Wales Sevens not resting on laurels

Posted on Mar 25, 2013 in Sevens, Wales

A ‘buoyant’ Wales Sevens side landed in Tokyo this morning braced for a tough draw in round seven of the HSBC Sevens World Series, the Tokyo Sevens at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground.

Paul John’s men put up a heroic performance in the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens in the weekend, losing a nail-biting final against defending champions Fiji in front of a packed Hong Kong Stadium.

It was the first time Wales had ever reached a Cup final in the IRB Sevens series. Leading 19-0 at halftime, Wales were just 10 minutes away from glory but super-sub Osea Kolinisau entered the fray and scored a second half hat-trick to deny Wales glory.

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“It was an amazing atmosphere as there was a lot of Welsh support there,” said Wales Sevens head coach Paul John. “I’m really proud of the effort the boys put in.

“The boys played some cracking rugby and entered the competition with a great attitude. They really accounted themselves well throughout the tournament. To go 19-0 up against a very good Fiji side in the first half of the final was an exceptional effort. Unfortunately we couldn’t get our hands on the ball in the second half and Fiji came away with the title.

“There is no time rest on our laurels though as we’ve got Kenya, USA and Scotland this week in the Japan Sevens. Some might say it is an easy group but as last weekend proved, there are no longer any easy groups on the circuit.

“We’re carrying a few bumps and bruises but just have to re-charge our batteries and maintain the momentum into this weekend.

“Kenya will be looking for revenge after we beat them in Hong Kong in the semi-finals and are looking for a top three finish while USA and Scotland will be desperate to get away from the bottom of the series standings as they won’t want to be relegated.”

Wales’ haul of 19 points for reaching the final has seen them jump to sixth place in the overall standings with 63 points with New Zealand leading the way with 113 with three rounds to play.

Will Greenwood on the JP Morgan Sevens

Posted on Mar 25, 2013 in Sevens

By Paul Smith, Sportsbeat – There has never been a more exciting time to prove your worth as a sevens rugby player according to England World Cup winner Will Greenwood.

Speaking at the launch of this year’s J.P. Morgan Premiership Rugby 7s tournament, for which he is an ambassador, Greenwood claimed those involved may have a realistic chance of choosing between a push for England’s 2015 World Cup squad or alternatively the Rio Olympic Games a year later.

Sevens rugby will be part of Rio 2016, adding to the excitement at this year’s J.P. Morgan 7s, and Greenwood believes it is the ideal chance for young professionals at Aviva Premiership clubs to show what they can do.

"In 2010 when Saracens won the first tournament it was a bit of a toe in the water and since then it has grown year-on-year," said Greenwood. "You get a glimpse of the future in seeing a lot of the academy lads coming through.

"It’s a real opportunity for the coaches. You never know what you are going to get in terms of the players that will be there – either the next generation of England players or England players returning to form – but what you are absolutely guaranteed is pace, athleticism and fun.

"It is good for the academy lads who are pushing to try and get into their senior sides to showcase their talent before the season starts.

"If you are 18, 19 or 20 now and you have got bags of pace and commitment you have got wonderful choice – do I focus on my XVs and try and win a World Cup with England at Twickenham? Or do I switch and give Ben Ryan a call and try and play 7s and win an Olympic gold medal in Rio? Nice decisions to have."

The J.P. Morgan Premiership Rugby 7s kicks off on 1st August at Kingsholm with rounds at Franklin’s Gardens and Allianz Park and the final at The Recreation Ground. For tickets and more information visit: www.jpmorgan7s.com or follow @jpmorganrugby7

Moscow 2013 on Track to Host ‘Rugby’s Biggest Party’

Posted on Oct 26, 2012 in Sevens

As Moscow continues its preparation to host Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013, confidence is high that the event will be a spectacular experience for fans and teams, while providing the catalyst to accelerate Rugby’s rapid growth in Russia.

Officials from tournament owners Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) held a series of meetings with the Rugby Union of Russia (RUR) and representatives from the City of Moscow and Russian Government and they are impressed by the advancing preparations and excited by plans to engage and entertain visiting fans from Russia and around the world.

The prestigious event, hosted at the iconic Luzhniki Olympic Park in Moscow from June 28-30, is on track to take the Sevens experience a step further with a cultural, music and food festival set to provide an additional dimension to a sport that is globally renowned for its high-quality entertainment on and off the field of play.

Working in partnership with the City of Moscow and Russian Government, the RUR has been able to implement an attractive ticketing programme, starting at just US$5 to attract a new wave of Rugby fans.

RWCL Board Director and Chairman of the Welsh Rugby Union, David Pickering said: "There is no doubt that Moscow 2013 will be a sensational event on and off the field. I have been impressed with the progress that has been made by all parties. The City of Moscow has truly bought into the Sevens ethos of an exciting fan experience and from what we have seen, Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 promises to be Rugby’s biggest party."

RWCL Managing Director Brett Gosper added: "It will be a special event for fans and teams. Moscow has an exceptional record of delivering successful major sports and entertainment events. We are sure fans will love using Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 as a platform to promote Moscow’s vibrant entertainment culture at a venue in the very heart of the city."

"Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 will be more than a Rugby event for Russia. It will be a platform to reach out to new fans throughout the country and raise awareness of an Olympic sport that continues to grow in interest and participation. We have had some positive meetings on areas including the ticketing programme, venue planning and accommodation and also received a positive update on the official travel programme which was recently launched and reaches out to travelling supporters from around the world."

Rugby is accelerating in growth and interest, boosted by the country’s love and support of Olympic sports. A strong schools programme in the Moscow region, two professional leagues with strong attendances and a passion for major sports events points to a very strong crowd at the Luzhniki Olympic Park.

RUR President Vyacheslav Kopiev said: "With less than 250 days before the biggest party on the Rugby Sevens calendar kicks off, the Rugby Union of Russia is confident that we have in place all the ingredients for a memorable and successful event. The Luzhniki Stadium is a proven theatre for major sporting events and with Russians embracing Rugby, the newest Olympic sport, we are confident that fans from near and far will be attracted to an event that is an incredible experience for sports lovers of all ages."

The global qualification process for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 is reaching its climax. So far 20 of the 24 men’s nations and 15 of the 16 women’s nations have been determined. Russia 2013 will see history being made with the Tunisia and Fiji women’s teams competing at a Rugby World Cup Sevens for the first time.

IRB Confirms Pool Draw for Round 2 of HSBC Sevens World Series in Dubai

Posted on Oct 16, 2012 in Sevens

The IRB has confirmed the pool draw for round 2 of the HSBC Sevens World Series, the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens on 30 November-1 December 2012.

The draw was made live on television before the Cup final of the Gold Coast Sevens, the opening round of the 2012/13 season.

Having failed to reach the Cup quarter finals in Australia, defending Dubai champions England face a tough task with pool matches against South Africa and Samoa as well as Portugal.

Pools – Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens

Pool A

Fiji, Kenya, Spain, Scotland

Pool B

New Zealand, Argentina, Wales, Russia

Pool C

South Africa, Samoa, England, Portugal

Pool D

France, Australia, Canada, USA

Following their win on the Gold Coast, Fiji have an early lead in the HSBC Sevens World Series 2012/13. They currently lie on 22 points ahead of New Zealand (19), South Africa (17), Kenya (15) and Argentina (13).

Review of Round 1 of the 2012/13 HSBC Sevens World Series

Posted on Oct 16, 2012 in Sevens

Review of the 1st round of the 2012/2013 HSBC Sevens World Series on Australia’s Gold Coast. We hear from England’s Rob Vickerman and Scotland’s Colin Gregor as well as tournament champions Fiji.

Fiji defeated New Zealand 32-14 in the final of the 2012 Gold Coast Sevens to successfully defend the title they won last year and take an early lead in the HSBC Sevens World Series 2012/13.

Two of Fiji’s seven debutants stole the show in the Cup final at Skilled Park, Ratu Raitini scoring an impressive hat-trick and Player of the Tournament Joji Raqamate crossing twice.

The victory means Fiji collect 22 Series points to sit top of the standings, ahead of New Zealand (19) and South Africa (17), who beat impressive Kenya (15) in the third place play-off.

Earlier, Argentina beat France 14-7 to win the Plate, new core team Spain edged England to lift the Bowl and hat-tricks from Michael Fedo and James Fleming helped Scotland to the Shield.

Olympic Gold dust rubs off on Rugby Sevens stars

Posted on Oct 12, 2012 in Australia, Sevens

Australia men’s and women’s Rugby Sevens captains, Ed Jenkins and Rebecca Tavo, were offered a tantalising glimpse into the life of an Olympian when they met up with three-time Olympic medallist, swimmer Melanie Schlanger, ahead of the Gold Coast Sevens.

A resident of the Gold Coast, Schlanger won gold in the 4 x 100m freestyle relay, and silver in both the 4 x 200m freestyle and 4 x 100m medley at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

"Every time I look at these medals it brings back all the memories, so it’s something that I’m going to cherish for a long time," said Schlanger.

"It’s really exciting that the Sevens is going to be in the next Olympics and they get a chance to chase that dream, and it is a big dream. I really hope that they can experience it," added Schlanger, who was excited to welcome Rugby Sevens athletes into the Australian Olympic family.

"Any time you get to associate yourself with another Olympic sport is exciting and the Rugby Sevens is such an action-packed game that it’s going to be really great to be a part of the Olympics, to bring that fun atmosphere to the Games and intermingle that with the other sports as well. It’s going to be great.

"Receiving an Olympic medal is something you can’t fully describe in words, just that feeling is overwhelming and to sing your national anthem on top of an Olympic dais is the pinnacle of sport, in my opinion,” added Schlanger.

Having helped Australia to victory at the first Rugby World Cup Sevens for women in 2009, Rebecca Tavo is a reigning World Champion. She will soon embark on the first IRB Women’s Sevens World Series, which she hopes can act as a key stepping stone on the Road to Rio.

"Just standing here next to Melanie is awesome, I hope to be like her one day and achieve what she has achieved," said Tavo.

"It’s definitely a dream and a lot of hard work is going to have to go in between now and Rio because we have such a new and young team. We’re going to have to get some good experience and game time in the young girls’ legs.”

Jenkins claimed a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, and is dreaming of going one better in four years’ time.

"It would be huge. Just having seen and touched Mel’s medals has made me a bit envious and I’ll be doing everything I can to get to Rio," he said.

Schlanger, meanwhile, was looking forward to attending her first Rugby Sevens event, the Gold Coast Sevens on 13-14 October, which is round one of the new HSBC Sevens World Series.

"I’m really excited to see what it’s all about and cheer on the Aussies," she said.