rugby sevens

Dubai to host final World Cup qualifier

Hong Kong, Kenya, the United States and Portugal will clash in a round-robin format, and the winners will go into Pool C at the World Cup, alongside Wales, Australia, Fiji and Georgia.

The World Cup will be played in France for the second time from Sept. 8 next year. The country also hosted the tournament in 2007.

     

7s super coach to attend POM fundraiser

A veteran of 22 seasons, Tietjens is regarded as New Zealand’s and the sport’s most successful coach.

He has coached well over 100 international Sevens Tournaments since taking over the New Zealand sides in 1994.

Under Tietjens, the All Blacks Sevens team has become the most successful in the world, winning four Commonwealth games gold medals, 11 HSBC World Series Sevens titles including the 2012/2013 series, and two IRB Sevens World Championship titles in 2001 and in 2013.

Pacific Islands could take the Rugby Sevens from Wellington

New Zealand Rugby has two years to run on its contract with World Rugby, but it struggled to get 10,000 people each day into Westpac Stadium.

After 18 years of Wellington playing host, there's fresh calls to take the tournament to Fiji, the home of the Rugby Sevens Olympic champions.

The NZR General Manager of Relationships, Planning and Operations Nigel Cass says the tournament has been arguably the world's most successful but it's not as fresh as it once was.

Fiji names 7s team for Wellington and Sydney

Mesulame Kunavula and Nacanieli Labalaba will make their debut, while Kalioni Nasoko, Amenoni Nasilasila and Alivereti Veitokani make a return to the side.

Jasa Veremalua, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Setareki Bituniyata, Nemani Nagusa, Jerry Tuwai, Osea Kolinisau, Samisoni Viriviri and Joeli Lutumailagi have been retained from the last leg.

Vatemo Ravouvou who missed out on the first leg of the tournament has also been named in the team.

Fiji Rugby and PM pay tribute to Ryan

The apparent snub came a month after Ryan had tangled with the Fiji Rugby Union over player payments.

However the FRU said Ryan had simply not been nominated by any local club affiliates.

At Saturday's event Fiji's Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama paid tribute to Ryan and the Englishman was inducted into the Wall of Fame alongside Apakuki Tuitavua, Ratu Sir George Cakobau, Barry Sweetman and Pio Bosco Tikoisuva.

Fiji men's sevens up for world breakthrough award despite coaching snub at home

The Fijian men's sevens side that won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games is one of finalists for the 'Breakthrough of the Year' title at the Laureus Sports Awards.

It's a tough category to win though - the victors are up against the likes of shock English Premier League champions Leicester City and Formula One motor racing champion Nico Rosberg.

But Ben Ryan, the Englishman who coached Fiji to Olympic glory, wasn't even nominated by the Fiji Rugby Union as a Coach of the Year finalists at their inaugural awards.

Fiji vow to learn from Dubai 7s defeat

Interim head coach Naca Cawanibuka ‏described it as a "tough day at the office" while Captain Osea Kolinisau tweeted that he was "Proud of the boys. A good start to the season and we will come out stronger next week."

Fiji still had the most players named in the tournament dream team, with newcomer Setareki Bituniyata joining Kolinisau and Jerry Tuwai.

Fiji have been drawn in Pool B in Cape Town, alongside France, Kenya and Japan.

World Rugby says Rio was a big boost for the game

Rugby's return to the Games after a 92-year absence could not have gone better for those promoting the sport as Fiji won their first Olympic medal with exhilarating play while Australia won a women's event widely praised for the quality on show.

Research carried out for World Rugby claimed that in six surveyed markets - France, Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and the United States - fan numbers have grown by almost 17 million as a direct result of Olympic inclusion.

Hayne praised by San Francisco 49ers coach

Kelly also doused speculation the 49ers were planning to cut Hayne, which led to the Australian making a face-saving exit.

The 49ers instead were bullish on Hayne, praising his ability to pick up Kelly's new offence and excited about using his powerful, 188cm body and skills.

"He's a really sharp learner," Kelly told reporters on Tuesday at the 49ers' Santa Clara facility.

"We were excited. He's a big body and has a skill set."

Sonny Bill Williams, Cooper set for sevens showdown

Williams has been included in the New Zealand squad to play in Wellington this weekend, a strong pointer he will also feature in the inaugural Sydney 7s world series leg on February 6-7 at Allianz Stadium.

The All Blacks' World Cup champion has taken a season off Super Rugby to seek selection for the Rio Olympics, and his new coach, Sir Gordon Tietjens, says Williams is ahead of schedule in his transition to the seven-a-side game.