After the last tournament of rugby sevens action in Europe, the full complement of sides is now set with the final World Rugby RWC7s qualification berths confirmed for the South African event.
The winners and high-performing sevens nations secured their place at the showpiece tournament in Cape Town. It is scheduled to be staged between September 9-11 this year.
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 Cape Town event qualification on the line
Now the full complement is known, the excitement grows as players involved now realize they will join current World Champions, New Zealand, and all the other sides who had already qualified. And World Rugby detailed how the pinnacle event for many athletes will help continue the sport’s growth across the globe.
A full complement of sides set after World Rugby RWC7s qualifiers
Poland
In a media release, World Rugby celebrated all team’s performances, including Poland. That country’s women had earlier success in the Rugby Europe Women’s Championship that was secured, by claiming the title in Lisbon before losing the RWC7s (Rugby World Cup Sevens) qualifier-final on home soil in Krakow, against highly fancied Ireland.
Claiming their maiden Championship title had given the Polish squad the confidence that they could follow it up with qualification for RWC7s for the very first time. “It’s a dream for our team [that] we will play the best,” Poland winger Malgorzata Koldej told World Rugby.
“We want to play with New Zealand, we want to play with Australia. We want this! We train very hard for this and no matter what players we take there, it doesn’t matter, we want to play there.”
She will not be alone. Others from nations like Madagascar, Lithuania, Hong Kong, and the sides elevated over this weekend; including the German men, will all experience the World Cup atmosphere for the first time.
Here we go! 🙌
The final members have been added to round off the women's teams that have qualified for the #RWC7s! 🏉 pic.twitter.com/dfKNO5skNI
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 17, 2022
Ireland
One side that did qualify, is the Irish men’s side. A team that over the last three seasons has been on an upward trend at a great speed of knots. Improving at every tournament they attended, a stunning second place at the Toulouse round of the 2021/22 HSBC Sevens Series propelled them up into fourth place on the standings – with one round remaining, in Los Angeles.
That Irish side is aiming to peak for the Birmingham Games, and now with their performance in the World Rugby RWC7s qualifiers, many see Ireland as a real chance of medalling this year – if not in Birmingham, then later in Cape Town.
Ready to battle it out on the world stage! 🔥
The final members have been added to round off the Men's teams that have qualified for the #RWC7s! 🏉 pic.twitter.com/iwFvtbJW39
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 17, 2022
With 50 days until the Rugby World Cup Sevens (RWC7s) in Cape Town, the sport will enjoy a huge focus from its existing and growing fanbase. After the World Rugby RWC7s qualifiers, Commonwealth countries will display their skills to a global audience. Then the World Series completes the men’s calendar in Los Angeles before all qualified teams head to South Africa for the pinnacle event.
World Rugby RWC7s is fast approaching
The opening matches draw has recently been released, with World Rugby promoting its ‘winner takes all’ knock-out competition format (first introduced at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018) which means every match counts as teams will need to win every time they enter the pitch in order to become world champions.
Last Word on Rugby will bring you more features and news on the sport, as each stage of the calendar sees more entertainment and skills displayed from Birmingham, to Cape Town.
“Main photo courtesy of Rugby Europe Facebook page“
