Action aplenty as sizzling skills on show in rugby carnival It’s Sevens heaven
THE tries are expected to rain down during this weekend’s Townsville Rugby Sevens Carnival.
More than 350 local and interstate players will take part in two day’s worth of sevens action starting this morning at Mike Carney Toyota Park.
Five- time champions YWAM Island Breeze will again be favourites to walk away with the men’s senior trophy, but they face strong competition in the form of North Queensland big guns SMC Spartans, JCU Mariners and CQ Dingoes.
Spartans will have their own special weapon in the form of Philippines representative and Townsville junior Sean Lynch, who returns from international duty for this weekend’s tournament.
Island Breeze, comprised of Fijian players, will still have their star players, however, and are set to include a handful of players from National Rugby Championship team Melbourne Rising.
“There’s always plenty of tries, and the open space makes it very exciting for players and spectators,” TDRU operations manager Daniel Withers said. “Having players from different codes such as rugby league and touch football adds to the occasion, and we’ve had a number of players over the years get identified to train with the Australian sevens men’s team.”
Wallabies winger Sefa Naivalu began his rise into the international ranks with an appearance for Island Breeze during the tournament’s early years, and a handful of Cowboys and Townsville Blackhawks players have made their mark as well.
Competition is also expected to be strong in the women’s and under- 20s divisions.
A total of $ 10,000 worth of cash and prizes will be up for grabs.
“I think Island Breeze are the big favourites and it will be interesting to see how they go,” Withers said.
“But some strong teams are coming along this year and you never really know who is going to stand out until you see them play. “That’s part of the excitement.” This weekend’s carnival forms part of a wider Townsville sevens festival that includes the junior and teenage sevens’ carnivals being played next month.
Today’s games start at 11am running until 5pm, and the action resumes tomorrow at 10.30am with finals set to be played from 2pm.
Entry for adults is $ 5.