New Zealander Tony Monaghan has been named player of the Wellington World Series Sevens Tournament, some compensation perhaps for his side's defeat to Fiji in the final.
Monaghan, a regular member of New Zealand sevens squads in recent times, plays his rugby in the NPC for Northland and is hardly a household name , but this accolade is just reward for a fine sevens player.
Much was made of high profile additions to New Zealand's Wellington squad such as Jonah Lomu and Christian Cullen , but it was the performance of Monaghan which helped the side to sustain its momentum.Playing at scrum half , his play was unspectacular but always efficient - linking to maintain continuity, making the necessary tackles, kicking the vast majority of his goals. He is one of those players every sevens side needs - an individual who can play for the duration whilst the high profile impact players come and go.