Yanks are full-time on circuit
Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:12
The International Rugby Board (IRB) has announced that the United States (US) will play in all eight events of the 2008/09 IRB Sevens World Series.
The new season, which marks the 10th anniversary of the Series, offers the US a first outing as a core team, having replaced Canada to join the other ever-presents on the Series: Argentina, Australia, England, Fiji, France, Kenya, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, Wales and reigning champions New Zealand.
"Being able to grant US Sevens core team status is testament to the growth of Rugby that is taking place in their country following strong performances in the tournaments they have participated in over the last couple of years. Now they will be aiming to build further on their success and move up the Sevens rankings to put more pressure on the other core teams," said IRB Sevens World Series Manager Beth Coalter.
At each tournament four additional Unions will be invited to compete alongside the 12 core teams, except in Hong Kong, where 12 extra teams are invited to participate in the larger 24-team, three-day format.
The additional countries qualify for invitation by competing in satellite Sevens tournaments that run in each of the continents alongside the IRB Sevens World Series, a structure that allows each rugby playing nation the opportunity to compete on the biggest stage, while adding to the unique global flavour of international Sevens.
The IRB Sevens World Series' 10th anniversary season follows the successful format of packing the tournaments into pairs. Dubai (United Arab Emirates) will kick off the celebrations on November 28 and 29 at the new purpose-built 'The Sevens' venue, which will also host World Cup Sevens in March 2009. George (South Africa) follows on December 5 and 6.
The second pair of tournaments are in February, Wellington hosting the New Zealand leg on February 6 and 7 and San Diego staging the US event on February 14 and 15.
The famous Hong Kong Sevens takes place over three days March from 27 to 29, ahead of the third Adelaide Sevens in Australia on April 4 and 5. The Series will again draw to a climax in Europe at the end of May, Twickenham staging the London leg on May 23 and 24 and Murrayfield providing a fitting finale in Edinburgh, Scotland, on May 30 and 31.
"The eight tournaments spread across six continents gives the Series a unique global appeal. Four tournaments were at capacity last year, while the other four registered strong crowds in another record season. Support for the Series continues to grow across the globe and tickets for the New Zealand Sevens in Wellington in February sold out within 10 minutes recently," said Coalter.
The IRB Sevens World Series, along with Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009, is an integral part of the promotion of Sevens Rugby to the world's sporting community, including the International Olympic Committee as the IRB continues its campaign to have Rugby re-introduced into the Olympic Games.
