Tough clash on the cards at Dubai Rugby Sevens
DUBAI: The 2018 Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens kicks off on Thursday at The Sevens Stadium.
Now it is 49th year, it is set to be the largest event on record with over 900 rugby and netball matches across the three days and enhanced entertainment for everyone.
Dubai will host both the men’s and women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, acting as the men’s series opener and round two of the women’s.
In addition, the largest Emirates Airline Invitation Tournament for rugby and netball to date will see action on all eight rugby pitches and three netball courts.
The women’s competition kicks off on Thursday with the Pool C match between Canada and France in a repeat of the bronze final at the US Women’s Sevens last month where Canada triumphed 28-0. Spain and Fiji are the other teams in the pool.
Inpoolb,defendingdubaichampions Australia, one of only two teams to have won the women’s title in Dubai, are set to take on England, USA and new core team China.
Series leaders New Zealand will face Ireland, Russia and invitational side Kenya in Pool A.
Speaking at the captains’ launch, Australia captain Sharni Williams said: “We have come in with some prettyhighspirits.offthebackofcolorado, we needed to look at ourselves in the mirror and think about what we need to improve on and achieve at this tournament.
“We have been here a number of timesandwehavebeenprettysuccessful here, we want to keep that rolling, we’ve got a lot of pride on the line.”
The men’s tournament kicks off on Friday where New Zealand will face US, Spain and Wales in Pool C.
Pool B sees Fiji face Scotland, France and Kenya, while Pool A features defending series and Dubai champions South Africa, Samoa, Argentinaandinvitationalsidezimbabwe. Pool D features England, Australia, Canada and new core team Japan.
New Zealand captain Scott Curry said:“it’salwaysanexcitingtimebeing in Dubai, about to start a new world series. It’s definitely an exciting time.
“This year is about qualifying for the Olympics, it’s a massive year for all the teams. You can’t start slow on the world series. To win a world series is all about consistency, so to start here well will lead us off well to hopefully go and win a world series.”
Earlier, speaking at the pre-tournament press conference, Gary Chapman, President Emirates Group Services and dnata said: “We are getting closer to the milestone 50th Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, and we are proud to have played a big part in the phenomenal growth that the tournamenthasseen.withcloseto300 teams participating this year – from all walks of life and from all corners of the globe, this is a true festival of rugby where there is something for everybody.”
World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont commented: said: “This is an exciting year for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, as not only will the best women’s and men’s sevens teams in the world again compete for the coveted world series title, they will also look to secure their ticket to Tokyo 2020withtheseriesactingasprinciple route for Olympic qualification.
“Dubai has been a long serving and welcoming host for the world series and this year we are especially delighted to be back as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the men’s competition.|
Qais Al Dhalai, Secretary General, UAE Rugby Federation, Chairman of Arab Rugby Federation said: “The UAE Rugby Federation, once again, is very pleased to welcome all teams, officials, and spectators, to what we expect will be an exciting and successful Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens.”
“We, at the Federation, are delighted to see the popularity of Sevens grow within the Emirati community, we are thrilled to be in the position to take our sport into more Emirati Schools.”