Fans are buzzing AN EXCITING YEAR OF RUGBY
WE said good bye to the 2021 sporting year. Although the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on most sporting activities, fans enjoyed a range of thrills and spills from rugby- Super Rugby Aotearoa and Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, international Tests, Fiji’s 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games gold and bronze medal wins, the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship, back-to-back Canada and Dubai 7s tournaments and the Sukuna Bowl competition.
Well 2021 is water under the bridge, but the lessons learned from the sporting year will set the platform for this year, which is anticipated to be a big year for rugby, and fans are buzzing for the various international rugby events that are shaping up.
Thanks to World Rugby, Wikipedia, Sky Sports and The Guardian, let’s take a preview of the thrilling and exciting rugby year that will unfold.
Malaga 7s kicks off rugby
Malaga will be the first stop in an exciting and entertaining year for rugby 7s. Rugby 7s fans have days to wait until its return and the first event of the HSBC WRSS 2021-22 promises to be a fitting way to start a stellar year.
Malaga, the first of three new locations on the 2022 series, will host the opening men’s and women’s tournaments of the year from 21-23 January, but as players prepare to perform in unfamiliar surroundings in southern Spain, they will be aware that they will have to contend with some formidable returning rivals. Malaga had scheduled the return of the New Zealand men’s and women’s 7s teams until their withdrawal due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Fiji men’s 7s team, which is coached by former England star Ben Gollings, is pooled with England, South Africa and Scotland, while the Fijiana 7s team is pooled with USA, Canada and Poland.
Neither New Zealand teams have played since the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, but both highlighted their undoubted quality in Japan as the women won gold, and the men picked up silver.
Fiji has a relatively new squad with the likes of Jerry Tuwai, Josua Vakurinabili, Waisea Nacuqu and Semi Kunatani being the only experienced players. USA, Argentina, Australia, South Africa and France have a solid and experienced line-up.
Drua’s dream Super debut
The Fijian Drua will finally make its Super Rugby debut this year. Fiji’s dream of having its own Super Rugby team has finally come true after New Zealand Rugby announced that the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika would be added into Super Rugby.
The Drua was slated to play their home games in Australia because of COVID-19 travel restrictions.
The Drua will make their Super Rugby debut away to the Blues in Auckland on February 19 and excitement levels are high leading into their first match.
It’s going to be a massive challenge for the Drua, which is relishing the prospects of taking on the Trans-Tasman Super Rugby champions on their own turf.
The squad includes Haereiti Hetet, Jone Koroiduadua, Meli Tuni, Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, Manasa Saulo, Samuela Tawake, Mesulame Dolokoto, Tevita Ikanivere, Zuriel Togiatama, Chris Minimbi, Ratu Rotuisolia, Sorovakatini Tuifagalele, Viliame Rarasea, Joseva Tamani, Kitione Salawa, Rt. Meli Derenalagi, Nemani Nagusa, Rusiate Nasove,
Raikabula Momoedonu, Teti Tela, Vilive Miramira, Isoa Nasilasila, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Leone Nawai, Peni Matawalu, Simione Kuruvoli, Apisalome Vota, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Kalione Nasoko, Seru Vularika, Onisi Ratave, Vinaya Habosi, Kitione Taliga, Napolioni Bolaca and Tuidraki Samusamuvodre.
The side is explosive and solid. The Blues will defend the title, and will face tough opposition from the Highlanders, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Chiefs.
Wales to defend Six Nations title
For the first time in nearly two years, fans are set to return to the stands for the Six Nations. Rugby’s grand old continental competition is set to again be enlivened after the last two editions were held partly or totally behind-closed-doors.
As things stand, the six teams will battle across five rounds. Wales is the defending champion, but the Dragons face a set of stern challengers as they bid to retain their title, with England, France, Ireland and Scotland looking to build on encouraging Autumn Nations Series campaigns, and a young Italy side hoping to cause a shock.
The Six Nations competition begins in Dublin, with Ireland and Wales renewing hostilities at the Aviva Stadium, before Scotland host England at Murrayfield, and France and Italy kick off their campaign in Paris. It will conclude with three consecutive matches - Wales finish their encounter vs Italy, Ireland plays Scotland and England faces France in Paris.
Melrose Cup at stake
The 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens
will be the eighth edition of the RWC 7s organised by World Rugby.
The tournament, which will comprise 24 men’s and 16 women’s teams, will be played over three days. It will take place at the Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa from September 9-11, and will be the first ever RWC 7s in South Africa.
The dates were chosen, taking into account the Commonwealth Games tournament which will take place in July in Manchester.
The 2018 RWC 7s was held at AT&T Park, now known as Oracle Park, in San Francisco, United States. A total of 84 matches were played over three days from July 20-22. The All Blacks 7s team defeated England 33-12 in the men’s final.
They beat Fiji 22-17 in the semis. Scott Curry, Tim Mikkelson, Trael Joass, Joe Ravouvou, Dylan Collier, Akuila Rokolisoa, Salesi Rayasi, Andrew Knewstubb, Regan Ware, Kurt Baker, Jona Nareki and Sione Molia donned the All Blacks 7s outfit.
Fiji last won the Melrose Cup in 2005 at the So Kon Po Stadium, beating the All Blacks 7s 29-19 to take the Melrose Cup for the second time. Semisi Naevo, Apolosi Satala, Viliame Satala, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Jone Daunivucu, Waisale Serevi, Vilimoni Delasau, Marika Vunibaka, Nasoni Rokobiau, William Ryder, Sireli Bobo and Neumi Nanuku were part of Wayne Pivac’s team which brought joy and tears.
All Blacks to defend home title Rugby 7s at the 2018 Commonwealth Games was held on the Gold Coast, Australia from April 13-15 at Robina Stadium. It the sixth time that the men’s competition was held, following rugby 7s debut at the 1998 Games.
The All Blacks 7s side with the likes of Scott Curry, Tim Mikkelson, Trael Joass, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Dylan Collier, Vilimoni Koroi, Sam Dickson, Andrew Knewstubb, Regan Ware, Kurt Baker, Akuila Rokolisoa and Sione Molia defeated Fiji, which had the services of Semi Kunatani, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Josua Vakurinabili, Kalione Nasoko, Paula Dranisinukula, Jasa Veremalua, Mesulame Kunavula, Vatemo Ravouvou, Jerry Tuwai, Alosio Naduva, Eroni Sau, Amenoni Nasilasila and Samisoni Viriviri, 14-0. Hence, the most successful team in the history of the Commonwealth Games 7s competition will be defending their title in Birmingham. The All Blacks, who are favourites, dominated the first four Commonwealth Games and won every single tournament until losing in the final to South Africa at Glasgow in 2014.
Tough, but enterprising Rugby Championship
The 2021 Rugby Championship was the eighteenth edition of the southern hemisphere competition, involving Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
The Springboks returned after a year out due to travel restrictions and player welfare and safety concerns related to COVID-19. The championship was won by the All Blacks after the 19-17 win against the Springboks.
The All Blacks finished with 25 points, seven ahead of the Wallabies and 10 ahead of the Springboks. The Pumas remained winless
Raj in the competition.
This year, fans can expect a tough competition especially that the South African clubs are plying their trade in Europe and will not be part of the Super Rugby competition.
The Wallabies are also expected to prove a point under coach Dave Rennie. They beat the Springboks twice last year. International Tests
As usual, the international Tests are expected to add thrills to the rugby season.
The mid-year rugby union internationals in July, also known as the summer internationals in the northern hemisphere, could see Japan play France, the All Blacks host Ireland, the Wallabies face England, the Springboks line-up against Wales and Argentina to play Scotland.
The end of year rugby union Tests, also referred to as the Autumn International in the northern hemisphere, could see the Springboks play France, Ireland, Italy and England, and the Wallabies and the All Blacks take on England.
This year, the All Blacks lost to Ireland and France, while England beat the Wallabies and Springboks. Scotland also beat the Wallabies. Fiji, which beat Spain, drew against Georgia and lost to Wales, is expected to play tough opposition.
RAJNESH LINGAM is a contributor to this newspaper. The views expressed in this article are his and not necessarily of this newspaper or his employer.