Sevens: Bok defence starts in Dubai
Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:20
Paul Treu's Springboks will have two titles to defend when the next instalment of the International Rugby Board Sevens World Series gets underway in Dubai and George in December.
The IRB on Wednesday announced the dates for the eight events which comprise the 2009/10 IRB Sevens Series - confirming that Dubai and George are again the first stop on the circuit.
The Dubai Sevens will kick off the 11th year of the Sevens World Series on December 4 and 5 at 'The Sevens', Dubai's purpose-built sporting venue which staged last year's event and the 2009 World Cup Sevens for both men and women in March.
A week later, the South Africa Sevens follows on December 11 and 12 in George on the country's famous Garden Route.
Treu's Boks, the defending IRB Sevens Series champions, also won both opening events - Dubai and George - in the 2008/09 season.
The IRB Sevens World Series will again visit five continents over a six month period and feature eight established Grand Prix style events, hosted by the same eight countries as the last three World Series.
There is, however, one change to the schedule as Australia host the Adelaide Sevens the week before Hong Kong in March 2010.
"The 10th year of the Sevens World Series was a huge celebration of Rugby filled with exciting, explosive action, fiercely contested matches, world class athletes, packed stadia and hundreds of spectacular tries," said IRB Sevens Manager, Beth Coalter.
"As we embark on the second decade of the Sevens World Series, I am sure 2009/10 will be another massive year for the Game, and we look forward to seeing newly crowned champions, South Africa, defend their title for the first time in Dubai."
IRB Chairman, Bernard Lapasset said: "These are very exciting times for Rugby Sevens with the sport represented at the World Games in Kaohsiung this month, and the Commonwealth Games Sevens finishing the Sevens calendar in 2010. By the time the World Series kicks off in December, we will also know if Rugby Sevens is to be played at the 2016 Olympic Games.
"Sevens possesses rugby's only World Series and it is our hope that the Game’s global appeal, true competitiveness and popularity with fans, broadcasters and sponsors will mark it out as a discipline to truly enhance the Olympic movement," added Lapasset.
The 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series schedule:
December 4 and 5: Dubai, UAE
December 11 and 12: George, South Africa
February 5 and 6: Wellington, New Zealand
February 13 and 14: TBC, USA
March 20 and 21: Adelaide, Australia
March 26 to 28: Hong Kong
May 22 and 23: London, England
May 29 and 30: Edinburgh, Scotland
* The 2010 Commonwealth Games Sevens competition will be held in Delhi, India on October 5 and 6, 2010.
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