals, the Stars faced Hong Kong. At the break, the score was even at 14 all. Simeli Koniferedi added a try and a conversion and Chris Bey scored the other try. In the second half, Shane Aysen added the winning try as the Stars moved on to the Bowl Semi-finals with a 19-14 win.

The Bowl Semi-finals proved to be an obstacle that the Stars would not be able to conquer as they lost to the Sigatoka River Safari Henibua 29-0.

Stars Rugby 7s Men – Liz Entwhistle

Stars Rugby 7s Squads

Stars Women’s Roster
*Emily Bass – center/scrumhalf/wing – Bond University, Gold Coast, Australia
*Pam Buisa – prop – Canada 7s, Victoria, Canada
Rhiannon Byers – prop/wing – Inverell Highlanders, Pallamallawa, Australia
*Corinne Heavner – scrumhalf/flyhalf – Penn State University/Old Blue 7s, State College/New York, USA
Jade Huggins – prop/hooker – Liverpool Cougars, Sydney, Australia
Tiarna Molloy – prop/hooker – West Bulldogs/Tribe 7s, Brisbane, Australia
Mahalia Murphy – prop/hooker – Australia 7s, Australia
Sabrina Poulin – center/wing – Canada 7s, Victoria, Canada
*Miranda Rodriguez – wing – Chicago Women’s Rugby/Chicago Griffins 7s, Chicago, USA
Ashleigh Walker – scrumhalf – Inverell Highlanders, Moree, Australia
Mardi Watts – wing -Warringah, Sydney, Australia

COACH: Mere Baker, New Zealand
PHYSIO: Patrick Bowen, Australia
DIRECTOR: Liz Entwhistle, USA

*indicates veteran of previous Stars tours

Stars Rugby 7s Men’s Roster
*Shane Aysen – wing/center – Hilton Head Rugby, Hilton Head, USA
Chris Bey – prop – Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
*Najee Bissoon – wing – Oklahoma University, Norman, USA
*Trace Bolstad – flyhalf/scrumhalf – Metropolis Rugby Club, Minneapolis, USA
James Boozer – prop -Byron Bay Rugby Club, Byron Bay, Australia
*Ben Ellermann -center/wing – FC St Pauli/Germany 7s/Germany 15s, Hamburg, Germany
*Chase Jollie – prop – Wisconsin Rugby Club, Madison, USA
Simeli Koniferedi – hooker – Police, Sigatoka, Fiji
*Wayden Mosinkie – center/prop – Hilton Head Rugby, Hilton Head, USA
*Martin Pittman – wing/hooker – Washington Rugby Club, Washington DC, USA
*Joseva Rakabu – flyhalf/scrumhalf – Washington Rugby Club, Washington DC, USA
*Bailey Stringer -scrumhalf/flyhalf/hooker – Arizona State University, Tempe, USA

Injury Reserve: Atunaisa Matanisiga – prop – Momi Tigers, Momi Village, Fiji

COACH: David Mays, New Zealand
PHYSIO: Patrick Bowen, Australia
DIRECTOR: Liz Entwhistle, USA

*indicates veteran of previous Stars tours