ScrumQueens’ VIIs player of 2014
This poll was was the closest of all, with four players - Emilee Cherry (who won last year), Patricia Garcia, Sarah Goss and Tyla Nathan Wong separated by just one or two votes.
Published by John Birch, January 2nd, 2015
3 minute read
Plaudits rained down on all four.
Supporters of Spain's Patricia Garcia spoke of her inspiration, her dedicaction, and the vital role she plays in a country where rugby is not yet a major sport.
Those voting for Emilee Cherry (Australia) spoke of her pace, skill, dedication and hard work. "Strong in both attack and defence, modest, and a fantastic role model"
New Zealand's Tyla Natan Wong was praised as the "best halfback/ sweeper in the game. Crucial to NZ's success heading to Rio 2016" and how she is "the first to arrive, and the last to leave at every training session", "an outstanding team player, with individual brilliance"
But after long debate we have decided to give ScrumQueens' VIIs Player of the Year award toSarah Goss,who as one person wrote in nominating her, is "outstanding in all facets of play, leading from the front."
It has been quite a year for Goss, who was also shortlisted for World Rugby's Sevens Player of the Year title as well as winning New Zealand's Sevens Player of the year at the Steinlager Awards.
Still relatively new to the international game, Goss grew into her role as a leader this year and in the absence at times through injury to regular NZ captain Huriana Manuel, she led from the front.
That was never more evident in the final recently in Dubai when, with her side trailing 17-0 to Australia she came up with two tries, one in the final play of the match, to seal it.
As often happens in the sevens game, the work of the forwards is often less rewarded than the wide players whose pace and finishing catch the eye more often than not, but this year Goss's work through the middle and her superb linking play has been impossible to ignore.
A star now and set to dominate the game for years to come.