SUPER 7S SERIES : 16 TEAMS
FOR FIRST LEG AT LAWAQA PARK, SIGATOKA.
The stage is set for the first ever Fiji Rugby Super 7s Series which kicks off next week at the Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka.
The two-day tournament on January 22-23 is the first leg and Fiji Rugby Union chief executive officer, John O’Connor confirms arrangements with the Fiji Sports Council in regards to facilities have all been finalized.
O’Connor confirmed 14 men’s teams including the two wildcard entries have accepted the invitation to participate in the tournament. He added they can only accommodate 16 men’s teams.
They will play round-robin matches with the top two to face off in the final.
The other two teams will fight for 3rd and 4th place, respectively. O’Connor said all pool games will be played on Friday with the knockouts to take place on Saturday.
“Players that are part of the Fiji 7s extended squad will feature for their own clubs in this first leg while the members of the Fijiana 7s will form two teams and play in their round robin pool games” O’Connor added.
“We are excited with interests in sponsorship for the tournament and are continuing negotiations with interested sponsors and we expect to make an announcement prior to the tournament. “We have however, assisted teams with $500 preparation and participation funding each” O’Connor said. He confirmed other benefits will be determined after the finalisation of sponsors and teams will be advised accordingly.
The format for the Super 7s Series is similar to the World Rugby 7s Series whereby teams will be awarded points and in the final tournament, the team that has the most points will be awarded the winner of the series.
The World Rugby Sevens Series rules and regulations will also be implemented during the tournament.
Ticket prices are $10 (grandstand) and $5 (ground) for both days at the Lawaqa Park.
The first leg of the Super 7s Series kicks off at 9am next Friday.The 16 men’s teams have been divided into the following pools:
Pool A: Tabadamu, Police White, BLK Stallions, Eastern Saints;
Pool B: Police Blue, Raiwasa Taveuni, Fire, Wadigi Salvo;
Pool C: FDS Barbarians, Ratu Filise, Wardens, Yamacia;
Pool D: Uluinakau, Army, Dominion Brothers, Nawaka.
The four teams in the women’s competition are Mt Masada, Mt Camel, Striders and Seahawks.