PREVIEW Wellington 7s | All Eyes on SBW

Photo: World Rugby

The Olympic 7s year kicks off with the third leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series in Wellington, New Zealand this weekend. 

So far the series delivered some great surprises with eight different teams qualified for the semi-finals and Fiji and South Africa both won the Cup tournaments in Dubai and Cape Town respectively. 

So this weekend fans around the globe will tune in to follow the next round on the #roadtorio. 

Where and When?

The third round of the HSBC Sevens Series takes place at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington (capacity 34,500) on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st of January.  

The matches kick-off at 11:30am local time (02:30am UK time) and the last matches are scheduled for 20:30pm (11:30am UK time) on both days. 

See the full fixture list here.

Where can I see it?

In the UK, Sky Sports will cover the tournament on both days. For a full TV guide click here, for any other country check out this handy guide.

Who’s the favourite?

Hard to tell - The first two rounds proved that the series is more even than ever. However, with the All Blacks winning on home soil three times in the last four years they are the favourites.  

One to watch

Since New Zealand’s coach Gordon Tietjens has decided to select Sonny Bill Williams for Wellington, the rugby world can’t wait to see the World Cup winner on a 7s pitch. However, with securing titles in Union, League and Boxing does anyone really think he will struggle?

Who’s leading?

Currently Fiji and South Africa are in the lead with 35 points each, followed by the USA with 29 points. The Americans showed some outstanding performances during the first two tournaments. England are in fifth position just three points behind fourth placed Argentina. See the full standing here.

Nick Cummins joins Australia’s Sevens team

One of rugby’s most entertaining characters joined the Australian Sevens team with the focus of the Rio Olympics later this year. 

28-year-old winger Nick Cummins, who’s better known as the ‘Honey Badger’ will certainly be a fascinating and amusing addition to the 7s-circuit, on and off the rugby field. 

Cummins will link up with the national squad in March and will be available for selection for the final four legs of the HSBC World Sevens Series (Hong Kong, Singapore, Paris, London) and then the Olympics in August.

The winger played 15 Tests for the Wallabies and also has eight sevens world series caps for Australia. 

Famous for his legendary post-match interview, the “Honey Badger” commented his decision in style: “I’m keen as mustard to get this opportunity to play sevens again”

Cummins, currently plays for the Coca Cola West Red Spark in Japan.

HIGHLIGHTS | CAPE TOWN DAY 2

Photo: World Rugby

The first day of the Cape Town Sevens was never short of surprises; however no one really anticipated the outcome of day two.

Amazingly all four Dubai semi-finalists Fiji, New Zealand, England and the USA failed to get through to the last four this weekend. Instead the hosts and last year’s champions South Africa as well as France, Argentina and Kenya qualified. Especially the 17:14 victory by France over Fiji and a sensational 22:19 extra-time win by Argentina over New Zealand were among the biggest upsets.

The Blitzbokke powered through to the final with a comfortable win against France in the semi, while Argentina beat Kenya in a much closer encounter 24:22. In the final South Africa proved once more that they are the team to beat on home turf by snatching another piece of silverware. The 29:14 successes against Argentina were the third successive Cup in South Africa for the Blitzbokke.

The battle for the Plate-trophy was carried out by the top teams from Fiji, Australia, New Zealand and the USA. The Americans underlined once more their serious ambitions by beating New Zealand in the semi-final but with a 29:19 lost against Fiji 29:19 in the final the USA missed out on the trophy.

After England’s last week Cup-final appearance, Simon Amor’s team made it through to the Bowl final but lost to rivals Scotland 19:0. In the Shield final a very strong Samoan side beat Russia 40:5.

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Results | Cape Town Sevens

Cup

South Africa 29:14 Argentina 

Plate

Fiji 29:19 USA 

Bowl

Scotland 19:0 England 

Shield

Samoa 40:5 Russia 

Quick Links 

Cape Town Sevens | Results Day 2

Wellington Sevens | Fixtures 

HIGHLIGHTS | CAPE TOWN DAY 1

Photo: World Rugby

Just 7 days after the HSBC Sevens Series kicked-off in Dubai, the second round went underway in Cape Town’s magnificent football World Cup stadium today. An impressive 55,000 spectators came to see an action-packed first day with plenty of surprises. 

Kenya and Canada produced some of the biggest upsets of the day. While Kenya topped their pool with wins against South Africa and Zimbabwe as well as a draw against England, Canada secured their second-ever win against New Zealand but failed to qualify for the Cup tomorrow.

Despite a comfortable win against Zimbabwe, last week’s finalist England missed out to qualify for the Cup after a 10-0 loss against hosts South Africa.

Cape Town Sevens Cup Quarter-finals  

Fiji vs France

Australia vs South Africa

New Zealand vs Argentina

Kenya vs USA

Quick Links 

Cape Town Sevens | Results Day 1

Cape Town Sevens | Fixtures Day 2

Cape Town Sevens | Who wins round 2?

Last week’s launch of the latest HSBC Sevens Series in Dubai was pretty awesome. A record crowd witnessed top end rugby by the 28 women’s and men’s teams. While the Australian ladies won the title, an entertaining Fijian side beat England in the men’s Cup final. The USA probably caused the biggest upset with their double-win against New Zealand.  

However after a breath-taking opener there is not much time to relax as the teams are heading 10500 miles south-bound for the second stage of the series this weekend in Cape Town. So with such a short turnaround the big question will be which team enters round 2 in best form and succeed in South Africa? 

Tell us what you think! 

Quick Links

Cape Town Sevens | Fixtures

HSBC Sevens Series | Standings