The following is a Media Release from New Zealand Rugby.
Stage Set For ‘Feast of Sevens’ at NZ National Rugby Sevens Tournament
New Zealand National Rugby Sevens tournament 16/17 January, 2016
The top seeds and pools have been confirmed for the Bayleys National Sevens as the most important year yet in sevens gets underway this weekend, with a ‘feast’ of the new Olympic sport.
Sixteen men’s teams and 10 women’s teams will again compete in the two day tournament which kicks off at Rotorua International Stadium on Saturday 16 January. Just two weeks later the best sevens players in the world will descend on the capital as Wellington Sevens gets underway on Saturday 30 January. Click here for full draw.
“This will be a very exciting year for sevens with the Olympics in Rio de Janiero only just around the corner,” said New Zealand Rugby Chief Executive Steve Tew. “There’s plenty at stake for all players with both national team coaches on the sidelines looking to finalize their squads for 2016.”
Up to four places in the All Blacks Sevens wider training group will be confirmed by Coach Sir Gordon Tietjens after the National Sevens. New Zealand Women’s Sevens Coach Sean Horan will also finalize his 2016 squad.
“As we saw in Dubai and Cape Town, our men’s and women’s teams are facing much tougher competition these days,” said Tew. “That’s no surprise with a rugby gold medal up for grabs at the Olympics for first time since 1924. But it really shows how important it is that we have a strong domestic competition so we can keeping building the depth and skills we need to continue to do well at the top level of the game.
“The good news is that the National Sevens, the regional qualifying tournaments and the Women’s Super Series, are all providing a fantastic pathway for our players to show off their skills and press for higher honours.”
Pools and draw confirmed
With regional qualifying tournaments completed and seedings confirmed, the pools have been announced for the National Sevens.
In the men’s draw Auckland and Hawke’s Bay head their pools after winning the northern and central regional qualifying tournaments respectively. Counties-Manukau; runners up to Auckland top Pool C while 2015 champions, Waikato head Pool D.
Pool A: Auckland, Northland, Bay of Plenty, South Canterbury
Pool B: Hawke’s Bay, Otago, Wellington, Taranaki
Pool C: Counties-Manukau, North Harbour, Wanganui, Mid Canterbury
Pool D: Waikato, Manawatu, Tasman, Canterbury.
On the women’s side of the draw, northern winner Counties-Manukau heads Pool 1. Central winner and this year’s runner up, Manawatu, top Pool 2.
Pool 1: Counties-Manukau, Waikato, Wellington, North Harbour, Otago
Pool 2: Manawatu, Auckland, Wairarapa Bush, Canterbury, Tasman
The full draw can be found here.
When: 16,17 January 2016
Where: Rotorua International Stadium
Organizers of the National Sevens are hoping locals and visitors take advantage of the chance to see some of the best sevens players in the country in action. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua community to get involved in an action packed weekend,” said Bay of Plenty Rugby Chief Executive Mike Rogers.
“Providing great sevens talent, and a fantastic family day out with food and entertainment for the kids; it certainly adds to Rotorua’s vibrancy over the holiday period not just for locals but visitors too.”
________________________________________________
The above media release was published on 18 December by NZ Rugby. Look forward to enjoying of ‘Feast of Sevens’ and full results from the 2016 National Sevens tournament will be published on Last Word On Sports.
“Main photo”
