Olympics

After a memorable tournament, Fiji were denied Gold by New Zealand in Men’s Commonwealth Games final at the Rugby Sevens competition. The two rivals faced off, after each side swept past England and South Africa, to fight it out for the prize which Fiji coveted most

Over the history of men’s competition at the Commonwealth Games, one prize has eluded the South Seas Island nation. Crowned World Champions, Sevens Series champs and more– but in 2018, Fiji chase their ‘White Whale’ at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens

The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens begins today. The men’s competition is played over two days, with the Blitzbok looking to retain their Gold medals from 2014. Enjoy the first of two features on the 16 teams challenging at this Olympic format competition

Eight teams will compete for the inaugural 2018 Commonwealth Games Women’s Rugby Sevens gold medal. In the Olympic-format tournament, it will be a four way battle for top spot, with Australia favourites. The two Pools face off today, with semi-finalists decided on Day Two on the Gold Coast

In a boost for both the game, and for representation, Asian teams qualify for the 2018/19 HSBC Sevens Series. And it was not handed to them either – both the Chinese women and Japanese men held nothing back this weekend, to reach their goals. Not only did they compete and win at the 2018 Cathay […]

As the men’s and women’s New Zealand Sevens teams were excitedly preparing to join their fellow athletes at the Commonwealth Games village on the Gold Coast, late injury and illness has interrupted their aspirations. In two separate incidents, firstly Caleb Clarke was pulled from the men’s squad, due to an appendicitis medical emergency. And then […]

But the next occasion where these two opponents will be drawn in competition is at the Commonwealth Games. Australia may again face the New Zealand Black Ferns Sevens, and that is the secondary point. In less than two months, nations from within the Commonwealth, will descend on the Queensland coastline – and that will be where the New Zealand team must now focus all it’s energy on.

The increased focus from both traditional rugby players as well as athletes from other sports, shows how the lure of the Olympic movement in rugby sevens has on sports people. That luster of gold can motivate players to see sevens now as a pathway to higher honours.

The fourth round of the HSBC Women’s Sevens Series will be hosted by Japan this weekend, in the Southern city of Kitakyushu. 12 teams, including the hosts Japan will battle it out in the inaugural event at the new Mikuni World Stadium from April 22-23. This could be the dress rehearsal for Japan, as they get […]

Celebrating our game, Last Word On Rugby have combined the wealth of knowledge from all our staff and writers, to come up with the MC50 Most Influential Player Series. A list that profiles the many and growing number of players in World Rugby who are either the MVP of their country, competition or code: we […]

Celebrating our game, Last Word on Rugby have combined the wealth of knowledge from all our staff of writers, to come up with the MC50 Most Influential Player Series.  A list that profiles the many and growing number of players in World Rugby who are the MVP of their country, competition or code: we start […]

With the New Year fast approaching, Last Word On Rugby are reflecting back on a fine year. From the International matches to the Sevens at the Olympic Games, the ‘LWOR highlights for 2016’ are a wide and varied account. As part of our MCXM Top 10 memories of 2016, the fourth in our series has contributions from NZ rugby specialist Mike […]

After what seems like a prolonged wait, New Zealand Rugby have released news that the NZ Sevens Head Coach will be experienced sevens and rugby coach Clark Laidlaw. The much discussed selection process had been long and seen much speculation, but the common thinking that Scotland-born Laidlaw was being canvassed for the role, has proved true. The […]

Sir Gordon Tietjens has pulled the curtain on his legendary Rugby Sevens coaching career. After 22 years as the leader of the sport where he has been hugely responsible for transforming the Sevens game in New Zealand, into what it is today. The New Zealand (NZ) rugby announcement was predicted widely, but honestly no one […]

The world watched today as Rugby Sevens players dreams were finally realized. In amazing scenes, two national sides competed for one of the most elusive prizes in sport. A team gold medal at the Olympic Games. After a superb tournament, Fiji emerged as men’s champions as their players’ golden dreams realized on the world stage. […]