Hamilton

Hamilton sevens cancelled for 2021

World Rugby made the announcement due to the continued global uncertainty surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic.

In March, World Rugby postponed all remaining tournaments in the 2020 series, while last month the opening rounds of the new series set down for Dubai and Cape Town later this year where cancelled.

New Zealand Rugby General Manager Professional Rugby & Performance Chris Lendrum said it was disappointing for the teams, fans, and event partners, but a sensible decision under current circumstances.

Hamilton set for giant weekend of rugby

Hamilton is the new stage for this year’s New Zealand round, and is set to welcome more than 50,000 fans through its doors on 3-4 February. Much like the tournament, teams will look at this as a fresh opportunity to get valuable points which will help them climb the series table and improve their Rugby World Cup Sevens seedings ahead of San Francisco in July. 

Hamilton on brink of F1 title triumph following Austin win

Mercedes driver Hamilton started on pole and triumphed with relative comfort in Austin to remain firmly in charge of the destiny of the championship, Vettel finishing second in Texas to keep his own slim hopes alive. 

The Briton now leads by 66 points with a maximum of 75 available to Vettel over the final three races of the season.

Wellington Sevens moving to Hamilton

The Wellington Sevens has been part of the HSBC World Rugby Seven Series since 2000 and was one of the most popular events on the New Zealand sporting calendar.

However, in recent years the event has struggled to attract the large crowds it was renowned for at the height of its popularity.

In 2016, New Zealand Rugby recorded its first financial loss from the Wellington Sevens and the writing appeared on the wall for a move.

The All Black Sevens won nine times in Wellington - the team's spiritual home - enjoying victory most recently in 2016.

Elliot: Chiefs forwards firing

The 31-year-old hooker, set to win his 107th Chiefs cap against the Hurricanes in Hamilton on Friday, believes they're 'firing beyond' from where they were 12 months ago after two dominant displays against the Highlanders and the Blues.

Kane Hames and Nepo Laulala will start either side of Elliot in the front row for the third successive game, which is the only consistency in selection the Chiefs have stuck with in their forwards this season.

Steven Luatua sorry for wild red card tackle as Chiefs conquer Blues in Hamilton

The Blues were their own worst enemies as the Chiefs beat them again with a resounding six-try victory in Hamilton.

Steven Luatua has nobody to blame but himself and he knows it, after his red card just before half-time reduced the Blues to 14 men in Friday night's Battle of the Bombays clash, which the Chiefs won 41-26.

Chiefs trust their depth as Michael Leitch returns to face the Blues in Hamilton

They've done so again for Friday night's highly anticipated Battle of the Bombays encounter against the Blues in Hamilton, with Michael Leitch back in the fold.

The back row has re-shuffled from the round one win over the Highlanders, with Leitch starting at No 8 and shifting Liam Messam to blindside flanker in place of Taleni Seu.

Sam Cane's continued absence (ankle) sees Lachlan Boshier take the No 7 jersey from Mitch Karpik, who drops out of the squad with Mitchell Brown, while Tom Sanders is promoted to the bench.