Waldrom: S Africa and Fiji will be New Zealand's biggest threats at Rio Games
NZ great Waldrom says S Africa and Fiji are biggest rivals at Rio Games
Even by their exalted standards, it has been a year to remember for New Zealand rugby.
The All Blacks made history when they lifted the World Cup in London, becoming the first side to retain the title and also as the first three-time winners of the William Webb Ellis trophy.
The big target for next year for the rugby-obsessed nation will be gold at the Rio Olympics, when sevens makes its Games debut.
Former Kiwi Sevens' star Scott Waldrom is backing his country to become the first nation to win Olympic gold next year, although he says they won't be as big a favourite as many would think.
"I definitely have to support New Zealand and back them to win it," the 35-year-old told The New Paper yesterday, on the sidelines of the "Heroes in the Making" programme at St Andrew's Secondary School.
"But in 7s, anyone can beat anyone and a lot of the countries are really putting in a lot of effort in it now.
"Countries like America and Japan are slowly getting better… No one would have believed a country like Jamaica or Portugal could beat New Zealand, but they have.
POSSIBLE
"It's a real possibility that anyone can do it, but I think the big three right now are New Zealand, South Africa and Fiji."
After the success of the All Blacks over the past four years, Waldrom says expectations will be high at home and he believes it will serve to motivate the players.
"We definitely take our rugby seriously and expect our teams to win all the time," he said.
"The players know that and are working really hard at the moment.
"I spend a bit of time with the Wellington-based players and they're putting in a lot of effort because they know there's the expectation and they're excited.
"The good thing about New Zealand is that we like a challenge and something like winning a gold medal at the Olympics is a great thing to aim for."
One of the saddest days in New Zealand rugby in a long time was when the legendary Jonah Lomu died on Nov 18.
Waldrom acknowledged the loss of one of the game's greatest wingers at the age of 40 was tragic, but he is confident Lomu's legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
"In my very first professional game, I was next to him for Wellington against the Lions," Waldrom recalled.
NEXT TO LOMU
"It was pretty nervous just playing my first game, but having someone like that, whom you admired and used to watch on television, sitting next to me was pretty special."
"It's a moment I'll never forget, especially considering he gave me a bad pass when I thought I was about to score a try!" added Waldrom with a laugh.
"But he was such a good guy off the field, always had time for people and was such a real ambassador so it's a real shame to lose someone like that.
"Jonah didn't come from a special school or anything like that…
"He was just a kid who had natural talent and was big and powerful, and he used that to be good at what he did.
"For all the kids out there who are naturally gifted as well, take that, work and there will be plenty of opportunities."
"Countries like America and Japan are slowly getting better… No one would have believed a country like Jamaica or Portugal could beat New Zealand, but they have.
— Former Kiwi Sevens’ star Scott Waldrom, on the tight competition on the world stage
Ex-Kiwi legend Waldrom impressed by Singapore's rugby 7s youngsters
He spent the past two days coaching the group and watching how they absorbed the lessons and applied them, and former New Zealand rugby star Scott Waldrom was impressed.
Speaking to The New Paper yesterday, the former Kiwi Sevens international said: "The best thing about the Singaporean kids is that they're really coachable…
"I don't find myself repeating a lot compared to back home.
"These boys have shown glimpses of what they're capable off and 7s is a great opportunity to see the world and enjoy what rugby has to offer.
"It's a different option and it's a possibility that Singapore could look to focus on, rather than the 15s."
As part of the HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens youth outreach programme called "Heroes in the Making", 22 Under-16 schoolboys were specially selected for an intensive training exercise at St Andrew's Secondary School under the watchful eyes of Waldrom.
The group of 22, aged between 14 and 16, will join the Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) Academy and be blooded in the various national age-group squads and be groomed to be future internationals.
OVERSEAS STINT
The two best-performing boys will be selected for an overseas training stint in Wellington at Super Rugby club Hurricanes next year.
Said Waldrom: "This group of 22 were brought in for some pretty tough training for the past two days. With the heat and everything, it's quite impressive to see how hard they've worked."
Siew Hao Ren, one of the boys lucky enough to learn from a man who represented New Zealand in 7s rugby from 2002 to 2007, was thrilled at the opportunity.
The Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) student said: "It's been a great honour to be able to learn from a player like Scott, but also to be in the presence of all these great players, who are probably the future of Singapore rugby.
"It's been fun and I've really enjoyed myself."
A selection committee comprising Singapore Rugby Union general manager George Danapal, SRU technical director Inoke Afaeki and Waldrom will pick the two players for the Hurricanes training stint.
They are expected to make an announcement about it today. - GABRIEL TAN
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