Pic: World Rugby
After an action-packed start in Chile, the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series heads into the second leg this weekend. Staged almost 1200 miles westward, the teams travelled to the capital of Uruguay during the week in order to compete for a valuable space as a core team of the World Sevens Series next season. Staged at the home of Uruguayan Rugby, the Estadio Charrúa in Montevideo welcomes the 16 teams from all continents to another exciting weekend of 7s.
When and Where?
The second leg of the inaugural World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series will be played in Montevideo, Uruguay on February 22-23.
The tournament will be held at the Estadio Charrúa (capacity 14,000). The first match kicks off at 11:03 local time (GMT-3) on Saturday 22 February with Tonga facing Portugal. Day 2 gets underway at 11:33 (GMT-3) on Sunday with the 9th place quarter-final. The final is scheduled for 20:23 (GMT-3) on Sunday evening.
Where Can I See It?
World Rugby Sevens streams the tournament live on their website
Who’s the favourite?
Current European 7s Champions Germany proved to be the in-form team at the first round when they went unbeaten through both days to win the title in Chile. On the way to the title, they overcame top-favourites Japan in the semis which was a strong signal that the team under new coach Damian McGrath is prepared to join the big dogs on the World Series circuit.
Chile and finalists Hong Kong also looked very strong and will remain a candidate for the title in Uruguay. Japan, which travels with the most experience in terms of top-level 7s to Montevideo, is expected to make it at least to semis again if not the final, where they could face, once again, Germany.
One to Watch
Tim Lichtenberg
The 23-year old Lichtenberg was one of the outstanding players in a very talented Germany squad last weekend. The powerful winger has the speed and awareness to score from anywhere on the pitch which makes him a real force.
What a score! Tim Lichtenberg knows his way to the try line pic.twitter.com/ElcX3VIQ2v
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) September 30, 2017
THE POOLS
POOL A: GERMANY, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, URUGUAY, MEXICO
POOL B: HONG KONG, UGANDA, JAMAICA, BRAZIL
POOL C: JAPAN, ZIMBABWE, ITALY, PARAGUAY
POOL D: CHILE, TONGA, PORTUGAL, COLOMBIA
