Sevens rugby

Coronavirus: Olympics rugby sevens test event cancelled

The Japanese Rugby Football Union announced that next month's Asia Sevens Invitational, which was to double as a test event for rugby sevens at the  2020 Games, has been cancelled due to concerns over the spreading of the deadly virus.

Organisers are now hoping to reschedule the rugby sevens test event at some stage when the situation is more safe.

Rugby sevens made its Olympics debut at the last Games at Rio 2016.

Tahiti rugby players pull out of Mini Games

Sevens was to be one of two sports featuring Tahitian athletes in Port Vila, after the French Polynesian government opted to boycott the event and not support the team.

Pacific Games Council CEO Andrew Minogue said they were expecting the team to arrive in Vanuatu on Thursday before being informed they weren't coming at all.

New-look 7s line-up in store for Samoa

RNZ reports the Manu finished in ninth place last season, their first under new coach Damian McGrath.

The squad reached the quarter finals or better at four of ten tournaments, highlighted by victory in the penultimate round in Paris.

Captain Falemiga Selesele was named in the Series Dream Team while Phoenix Hunapo-Nofoa was nominated for Rookie of the Year.

But Damian McGrath said both players are unlikely to return.

Sonny Bill Williams out of Olympics sevens

RNZ reports New Zealand suffered one of the biggest upsets in sevens history when they were beaten 14-12 by Japan.

In a double blow for the team Sonny Bill Williams has been ruled out of the tournament with a partial Achilles rupture. He has been replaced by Sione Molia.

Joe Webber also left the field with a suspected dislocated shoulder.

The New Zealanders struggled to get possession in the first half of the pool match against Japan - with the score 7-7 at half time - and Japan defended well after the break.

Rugby sevens: The story so far!

It's been a sensational first half to the 2015-16 series with Fiji, South Africa and New Zealand sharing the five Cup titles on offer, with the three sides separated by just nine points at the top of the standings following Ben Ryan's side's second Cup win of the season in Las Vegas.

Kolinisau to lead Fiji 7s team third year in-a–row

And the Namuka-i-Lau native aims to make amends at the Cake Tin after he and Semi Kunatani let the team down last year.

This was after they were cited for dangerous tackles in their final pool match against Australia which resulted in the duo missing out in the quarterfinal against England. Fiji lost 26-21 but bounced back to win the Plate title defeating Australia 24-0.

Kolinisau admitted yesterday this was the downfall of the team last year.

De Villiers: Sevens unbelievably tough now

Not only did he spend large chunks of his illustrious career there with Super Rugby outfits the Stormers and Western Province, but also as captain of the Springboks.

Nauru sevens team keen to learn and improve

It will be only Nauru's second-ever international rugby appearance, after making their debut at the Pacific Games in July, where they finished winless and last in the men's competition.

Head coach Ashly Dagan says they just want to get better.

Rio Olympics 2016: sevens minnow Nauru blocking Australia’s path to qualification

But the footballing minnows from Nauru stand in the way of the Australian men’s sevens team qualifying for next year’s Rio Olympics.

The tiny Pacific island is Australia’s first pool opponent in the Oceania Regional Olympic qualifier in Auckland this weekend.

To help prepare for the tournament the team went into camp last weekend — at the coach’s home — where they had team bonding, training, video sessions and team talks.

Aussie Sevens squad selected for crucial Oceania Olympic qualifier

Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens interim Head Coach Tim Walsh has named an extended 15-man squad for the Oceania Regional Olympic Qualifier in Auckland (14-15 November).
 
Ed Jenkins skippers an experienced side that also includes 30 + cap veterans Jesse Parahi and Con Foley. Pama Fou, Greg Jeloudev and Henry Hutchison offer pace out wide while Wallaby Henry Speight, recently returned from 2015 Rugby World Cup duty, will also travel with the squad for the trip to New Zealand.