{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1.1", "user_comment": "This feed allows you to read the posts from this site in any feed reader that supports the JSON Feed format. To add this feed to your reader, copy the following URL -- https://www.asiarugby.com/tag/hsbc/feed/json/ -- and add it your reader.", "home_page_url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/tag/hsbc/", "feed_url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/tag/hsbc/feed/json/", "language": "en-US", "title": "HSBC Archives - Asia Rugby", "description": "Regional Association of the Governing Body for the Global Game", "items": [ { "id": "https://www.asiarugby.com/?p=9300", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/2023/03/03/hsbc-canada-sevens-set-for-historic-weekend/", "title": "HSBC Canada Sevens set for historic weekend", "content_html": "

The 28 captains gathered on Wednesday on the traditional territory of Tsleil-Waututh Nation ahead of the highly anticipated HSBC Canada Sevens on 3-5 March, which sees the women\u2019s Series join the men for the first time ever at BC Place as the race for Series glory and Olympic qualification heats up.

\n\n

The world\u2019s best men\u2019s and women\u2019s rugby sevens players will return to action in Vancouver this weekend with a three-day event from 3-5 March as the race for HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series glory and the all-important Olympic qualification heats up.

\n

The 28 captains who will do battle for the highly coveted HSBC Canada Sevens crowns gathered on Wednesday on the traditional territory of Tsleil-Waututh Nation as they fine tune their preparations ahead of kick off on Friday.

\n

With the popular event returning to the city for the eighth consecutive year, Canada\u2019s men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams will be looking to put on a show for their fans as they enter the field at the BC Place Stadium.

\n

Canada women’s co-captain Breanne Nicholas said: \u201cWe\u2019re very excited to be playing on our home turf alongside the men. We know what it\u2019s like in Langford, and we\u2019re ready for the hype of Vancouver. Playing alongside the men is not only positive for the growth of rugby in Canada but the growth of women\u2019s sport in Canada.\u201d

\n

However, New Zealand\u2019s Black Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens lead the current Series standings and arrive in confident mood having won the last three women\u2019s events and two men\u2019s events respectively.

\n

This weekend in Vancouver, if New Zealand’s women’s team reaches the cup finals, they will be the second nation to officially qualify for Paris 2024 after France, who have a spot secured as hosts.

\n

Black Ferns women\u2019s captain Sarah Goss said: \u201cIt\u2019s been amazing being in a new city in Canada, we love coming here and to be able to play at BC Place \u2013 we went to the stadium yesterday and had a run around against Canada \u2013 it\u2019s an amazing stadium and we\u2019re looking forward to the weekend.

\n

\u201cI have only seen that [New Zealand can qualify for Paris 2024] in the media and we haven\u2019t actually talked about that as a team. We\u2019re just trying to get better and better as the tournament goes along and we\u2019re very happy with how we\u2019re sitting but we probably won\u2019t be too happy unless we continue that momentum we\u2019ve already built.\u201d

\n

The 2023 Series is shaping up to be the most competitive in history with the prize of Olympic Games Paris 2024 qualification on offer for the top four women\u2019s and men\u2019s teams in the 2023 Series standings, while hosts France have pre-qualified for next year’s pinnacle event in the nation\u2019s capital.

\n

The men\u2019s Series has seen five different gold medal winners (Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Samoa and South Africa) in the six rounds to date.

\n

New Zealand sit firmly on top of the women’s leader board with 78 points, having won the last three tournaments in Sydney, Hamilton and Cape Town. Australia, the only other nation to have won a tournament in Dubai, are tied with USA at 66 points each. The Americans join New Zealand as the only nation to have medalled at every event this season, while France picked up their first bronze medal in Sydney.

\n

VIEW MEN\u2019S SERIES STANDINGS >>

\n

VIEW WOMEN\u2019S SERIES STANDINGS >>

\n

The stakes couldn\u2019t be higher at the bottom end of the men\u2019s Series this season as well. Following the penultimate event in Toulouse, the 15th ranked team will be relegated to the 2024 Sevens Challenger Series while the 12th through 14th ranked teams will face off against the Sevens Challenger Series 2023 winner for the 12th and final position on the 2024 Series.

\n

Ireland captain Harry McNulty said: \u201cBack-to-back tournaments are always tough, and with the three-day tournament it means one less training day, but we love coming to Vancouver \u2013 it\u2019s always a great crowd so we\u2019re excited to push on from last week. For us it was great to get three wins in the pool but disappointing to not win anything on day two, so we\u2019re really looking forward to putting in another good performance this weekend.

\n

\u201cEvery tournament you have to take into consideration how hard the pools are because it\u2019s been crazy at the moment when there\u2019s nine teams who can qualify for the four Olympic spots at the end of the season. So we\u2019re going tournament-to-tournament in terms of getting our preparation right but also every tournament means you\u2019re one step closer to the end of the season so we need to make sure we get the most amount of points as we can.\u201d

\n

The men\u2019s pools for Vancouver have HSBC Los Angeles winners New Zealand in Pool A alongside Cape Town champions Samoa, Spain and the United States. Pool B includes silver medal winners Argentina with South Africa France and Japan. Bronze medal winners Fiji will meet Great Britain, Uruguay and Kenya in Pool C, while Australia lead Pool D alongside Ireland, Canada and Chile.

\n

VIEW MEN\u2019S MATCH SCHEDULE >>

\n

The women\u2019s pools for Vancouver have New Zealand, Fiji, Great Britain and Colombia in Pool A. Reigning Series champions Australia will be looking to bounce back in Pool B against France, Japan and Spain. Pool C sees the USA together with Ireland, hosts Canada and Brazil.

\n

VIEW WOMEN\u2019S MATCH SCHEDULE >>

\n

The action begins at 09:15 local time (GMT-8) on Friday, beginning three days of action-packed world-class rugby sevens, which concludes with the finals on Sunday evening.

\n

Tickets for the HSBC Canada Sevens are available from\u00a0Home – Canada Sevens

\n

Rugby sevens fans around the world can watch the action via live stream on World Rugby digital platforms including\u00a0www.world.rugby, YouTube and Facebook in countries where there is no national broadcaster covering the event.

\n

WHERE TO WATCH >>

\n

The post HSBC Canada Sevens set for historic weekend appeared first on Asia Rugby.

\n", "content_text": "The 28 captains gathered on Wednesday on the traditional territory of Tsleil-Waututh Nation ahead of the highly anticipated HSBC Canada Sevens on 3-5 March, which sees the women\u2019s Series join the men for the first time ever at BC Place as the race for Series glory and Olympic qualification heats up.\n\nThe HSBC Canada Sevens gets underway 3-5 March, marking the 200th men’s tournament in HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series storied history\nFor the first time ever, the top 12 women\u2019s nations are set to join the men at BC Place for a thrilling three-day competition\nNew Zealand Black Ferns Sevens lead current women\u2019s Series standings, can officially qualify for Paris 2024 this weekend\nNew Zealand All Blacks Sevens sit atop the men\u2019s Series standings having won back-to-back stops in Sydney and Los Angeles\nThe HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 is the most competitive in history with Paris 2024 Olympic qualification the prize for the top four teams\nPlay begins at 09:15 local time (GMT-8) on Friday, with the finals on Sunday\n\nThe world\u2019s best men\u2019s and women\u2019s rugby sevens players will return to action in Vancouver this weekend with a three-day event from 3-5 March as the race for HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series glory and the all-important Olympic qualification heats up.\nThe 28 captains who will do battle for the highly coveted HSBC Canada Sevens crowns gathered on Wednesday on the traditional territory of Tsleil-Waututh Nation as they fine tune their preparations ahead of kick off on Friday.\nWith the popular event returning to the city for the eighth consecutive year, Canada\u2019s men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams will be looking to put on a show for their fans as they enter the field at the BC Place Stadium.\nCanada women’s co-captain Breanne Nicholas said: \u201cWe\u2019re very excited to be playing on our home turf alongside the men. We know what it\u2019s like in Langford, and we\u2019re ready for the hype of Vancouver. Playing alongside the men is not only positive for the growth of rugby in Canada but the growth of women\u2019s sport in Canada.\u201d\nHowever, New Zealand\u2019s Black Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens lead the current Series standings and arrive in confident mood having won the last three women\u2019s events and two men\u2019s events respectively.\nThis weekend in Vancouver, if New Zealand’s women’s team reaches the cup finals, they will be the second nation to officially qualify for Paris 2024 after France, who have a spot secured as hosts.\nBlack Ferns women\u2019s captain Sarah Goss said: \u201cIt\u2019s been amazing being in a new city in Canada, we love coming here and to be able to play at BC Place \u2013 we went to the stadium yesterday and had a run around against Canada \u2013 it\u2019s an amazing stadium and we\u2019re looking forward to the weekend.\n\u201cI have only seen that [New Zealand can qualify for Paris 2024] in the media and we haven\u2019t actually talked about that as a team. We\u2019re just trying to get better and better as the tournament goes along and we\u2019re very happy with how we\u2019re sitting but we probably won\u2019t be too happy unless we continue that momentum we\u2019ve already built.\u201d\nThe 2023 Series is shaping up to be the most competitive in history with the prize of Olympic Games Paris 2024 qualification on offer for the top four women\u2019s and men\u2019s teams in the 2023 Series standings, while hosts France have pre-qualified for next year’s pinnacle event in the nation\u2019s capital.\nThe men\u2019s Series has seen five different gold medal winners (Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Samoa and South Africa) in the six rounds to date.\nNew Zealand sit firmly on top of the women’s leader board with 78 points, having won the last three tournaments in Sydney, Hamilton and Cape Town. Australia, the only other nation to have won a tournament in Dubai, are tied with USA at 66 points each. The Americans join New Zealand as the only nation to have medalled at every event this season, while France picked up their first bronze medal in Sydney.\nVIEW MEN\u2019S SERIES STANDINGS >>\nVIEW WOMEN\u2019S SERIES STANDINGS >>\nThe stakes couldn\u2019t be higher at the bottom end of the men\u2019s Series this season as well. Following the penultimate event in Toulouse, the 15th ranked team will be relegated to the 2024 Sevens Challenger Series while the 12th through 14th ranked teams will face off against the Sevens Challenger Series 2023 winner for the 12th and final position on the 2024 Series.\nIreland captain Harry McNulty said: \u201cBack-to-back tournaments are always tough, and with the three-day tournament it means one less training day, but we love coming to Vancouver \u2013 it\u2019s always a great crowd so we\u2019re excited to push on from last week. For us it was great to get three wins in the pool but disappointing to not win anything on day two, so we\u2019re really looking forward to putting in another good performance this weekend.\n\u201cEvery tournament you have to take into consideration how hard the pools are because it\u2019s been crazy at the moment when there\u2019s nine teams who can qualify for the four Olympic spots at the end of the season. So we\u2019re going tournament-to-tournament in terms of getting our preparation right but also every tournament means you\u2019re one step closer to the end of the season so we need to make sure we get the most amount of points as we can.\u201d\nThe men\u2019s pools for Vancouver have HSBC Los Angeles winners New Zealand in Pool A alongside Cape Town champions Samoa, Spain and the United States. Pool B includes silver medal winners Argentina with South Africa France and Japan. Bronze medal winners Fiji will meet Great Britain, Uruguay and Kenya in Pool C, while Australia lead Pool D alongside Ireland, Canada and Chile.\nVIEW MEN\u2019S MATCH SCHEDULE >>\nThe women\u2019s pools for Vancouver have New Zealand, Fiji, Great Britain and Colombia in Pool A. Reigning Series champions Australia will be looking to bounce back in Pool B against France, Japan and Spain. Pool C sees the USA together with Ireland, hosts Canada and Brazil.\nVIEW WOMEN\u2019S MATCH SCHEDULE >>\nThe action begins at 09:15 local time (GMT-8) on Friday, beginning three days of action-packed world-class rugby sevens, which concludes with the finals on Sunday evening.\nTickets for the HSBC Canada Sevens are available from\u00a0Home – Canada Sevens\nRugby sevens fans around the world can watch the action via live stream on World Rugby digital platforms including\u00a0www.world.rugby, YouTube and Facebook in countries where there is no national broadcaster covering the event.\nWHERE TO WATCH >>\nThe post HSBC Canada Sevens set for historic weekend appeared first on Asia Rugby.", "date_published": "2023-03-03T17:58:34+08:00", "date_modified": "2023-03-03T17:58:34+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.asiarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Fiji.jpg", "tags": [ "HSBC Canada Sevens", "HSBC", "New Zealand Rugby", "Fiji Rugby", "Tsleil-Waututh", "Featured", "News" ] }, { "id": "https://www.asiarugby.com/?p=9298", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/2023/03/03/hsbc-world-rugby-sevens-series-hits-major-milestone/", "title": "HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series hits major milestone", "content_html": "

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series will celebrate a special milestone this weekend with the HSBC Canada Sevens in Vancouver being the 200th men\u2019s tournament in the competition\u2019s storied history. We take a look at how the competition has evolved.

\n

On 2 December, 1999 the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series was born in Dubai.

\n

Fittingly, current men\u2019s Series leaders New Zealand had the honour of competing in the very first match and former sevens star turned World Rugby commentator Karl Te Nana scored in a 14-0 win against Tonga.

\n

To this day, Te Nana remembers the thrill of being involved from the very first blast of Australian referee George Ayoub\u2019s whistle.

\n

\u201cWhen the Series first launched, there was so much excitement amongst all the countries to have an organised series created,\u201d he said.

\n

\u201cThe chance to continuously match yourself against the best in the world in 10 tournaments was a real new and fresh concept that both players and fans gravitated to.\u201d

\n

Dubai is one of the two original venues still used to this day (Hong Kong is the other) and was also the location for the opening tournament when the women\u2019s Series was launched in 2012-13.

\n
\n

We go again in Vancouver! \"\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6\"

\n

\"\ud83d\udcc6\" 3-5 March

\n

\"\ud83c\udf9f\" Get your tickets to #Canada7s: https://t.co/deBxy6tqyi#HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/CjDVjTF5nh

\n

\u2014 World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) February 28, 2023

\n

\n

For Te Nana, it was a natural choice as the launchpad for the Series because it was already a renowned sevens destination.

\n

\u201cThe first tournament in Dubai was always a vibe because of its already established history. It was like playing in a major at golf,\u201d he said.

\n

\u201cSo when New Zealand had the honour to play the first game of the Series against Tonga, we as a team knew the significance of that, and for me to score the first try ever on the World Sevens Series, at the time I didn’t take much notice but now as I look back, I’m very proud of that moment.\u201d

\n

New Zealand went on to be crowned champions in that first tournament in Dubai following a 38-14 win over Fiji, another of the sport\u2019s powerhouses long before the Series was initiated.

\n

SOUTHERN DOMINANCE

\n

A fierce rivalry had already developed between the countries from the first two editions of Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1993 and 1997 and that was translated into the Series.

\n

Those two countries claimed all the titles on offer between them throughout the inaugural Series and, by the end of it all, the All Blacks Sevens came out on top in the final standings by just six points.

\n

It was the first of six consecutive overall Series titles for New Zealand, who won just over half (26) of the first 50 tournaments played.

\n

Of the 30 different nations that have played and scored in the Series, New Zealand and Fiji are to date the only ones to reach 3,000 points.

\n

Fiji became Series champions for the first time in 2005-06 but it was still New Zealand who largely held the upper hand as the Series continued to grow, their run of seven consecutive tournament wins between London in 2007 to Hong Kong the following year being a record that still exists today.

\n

BLITZBOKS\u2019 BREAKTHROUGH

\n

2009 was not only a significant year for sevens in terms of it winning the vote to become an Olympic sport but it also marked the emergence of South Africa as a threat to New Zealand and Fiji, the Blitzboks claiming the first of their four Series titles that year.

\n

Samoa threw their hat into the ring by taking the next title in 2010 and England were always a threat with record Series points scorer Ben Gollings dictating play. But for the most part, it was New Zealand, Fiji and South Africa who continued to fight it out for top honours.

\n

The next 11 Series titles, from 2011 to 2021, were shared by the southern hemisphere trio with New Zealand claiming five, and Fiji and South Africa three apiece, the latter benefitting from the absence of their main rivals due to COVID-19 in their 2021 Series win.

\n

For a 10-year period between 2004 and 2014, that trio and England, Samoa, Argentina, Australia and France were the only teams to win a tournament in the Series.

\n

But as sevens\u2019 Olympics debut in Rio in 2016 drew ever closer new teams came to the fore with the USA enjoying the first of their three tournament successes in London in the 2014-15 Series. Over the next two years, they were joined by Scotland and Canada in adding their names to the roll of honour.

\n

In total, 12 different teams have now won a tournament in the Series.

\n

With the general competitiveness of sevens going up several notches following the sport\u2019s inclusion in the Olympic Games, New Zealand\u2019s almost total dominance from those early years will be very hard to replicate.

\n

But while Australia became the first new overall Series winner in 12 years in 2022, the All Blacks Sevens remain the team to beat in most people\u2019s eyes.

\n

Their overall tally of 64 tournament wins, and 100-plus \u00a0final appearances, from the 199 men\u2019s tournaments played to date easily eclipses what any of the other teams can muster.

\n

Fiji are next best with 44 tournament wins and South Africa are third on 40.

\n

A SHOWCASE FOR SKILLS

\n

Once considered a means of improving fitness for 15s or for an end-of-season jamboree, sevens has become huge in its own right and the Series has played a big part in its evolution into an Olympic sport that helps spread the rugby gospel far and wide.

\n

Ever-evolving, the Series will be remodelled next year and will include seven festival-style events, in seven iconic global destinations, across seven months, featuring the 12 best men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams in the world.

\n

Te Nana was one of the first to leave his mark on the Series and is still taken aback by how big and far-reaching it has become.

\n

\u201cIt’s amazing how from the inception to what the beast of a product and spectacle the sevens has become. It is just amazing,\u201d he said.

\n

\u201cWorld Rugby have done a fantastic job creating a platform for men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams and athletes to thrive and showcase their abilities to help connect, inspire and bring joy to audiences across the globe.\u201d

\n

The post HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series hits major milestone appeared first on Asia Rugby.

\n", "content_text": "The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series will celebrate a special milestone this weekend with the HSBC Canada Sevens in Vancouver being the 200th men\u2019s tournament in the competition\u2019s storied history. We take a look at how the competition has evolved.\nOn 2 December, 1999 the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series was born in Dubai.\nFittingly, current men\u2019s Series leaders New Zealand had the honour of competing in the very first match and former sevens star turned World Rugby commentator Karl Te Nana scored in a 14-0 win against Tonga.\nTo this day, Te Nana remembers the thrill of being involved from the very first blast of Australian referee George Ayoub\u2019s whistle.\n\u201cWhen the Series first launched, there was so much excitement amongst all the countries to have an organised series created,\u201d he said.\n\u201cThe chance to continuously match yourself against the best in the world in 10 tournaments was a real new and fresh concept that both players and fans gravitated to.\u201d\nDubai is one of the two original venues still used to this day (Hong Kong is the other) and was also the location for the opening tournament when the women\u2019s Series was launched in 2012-13.\n\nWe go again in Vancouver! \n 3-5 March\n Get your tickets to #Canada7s: https://t.co/deBxy6tqyi#HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/CjDVjTF5nh\n\u2014 World Rugby 7s (@WorldRugby7s) February 28, 2023\n\nFor Te Nana, it was a natural choice as the launchpad for the Series because it was already a renowned sevens destination.\n\u201cThe first tournament in Dubai was always a vibe because of its already established history. It was like playing in a major at golf,\u201d he said.\n\u201cSo when New Zealand had the honour to play the first game of the Series against Tonga, we as a team knew the significance of that, and for me to score the first try ever on the World Sevens Series, at the time I didn’t take much notice but now as I look back, I’m very proud of that moment.\u201d\nNew Zealand went on to be crowned champions in that first tournament in Dubai following a 38-14 win over Fiji, another of the sport\u2019s powerhouses long before the Series was initiated.\nSOUTHERN DOMINANCE\nA fierce rivalry had already developed between the countries from the first two editions of Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1993 and 1997 and that was translated into the Series.\nThose two countries claimed all the titles on offer between them throughout the inaugural Series and, by the end of it all, the All Blacks Sevens came out on top in the final standings by just six points.\nIt was the first of six consecutive overall Series titles for New Zealand, who won just over half (26) of the first 50 tournaments played.\nOf the 30 different nations that have played and scored in the Series, New Zealand and Fiji are to date the only ones to reach 3,000 points.\nFiji became Series champions for the first time in 2005-06 but it was still New Zealand who largely held the upper hand as the Series continued to grow, their run of seven consecutive tournament wins between London in 2007 to Hong Kong the following year being a record that still exists today.\nBLITZBOKS\u2019 BREAKTHROUGH\n2009 was not only a significant year for sevens in terms of it winning the vote to become an Olympic sport but it also marked the emergence of South Africa as a threat to New Zealand and Fiji, the Blitzboks claiming the first of their four Series titles that year.\nSamoa threw their hat into the ring by taking the next title in 2010 and England were always a threat with record Series points scorer Ben Gollings dictating play. But for the most part, it was New Zealand, Fiji and South Africa who continued to fight it out for top honours.\nThe next 11 Series titles, from 2011 to 2021, were shared by the southern hemisphere trio with New Zealand claiming five, and Fiji and South Africa three apiece, the latter benefitting from the absence of their main rivals due to COVID-19 in their 2021 Series win.\nFor a 10-year period between 2004 and 2014, that trio and England, Samoa, Argentina, Australia and France were the only teams to win a tournament in the Series.\nBut as sevens\u2019 Olympics debut in Rio in 2016 drew ever closer new teams came to the fore with the USA enjoying the first of their three tournament successes in London in the 2014-15 Series. Over the next two years, they were joined by Scotland and Canada in adding their names to the roll of honour.\nIn total, 12 different teams have now won a tournament in the Series.\nWith the general competitiveness of sevens going up several notches following the sport\u2019s inclusion in the Olympic Games, New Zealand\u2019s almost total dominance from those early years will be very hard to replicate.\nBut while Australia became the first new overall Series winner in 12 years in 2022, the All Blacks Sevens remain the team to beat in most people\u2019s eyes.\nTheir overall tally of 64 tournament wins, and 100-plus \u00a0final appearances, from the 199 men\u2019s tournaments played to date easily eclipses what any of the other teams can muster.\nFiji are next best with 44 tournament wins and South Africa are third on 40.\nA SHOWCASE FOR SKILLS\nOnce considered a means of improving fitness for 15s or for an end-of-season jamboree, sevens has become huge in its own right and the Series has played a big part in its evolution into an Olympic sport that helps spread the rugby gospel far and wide.\nEver-evolving, the Series will be remodelled next year and will include seven festival-style events, in seven iconic global destinations, across seven months, featuring the 12 best men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams in the world.\nTe Nana was one of the first to leave his mark on the Series and is still taken aback by how big and far-reaching it has become.\n\u201cIt’s amazing how from the inception to what the beast of a product and spectacle the sevens has become. It is just amazing,\u201d he said.\n\u201cWorld Rugby have done a fantastic job creating a platform for men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams and athletes to thrive and showcase their abilities to help connect, inspire and bring joy to audiences across the globe.\u201d\nThe post HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series hits major milestone appeared first on Asia Rugby.", "date_published": "2023-03-03T17:46:32+08:00", "date_modified": "2023-03-03T17:46:32+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.asiarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/HSBC-World-Rugby-Sevens.jpg", "tags": [ "HSBC Canada Sevens", "HSBC", "World Rugby Sevens", "HSBC World Rugby Sevens", "Featured", "News" ] }, { "id": "https://www.asiarugby.com/?p=9250", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/2023/01/25/hsbc-sydney-sevens-ready-for-action/", "title": "HSBC Sydney Sevens ready for action", "content_html": "\n

The world famous Sydney Harbour Bridge provided the backdrop as captains of the 28 men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams gathered ahead of the HSBC Sydney Sevens which kicks off on Friday 27 January.

\n

The high speed, all action event continues on Saturday with the culmination of the pool phase and quarter-finals, before the semi-finals and finals on Sunday.

\n

With the popular event returning to the city for the first time since 2020, Australia\u2019s men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams will be looking to put on a show for their fans as they enter the field at the Allianz Stadium as reigning Series champions.

\n\n

However New Zealand\u2019s Black Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens lead the current Series standings and arrive in confident mood following their gold and silver medal wins respectively on home soil in Hamilton last weekend.

\n

The 2023 Series is shaping up to be the most competitive in history with the prize of Olympic Games Paris 2024 qualification on offer for the top four women\u2019s and men\u2019s teams in the 2023 Series standings, while hosts France have pre-qualified for next summer\u2019s pinnacle event in the nation\u2019s capital.

\n

The Men\u2019s Series has seen four different gold medal winners (Argentina, Australia, Samoa and South Africa) in the four rounds to date while New Zealand, Australia and the USA have claimed all the medals in the first three rounds of the women\u2019s competition.

\n

VIEW MEN\u2019S SERIES STANDINGS >>

\n

VIEW WOMEN\u2019S SERIES STANDINGS >>

\n

The stakes couldn\u2019t be higher at the bottom end of the men\u2019s Series this season as well. Following the penultimate event in Toulouse, the 15th ranked team will be relegated to the 2024 Sevens Challenger Series while the 12th through 14th ranked teams will face off against the Sevens Challenger Series 2023 winner for the 12th and final position on the 2024 Series.

\n

In the men\u2019s tournament in Sydney, Pool A sees Hamilton winners Argentina drawn with hosts Australia, Great Britain and Canada. Pool B is led by current Series leaders New Zealand, together with South Africa, Kenya and Uruguay. USA, Ireland, Samoa and Spain will compete in Pool C. Double Olympic champions Fiji will be looking to return to form and are in Pool D with France, Tonga and Japan.

\n

VIEW MEN\u2019S MATCH SCHEDULE >>

\n

The women\u2019s pools see New Zealand paired with Japan, France and Papua New Guinea in Pool A. USA head a strong looking Pool B that includes Great Britain, Fiji and Canada. Hosts Australia are in Pool C together with Ireland, Spain and Brazil.

\n

VIEW WOMEN\u2019S MATCH SCHEDULE >>

\n

The action begins at 12:00 local time (GMT+11) on Friday, beginning three days of action-packed world class rugby sevens, which concludes with the finals on Sunday evening.

\n

Tickets for the HSBC Sydney Sevens are available from\u00a0www.sydney7s.com.au/tickets.

\n

Rugby sevens fans around the world can watch the action via live stream on World Rugby digital platforms including\u00a0www.world.rugby, You Tube and Facebook in countries where there is no national broadcaster covering the event.

\n

WHERE TO WATCH >>

\n

The post HSBC Sydney Sevens ready for action appeared first on Asia Rugby.

\n", "content_text": "The HSBC Sydney Sevens returns to action on 27-29 January for first time since 2020\nHosts Australia are reigning men\u2019s and women\u2019s Series champions\nNew Zealand\u2019s All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens lead current Series standings\nThe 2023 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series is the most competitive in history with Paris 2024 Olympic qualification the prize for the top four teams\nPlay begins at 12:00 local time (GMT+11) on Friday, with the finals on Sunday\n\nThe world famous Sydney Harbour Bridge provided the backdrop as captains of the 28 men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams gathered ahead of the HSBC Sydney Sevens which kicks off on Friday 27 January.\nThe high speed, all action event continues on Saturday with the culmination of the pool phase and quarter-finals, before the semi-finals and finals on Sunday.\nWith the popular event returning to the city for the first time since 2020, Australia\u2019s men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams will be looking to put on a show for their fans as they enter the field at the Allianz Stadium as reigning Series champions.\n\nFrance 2023 family united to deliver best-ever Rugby World Cup in landmark year for the sport\nHSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to New Zealand\nExciting year of rugby sevens gets underway in Hamilton\nBack to Full Schedule, Enthralling Year of Rugby in the Offering: Asia Rugby Releases 2023 Calendar\n\nHowever New Zealand\u2019s Black Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens lead the current Series standings and arrive in confident mood following their gold and silver medal wins respectively on home soil in Hamilton last weekend.\nThe 2023 Series is shaping up to be the most competitive in history with the prize of Olympic Games Paris 2024 qualification on offer for the top four women\u2019s and men\u2019s teams in the 2023 Series standings, while hosts France have pre-qualified for next summer\u2019s pinnacle event in the nation\u2019s capital.\nThe Men\u2019s Series has seen four different gold medal winners (Argentina, Australia, Samoa and South Africa) in the four rounds to date while New Zealand, Australia and the USA have claimed all the medals in the first three rounds of the women\u2019s competition.\nVIEW MEN\u2019S SERIES STANDINGS >>\nVIEW WOMEN\u2019S SERIES STANDINGS >>\nThe stakes couldn\u2019t be higher at the bottom end of the men\u2019s Series this season as well. Following the penultimate event in Toulouse, the 15th ranked team will be relegated to the 2024 Sevens Challenger Series while the 12th through 14th ranked teams will face off against the Sevens Challenger Series 2023 winner for the 12th and final position on the 2024 Series.\nIn the men\u2019s tournament in Sydney, Pool A sees Hamilton winners Argentina drawn with hosts Australia, Great Britain and Canada. Pool B is led by current Series leaders New Zealand, together with South Africa, Kenya and Uruguay. USA, Ireland, Samoa and Spain will compete in Pool C. Double Olympic champions Fiji will be looking to return to form and are in Pool D with France, Tonga and Japan.\nVIEW MEN\u2019S MATCH SCHEDULE >>\nThe women\u2019s pools see New Zealand paired with Japan, France and Papua New Guinea in Pool A. USA head a strong looking Pool B that includes Great Britain, Fiji and Canada. Hosts Australia are in Pool C together with Ireland, Spain and Brazil.\nVIEW WOMEN\u2019S MATCH SCHEDULE >>\nThe action begins at 12:00 local time (GMT+11) on Friday, beginning three days of action-packed world class rugby sevens, which concludes with the finals on Sunday evening.\nTickets for the HSBC Sydney Sevens are available from\u00a0www.sydney7s.com.au/tickets.\nRugby sevens fans around the world can watch the action via live stream on World Rugby digital platforms including\u00a0www.world.rugby, You Tube and Facebook in countries where there is no national broadcaster covering the event.\nWHERE TO WATCH >>\nThe post HSBC Sydney Sevens ready for action appeared first on Asia Rugby.", "date_published": "2023-01-25T16:45:46+08:00", "date_modified": "2023-01-25T18:26:12+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.asiarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/HSBC-Sydney-Sevens-ready-for-action.jpg", "tags": [ "HSBC", "HSBC Sydney Sevens", "Sydney Sevens", "Harbour Bridge", "Featured", "News" ] }, { "id": "https://www.asiarugby.com/?p=9232", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/2023/01/12/exciting-year-of-rugby-sevens-gets-underway-in-hamilton/", "title": "Exciting year of rugby sevens gets underway in Hamilton", "content_html": "

The first event of 2023 kicks off next weekend with the return of the HSBC New Zealand Sevens at FMG Stadium Waikato as the race to qualify for Paris 2024 heats up.

\n\n

After a short break for the holiday season, the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 continues with the HSBC New Zealand Sevens on 21-22 January kicking off what will be a thrilling year for rugby sevens.

\n

Hamilton marks the fourth event in a busy 11-stop men\u2019s Series, with Samoa and South Africa currently tied atop the standings, closely followed by New Zealand and USA.

\n

In the women\u2019s competition, Hamilton marks the third stop on the 2023 Series with trans-Tasman rivals Australia and New Zealand tied at the top of the standings after winning titles in Dubai and Cape Town respectively. USA and France are leading the chase in the race for the top four.

\n

Having been on New Zealand\u2019s sporting calendar for more than two decades, this year the tournament will see the addition of a second playing field next to FMG Stadium Waikato to enable the full men\u2019s and women\u2019s draws to be played over two action-packed days.

\n

The men\u2019s pool draw for Hamilton sees Cape Town champions Samoa take their place in Pool A alongside Olympic champions Fiji, France and Kenya.

\n

Hosts New Zealand slot into Pool B alongside Great Britain, Hong Kong winners Australia and invitational team Tonga.

\n

Cape Town bronze medal winners USA lead Pool C and will face off against Uruguay, Ireland and Japan on day one.

\n

South Africa, Cup winners in Dubai in December, are joined by Argentina, Spain and Canada in Pool D.

\n

\u201cTeams will be looking to build towards Olympic qualification, so we have to hit the ground running on day one,\u201d All Blacks Sevens head coach Clark Laidlaw said.

\n

\u201cThe players can\u2019t wait to get out on the field at FMG Stadium Waikato and put on their best performance in front of a big home crowd one last time. We are looking forward to it.\u201d

\n

VIEW SERIES 2023 CALENDAR >>

\n

In the women\u2019s competition, hosts New Zealand will face off against Great Britain, Fiji and invitational team Papua New Guinea in Pool A.

\n

Australia, who will be looking to build on their incredible momentum in 2022 in Hamilton ahead of their home tournament in Sydney from 27-29 January, headline Pool B alongside France, Canada and Japan.

\n

Pool C features USA, Ireland, Brazil and Spain.

\n

\u201cTo be back playing in a World Series event on our whenua since 2020 is incredibly exciting. The team has been looking forward to competing on home turf, in front of their wh\u0101nau and fans. It\u2019s going to be a memorable weekend for all of us, especially the players who will be taking the field for the final time in Hamilton,\u201d Black Ferns Sevens head coach Cory Sweeney said.

\n

VIEW MEN\u2019S MATCH SCHEDULE >>

\n

VIEW WOMEN\u2019S MATCH SCHEDULE >>

\n

World Rugby Chief Competitions and Performance Officer, Nigel Cass said: \u201cWe are excited to kick off what will be a thrilling year for rugby sevens at the HSBC New Zealand Sevens in Hamilton next weekend in front of a packed house of knowledgeable, enthusiastic and passionate rugby fans.

\n

\u201cWith Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualification on the line this season for both men\u2019s and women’s competitions, we know the action will be fierce at FMG Stadium Waikato from the opening match on Saturday morning to the final whistle on Sunday evening.\u201d

\n

The weekend kicks off with South Africa against Canada in the men\u2019s competition on 21 January at 09:10 local time (GMT +13) in Pool D action. Day one concludes with the New Zealand and Great Britain encounter in the women\u2019s event at 20:03.

\n

Rugby sevens fans around the world can watch the action via live stream on World Rugby digital platforms including\u00a0www.world.rugby, YouTube and Facebook in countries where there is no national broadcaster covering the event.

\n

WHERE TO WATCH >>

\n

For all tournament tickets, please visit\u00a0www.sevens.co.nz

\n

The post Exciting year of rugby sevens gets underway in Hamilton appeared first on Asia Rugby.

\n", "content_text": "The first event of 2023 kicks off next weekend with the return of the HSBC New Zealand Sevens at FMG Stadium Waikato as the race to qualify for Paris 2024 heats up.\n\nHSBC New Zealand Sevens returns on 21-22 January\nBlack Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens look to defend titles won on home soil dating back to last event held in 2020\nParis 2024 Olympic qualification at stake for the top four teams in the 2023 Series\nThe action begins at 09:10 local time (GMT+13) on Saturday, with the final match on Sunday at 19:56\n\nAfter a short break for the holiday season, the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 continues with the HSBC New Zealand Sevens on 21-22 January kicking off what will be a thrilling year for rugby sevens.\nHamilton marks the fourth event in a busy 11-stop men\u2019s Series, with Samoa and South Africa currently tied atop the standings, closely followed by New Zealand and USA.\nIn the women\u2019s competition, Hamilton marks the third stop on the 2023 Series with trans-Tasman rivals Australia and New Zealand tied at the top of the standings after winning titles in Dubai and Cape Town respectively. USA and France are leading the chase in the race for the top four.\nHaving been on New Zealand\u2019s sporting calendar for more than two decades, this year the tournament will see the addition of a second playing field next to FMG Stadium Waikato to enable the full men\u2019s and women\u2019s draws to be played over two action-packed days.\nThe men\u2019s pool draw for Hamilton sees Cape Town champions Samoa take their place in Pool A alongside Olympic champions Fiji, France and Kenya.\nHosts New Zealand slot into Pool B alongside Great Britain, Hong Kong winners Australia and invitational team Tonga.\nCape Town bronze medal winners USA lead Pool C and will face off against Uruguay, Ireland and Japan on day one.\nSouth Africa, Cup winners in Dubai in December, are joined by Argentina, Spain and Canada in Pool D.\n\u201cTeams will be looking to build towards Olympic qualification, so we have to hit the ground running on day one,\u201d All Blacks Sevens head coach Clark Laidlaw said.\n\u201cThe players can\u2019t wait to get out on the field at FMG Stadium Waikato and put on their best performance in front of a big home crowd one last time. We are looking forward to it.\u201d\nVIEW SERIES 2023 CALENDAR >>\nIn the women\u2019s competition, hosts New Zealand will face off against Great Britain, Fiji and invitational team Papua New Guinea in Pool A.\nAustralia, who will be looking to build on their incredible momentum in 2022 in Hamilton ahead of their home tournament in Sydney from 27-29 January, headline Pool B alongside France, Canada and Japan.\nPool C features USA, Ireland, Brazil and Spain.\n\u201cTo be back playing in a World Series event on our whenua since 2020 is incredibly exciting. The team has been looking forward to competing on home turf, in front of their wh\u0101nau and fans. It\u2019s going to be a memorable weekend for all of us, especially the players who will be taking the field for the final time in Hamilton,\u201d Black Ferns Sevens head coach Cory Sweeney said.\nVIEW MEN\u2019S MATCH SCHEDULE >>\nVIEW WOMEN\u2019S MATCH SCHEDULE >>\nWorld Rugby Chief Competitions and Performance Officer, Nigel Cass said: \u201cWe are excited to kick off what will be a thrilling year for rugby sevens at the HSBC New Zealand Sevens in Hamilton next weekend in front of a packed house of knowledgeable, enthusiastic and passionate rugby fans.\n\u201cWith Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualification on the line this season for both men\u2019s and women’s competitions, we know the action will be fierce at FMG Stadium Waikato from the opening match on Saturday morning to the final whistle on Sunday evening.\u201d\nThe weekend kicks off with South Africa against Canada in the men\u2019s competition on 21 January at 09:10 local time (GMT +13) in Pool D action. Day one concludes with the New Zealand and Great Britain encounter in the women\u2019s event at 20:03.\nRugby sevens fans around the world can watch the action via live stream on World Rugby digital platforms including\u00a0www.world.rugby, YouTube and Facebook in countries where there is no national broadcaster covering the event.\nWHERE TO WATCH >>\nFor all tournament tickets, please visit\u00a0www.sevens.co.nz\nThe post Exciting year of rugby sevens gets underway in Hamilton appeared first on Asia Rugby.", "date_published": "2023-01-12T12:46:05+08:00", "date_modified": "2023-01-12T12:46:05+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.asiarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Exciting-year-of-rugby-sevens-gets-underway-in-Hamilton.jpg", "tags": [ "HSBC New Zealand Sevens", "All Blacks 7s", "All Blacks", "HSBC", "New Zealand Rugby", "Featured", "News" ] }, { "id": "https://www.asiarugby.com/?p=8718", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/2022/05/28/london-welcomes-the-stars-of-rugby-sevens/", "title": "London welcomes the stars of rugby sevens", "content_html": "

A huge crowd will welcome all 16 core teams for the penultimate round of the men\u2019s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series at Twickenham Stadium on 28-29 May with all to play for in the race for the 2022 Series title.

\n\n

The captains of the 16 teams competing at the HSBC London Sevens at Twickenham Stadium this weekend were treated to an open-top bus ride past some of London\u2019s iconic landmarks on Wednesday.

\n

The teams have arrived in England\u2019s capital ready to showcase the speed, skill and drama of world-class rugby sevens in front of a huge crowd, with more than 68,000 tickets already sold for the penultimate round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022.

\n

Competition will be intense as Argentina enter the tournament in pole position at the top of the Series rankings for the first time ever, the South Americans have 118 points after seven rounds, ahead of South Africa on 116 points and Australia with 110 points.

\n

Double Olympic champions Fiji will enter the event high on confidence after reaching the final in the last three rounds, winning gold twice in Toulouse and Singapore. Fiji are defending champions in London having won the title the last time the event took place in 2019.

\n

Despite missing two rounds, Fiji could yet be in with a chance to clinch the Series title as only the best seven from nine results will count towards the final Series position in a unique scoring system introduced to ensure fairness in this COVID-19 affected year.

\n

VIEW SERIES STANDINGS >>

\n

Fiji will face the USA, Spain and Wales in Pool A in London.

\n

Fiji captain Tevita Daugunu said: \u201cWe are really looking forward to playing here in London and hopefully we can back up our performance from last weekend. All the teams are getting more competitive tournament by tournament so if you want to win you have to work really hard.

\n

\u201cFor the majority of the squad this is our first time in London. There is a lot of Fiji fans here and we hope they will come out to support us in big numbers. We are really looking forward to playing at Twickenham this weekend.\u201d

\n

Series leaders Argentina and South Africa are paired in Pool B, along with fifth placed Ireland \u2013 beaten finalists in Toulouse last weekend \u2013 and Kenya.

\n

Argentina\u2019s World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Marcos Moneta said: \u201cIt feels great to be at the top of the standings for the first time, it is because of the hard work that we are putting in and it feels good to be competing with the big teams like South Africa, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and others.

\n

\u201cOur objective is always to improve as a team. London is going to be really competitive, even in the pool stages. I\u2019m really excited to play at Twickenham, it is a great stadium \u2013 the capital of rugby.\u201d

\n

VIEW POOLS AND MATCH SCHEDULE >>

\n

Pool C sees antipodean rivals Australia and New Zealand drawn together with France \u2013 bronze medallists on home soil last weekend \u2013 and Canada.

\n

Hosts England will be looking to take inspiration from the supportive home crowd as they play Samoa, Japan and Scotland \u2013 who were title winners in London in 2016 and 2017.

\n

VIEW TEAM SQUADS >>

\n

Play gets under way at 09:10 local time (BST) on Saturday with a mouthwatering clash between New Zealand and Australia. Remaining tickets are available from\u00a0www.twickenhamstadium.com/hsbc-london-sevens/tickets\u00a0with finals taking place on Sunday.

\n

Rugby sevens fans around the world can watch the action via live stream on World Rugby digital platforms including\u00a0www.world.rugby, YouTube and Facebook in countries where there is no national broadcaster covering the event.

\n

WHERE TO WATCH >>

\n

Australia won the women\u2019s Series which concluded in Toulouse last weekend. Australia were the dominant team throughout the 2022 Series, showing great consistency to win four gold, one silver and one bronze medals from the six rounds of the competition.

\n

The England women\u2019s team will showcase their skills to the Twickenham Stadium crowd in practice matches as part of the programme for the HSBC London Sevens this weekend. The schedule for the 2023 Series is due to be announced next week.

\n

The year 2022 is a huge one for rugby sevens. Alongside the Series, the Commonwealth Games will take place in Birmingham, England on 29-31 July, and following the grand finale of the men\u2019s Series in Los Angeles on 27-28 August, all eyes will turn to Cape Town, South Africa for what promises to be a record-breaking Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 on 9-11 September.

\n

The post London welcomes the stars of rugby sevens appeared first on Asia Rugby.

\n", "content_text": "A huge crowd will welcome all 16 core teams for the penultimate round of the men\u2019s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series at Twickenham Stadium on 28-29 May with all to play for in the race for the 2022 Series title.\n\nA huge crowd will welcome all 16 core teams on the men\u2019s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series to Twickenham Stadium on 28-29 May\nWith two rounds to play Argentina lead the men\u2019s Series with 118 points, ahead of South Africa on 116 points and Australia with 110 points\nDouble Olympic champions Fiji are defending the London title last contested in 2019, and will be high in confidence following victory in Toulouse last weekend\nThe action kicks off on Saturday, 28 May at 09:10 BST with a mouthwatering clash between New Zealand and Australia\nA huge crowd is expected with more than 68,000 tickets sold, remaining tickets are available\u00a0here\n\nThe captains of the 16 teams competing at the HSBC London Sevens at Twickenham Stadium this weekend were treated to an open-top bus ride past some of London\u2019s iconic landmarks on Wednesday.\nThe teams have arrived in England\u2019s capital ready to showcase the speed, skill and drama of world-class rugby sevens in front of a huge crowd, with more than 68,000 tickets already sold for the penultimate round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022.\nCompetition will be intense as Argentina enter the tournament in pole position at the top of the Series rankings for the first time ever, the South Americans have 118 points after seven rounds, ahead of South Africa on 116 points and Australia with 110 points.\nDouble Olympic champions Fiji will enter the event high on confidence after reaching the final in the last three rounds, winning gold twice in Toulouse and Singapore. Fiji are defending champions in London having won the title the last time the event took place in 2019.\nDespite missing two rounds, Fiji could yet be in with a chance to clinch the Series title as only the best seven from nine results will count towards the final Series position in a unique scoring system introduced to ensure fairness in this COVID-19 affected year.\nVIEW SERIES STANDINGS >>\nFiji will face the USA, Spain and Wales in Pool A in London.\nFiji captain Tevita Daugunu said: \u201cWe are really looking forward to playing here in London and hopefully we can back up our performance from last weekend. All the teams are getting more competitive tournament by tournament so if you want to win you have to work really hard.\n\u201cFor the majority of the squad this is our first time in London. There is a lot of Fiji fans here and we hope they will come out to support us in big numbers. We are really looking forward to playing at Twickenham this weekend.\u201d\nSeries leaders Argentina and South Africa are paired in Pool B, along with fifth placed Ireland \u2013 beaten finalists in Toulouse last weekend \u2013 and Kenya.\nArgentina\u2019s World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Marcos Moneta said: \u201cIt feels great to be at the top of the standings for the first time, it is because of the hard work that we are putting in and it feels good to be competing with the big teams like South Africa, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and others.\n\u201cOur objective is always to improve as a team. London is going to be really competitive, even in the pool stages. I\u2019m really excited to play at Twickenham, it is a great stadium \u2013 the capital of rugby.\u201d\nVIEW POOLS AND MATCH SCHEDULE >>\nPool C sees antipodean rivals Australia and New Zealand drawn together with France \u2013 bronze medallists on home soil last weekend \u2013 and Canada.\nHosts England will be looking to take inspiration from the supportive home crowd as they play Samoa, Japan and Scotland \u2013 who were title winners in London in 2016 and 2017.\nVIEW TEAM SQUADS >>\nPlay gets under way at 09:10 local time (BST) on Saturday with a mouthwatering clash between New Zealand and Australia. Remaining tickets are available from\u00a0www.twickenhamstadium.com/hsbc-london-sevens/tickets\u00a0with finals taking place on Sunday.\nRugby sevens fans around the world can watch the action via live stream on World Rugby digital platforms including\u00a0www.world.rugby, YouTube and Facebook in countries where there is no national broadcaster covering the event.\nWHERE TO WATCH >>\nAustralia won the women\u2019s Series which concluded in Toulouse last weekend. Australia were the dominant team throughout the 2022 Series, showing great consistency to win four gold, one silver and one bronze medals from the six rounds of the competition.\nThe England women\u2019s team will showcase their skills to the Twickenham Stadium crowd in practice matches as part of the programme for the HSBC London Sevens this weekend. The schedule for the 2023 Series is due to be announced next week.\nThe year 2022 is a huge one for rugby sevens. Alongside the Series, the Commonwealth Games will take place in Birmingham, England on 29-31 July, and following the grand finale of the men\u2019s Series in Los Angeles on 27-28 August, all eyes will turn to Cape Town, South Africa for what promises to be a record-breaking Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 on 9-11 September.\nThe post London welcomes the stars of rugby sevens appeared first on Asia Rugby.", "date_published": "2022-05-28T15:57:47+08:00", "date_modified": "2022-05-28T16:00:11+08:00", "authors": [ { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "Asia Rugby", "url": "https://www.asiarugby.com/author/k-haroon/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/ea791d807df550e52d2e6508886912b7?s=512&d=mm&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.asiarugby.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/World-Rugby-Sevens.jpg", "tags": [ "HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series", "HSBC", "World Rugby Sevens", "Featured", "News" ] } ] }