Kiwi Coaches South Africa

South Africans team up with a champion Kiwi sevens coach

When the Toa Worldwide team takes the field at the Global Youth Sevens in Auckland on December 19 it will mark the arrival of the first South African-based entry in the 10-year history of the tournament.

But perhaps just as significantly, Toa Worldwide’s presence will also herald the return of a tournament notable from eight years earlier, in the form of team coach and former All Black Sevens player Hayden Reid.

In 2017 Reid coached the New Zealand Condors (boys) team to the title in what was then known as the World Schools Sevens, thrashing Australia in the semifinals and then conquering New Zealand Fijians in the final.

Now Reid, these days back working at Tauranga Boys College, has put his hand up to coach a hybrid Toa team built around six South African youths, four Welsh players, one from Zimbabwe and couple of Kiwis.

“I’m walking in a bit blind, but it is just neat to be involved again and I’ve heard some of the boys are pretty good,” Reid said. “It’s amazing what you can do with raw talent once you set out a few basics as coach.

“Global Youth Sevens is an awesome tournament and an opportunity to play against the very best age group talent. It’s a big challenge but with no real pressure, so everyone can just enjoy it for what it is.”

In reflecting on his 2017 success, Reid noted that it helped that his squad included emerging stars in Leroy Carter and Emoni Narawa, both of whom have since gone on to earn All Black caps.

“Back then sevens talent identification tended to be more difficult, but we certainly struck it lucky and the tournament itself proved to be a great stage for the boys.”