2018 Schedule Confirmed for HSBC Sydney Sevens Tournament

2018 Schedule Confirmed for HSBC Sydney Sevens Tournament

While the International Sevens circuit is in hiatus, until the New Year, World Rugby are still busy at work. Now with the 2018 schedule confirmed for the HSBC Sydney Sevens tournament, both fans and teams can enter full preparations knowing who,when and where to enjoy next years event.

HSBC Sydney Sevens will be three action-packed days, from January 26-28.

One of the most popular steps on the 2017/18 HSBC Sevens Series for both women and men, the Sydney Sevens (7s) is the third tournament of the current calendar. That is followed closely by the New Zealand Sevens [a week after].

2018 Schedule Confirmed for HSBC Sydney Sevens Tournament

With the Pools drawn at the conclusion of the Cape Town Sevens, this most recent confirmation of the weekend schedule is critical. Both Women’s Sevens Series, and the Men’s Series are in their early stages, so teams have more opportunities to ‘state their claim’ at an event like Sydney.

The Australian women, South African and New Zealand men have each shown their credentials to date. So the pace-setters are targets actually, for other nations to aim for in late January.

The outcome of the 2017 event were (on one hand) predictable–the South African men on course for their triumphant season. But the women’s result was ‘out of the box’. The main picture shows the jubilation of the Canadian women’s team, who upset the hosts 17-21.

Not a shock, as Canada have threatened for many years, but returning as current Cup holders could be a boost for both the women; and the men too (who tasted success in Singapore, 2017).

Sydney Seen as the Best Start to a New Year

Who doesn’t want to open the year with a good result. New Years’ resolutions can be discussed by teams. Of course goal setting is crucial is all sport, as much as in life. Aim high–which is what each of the 16 men’s, and the 12 women’s teams will want to do.

Get it right over the two days for each competition, and the rewards will be seen on the World Rugby series standings. They would then be seen too in the build-up to both the Commonwealth Games (April) and then, the ultimate goal. In July, the rugby sevens world attention will be fully focused on the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament.

Rugbymen of the Kenyan national team celebrate their victory during the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens quarter final match (24-19) in Moscow. (Photo credit YURI KADOBNOV/AFP/Getty Images)

So the sevens series legs are all positive steps towards the end-goal.

The home sides will want to impress their home town supporters, naturally. It would be ideal for the men’s team who are eternally wishing for another tournament win – their last victory was in Japan, 2012. With their new CEO starting, Rugby Australia will invest heavily to remedy that drought.

So the rewards on offer in January 2018 are large. For the series, upcoming games and a world cup to consider, all the goal setting on December 31 may see teams assembling early. Preparations begin in earnest for all players and coaching staffs, looking towards Sydney and then Hamilton.

And for fans? The planning might be well under way…which costume to wear? And more seriously, how much sunscreen will be needed at the HSBC Sydney Sevens.

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The tournament will be live streamed on worldrugby.org/sevens-series and Facebook.com/worldrugby7s (geo-blocking applies.) Follow all the action on social media using #Sydney7s.

Then look forward to match information, all the results and ‘the Lowdown’ from the 2018 HSBC Sydney Sevens, here with Last Word on Rugby.

“Main photo credit”
Embed from Getty Images