IT LOOKS as though rugby sevens maestro Gordon Tietjens may have produced another Christian Cullen in ginger-headed teenager Declan O’Donnell, judging from his brilliant play in the Wellington tournament before a festive crowd.
Three tries by the Waikato 20-year-old in Saturday night’s 29-14 final triumph against England and 10 overall was testimony to O’Donnell’s freakish talent.
That he failed to win selection in last year’s world champion under-21 New Zealand side just goes to show the extraordinary depth of the country’s winger talent.
Whether O’Donnell can convert his sevens brilliance into the 15-man game remains to be seen, but he has the speed, power and sidestep to be a sevens sensation.
That New Zealand could win the Wellington tournament despite losing inspirational captain DJ Forbes so early to a hamstring injury was a further tribute to Tietjens’ coaching when picking a team after 150 others were chosen for the country’s five Super 15 franchises.
While England had size and speed, they lacked the overall tenacity and smarts of New Zealand whose experienced pros Tomasi Cama, Lote Raikabula and Tim Mikkelson were once again great value.
Meanwhile, it was nice to see star batsman Jesse Ryder produce a timely century in spearheading the Black Caps to their 57-run ODI Eden Park cricket win against a Pakistan combination that claimed the series comfortably 3-2.
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