ANALYSIS: Sevens' ultimate gamble hits jackpot

The Sevens program went all in with the ultimate coaching gamble. It just paid out in more ways than initially imagined.The decision to swap coaches at the start of the Series came with plenty of questions and confusion.John Manenti had just guided the women’s program to back-to-back golds in Dubai whilst Tim Walsh was slowly building the Men’s.It was guided by the disappointing Olympic campaign, with full knowledge the next 12 months were crucial for the direction of elite Sevens in the country.However, the call paid off in a major way with both sides claiming the World Series, the first time in history for the Men."It is very sweet because I didn't imagine we'd be in this position that we are so soon," Manenti told reporters."The first game I took over we had a 12-all draw with Germany (in Malaga). I deadset thought after coming off back-to-back golds with the girls in Dubai 'what the hell is going on here.' Little did I think we'd turn these guys into world champions so soon."It’s fitting the series was won in LA because it’s a Hollywood-worthy story for Manenti, captain Nick Malouf and the Sevens side.They barely have enough full-time players to pull together a starting side, let alone an entire squad.However, whilst the Olympic and Commonwealth Games results didn’t quite reflect it, the squad were still quietly building something special.After all, million-dollar men like Samu Kerevi don’t just turn down Wallabies honours for nothing."I sense when I took over a little bit of the Brumbies, those guys that didn't make the Reds or Waratahs, I sensed there was a little bit of this group," Manenti notes."There were a few guys who either deserved an opportunity or didn't get the chance at various stages of their career, it fits the misfits model that we're enjoying here."The decision paved the way for a new generation of stars to make their names.Corey Toole is the best example of this, plucked out of the John I Dent Cup with his hype largely contained to the Canberra Rugby scene who had witnessed the Gungahlin flyer torch defence after defence.He instantly took the World Series by notice and went straight to the top of the Player of the Year award standings after blitzing performances in Dubai.Combining with Dietrich Roache, who had only featured for Australia in Olympic action, the pair become two key leaders in the side heading forward.The young guns along with the likes of remaining veterans Nick Malouf, Maurice Longbottom, Josh Turner and Henry Hutchison, were galvanised and created an environment where any player could step in and do their job, regardless of whether it was a week or an entire World Series.They were given as little as three days in some cases to come in and make their mark on the world stageThat’s where Manenti’s skills came in.The former Eastwood boss knows the Shute Shield better than anyone and with funds and resources limited, knew this is where the bulk of their squad had to come from.With TG Milner still on speed dial, the call to scrum half Matt Gonzalez instantly made off in Singapore as he was named in the Dream Team.It was an remarkable consistency that kept closing the gap to the Blitzboks after they won the first four events, the only team to never miss the quarter-finals throughout the entire series.As Walsh correctly predicted, South Africa hit a wall midway through the tournament, providing the chance for the likes of the Aussies and Argentina to claw back the gap as Fiji and New Zealand returned to the tour.

Then came London, where the Australians truly announced themselves as title contenders.An early loss to New Zealand forced them to do it the hard way but set the platform for their eventual title charge as they faced the South Africans in the quarter-finals.This typifies the title fight, the Blitzboks racing out to an imposing lead before the gritty Aussies fighting back.Junior Wallabies star Ben Dowling started the comeback but the second half was the emergence of Henry Paterson as a bonfire Sevens star.Manenti’s challenge to the Easts flyer to improve was heard loud and clear as he crossed twice to ensure the leaders’ early exit from London.Another freaking performance by Paterson downed New Zealand in arguably the match of the Series, setting up a grandstand finish in LA.Still needing results to go their way, the perfect platform was provided as the South Africans fell to hosts USA and New Zealand, resided to 13th spot.This put destiny in their own hands and whilst a semi-final defeat to Fiji delayed the celebrations, a dominant showing against Samoa helped seal the deal."It's the quickest I've seen a team bounce from a loss and just move on which was taking care of Samoa which I thought we did really well in the end," Malouf notes."It all worked out in the end."It’s those stars moulded by Manenti (and Walsh at the start of the series) that stepped up to write their names in history.Toole and Roache’s combination was deadly, setting up the first try.Paterson showed off the killer instincts and incredible work rate to back up Toole and extend the lead.Roache’s third sealed the game but it was the work of Malouf that ultimately secured the title with a late turnover.For Malouf and his fellow Sevens veterans, it’s just reward after often finding their achievements overshadowed by the all-conquering women's side."There is Gatorade all over the (dressing room) roof, the boom box is out of juice and I think you can hear in my throat, it's pretty dusty just from singing," Malouf said on the immeadiate. celebrations."A year of hard work, we're so pleased to be able to celebrate it now."It all comes back to that bold call made in December, going all-in with the short-term future of the program.Both teams now leave the casino lining their pockets with gold, with the prospect of a maiden World Cup still on the horizon.Click Here: manly sea eagles team jersey