No Quarters In Hamilton 7s
There will be no Cup quarterfinals in the third tournament of the 2019-20 World Sevens Series in Hamilton next month.
World Rugby made the ruling despite objections by participating countries during a meeting in Cape Town.
This means that the Fiji Airways Fijian 7s side need to top Pool D by beating Samoa, Australia and Argentina to progress to the semis where they are likely to face New Zealand barring upsets.
The same applies to the Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s team who are in Pool A with New Zealand, England and China.
This was decided during a meeting where managers and coaches were consulted by World Rugby.
The new format will make the pool games tougher for all teams.
Coach Gareth Baber and his men will be aiming to return to the form that saw them crowned New Zealand Sevens champions in 2019 when they overcame USA in the final.
After a disappointing outing in Dubai and Cape Town, Baber’s men will need to up their game as only the best will survive in Hamilton.
Baber is wasting no time calling the boys to camp yesterday.
All Blacks Sevens Head Coach Clark Laidlaw said: “The players can’t wait to get out on the field at FMG Stadium Waikato and play in front of a big home crowd.”
Men
Pool A- New Zealand, Scotland, USA, Wales. Pool B: South Africa, Kenya, England, Japan. Pool C: France, Ireland, Spain, Canada. Pool D: Fiji, Argentina, Australia, Samoa.
Women
Pool A: New Zealand, Fiji, China, England. Pool B: Australia, USA, Russia, Brazil. Pool C: France, Spain, Canada,Ireland..
Edited by Osea Bola
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