2020-2021 World Sevens Series
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Again a change to the 2021 World Series schedule, due to Covid.
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2021 schedule update
Following the thrilling and very successful Olympic competitions in Tokyo, rugby sevens returns to HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series action on 18-19 September with BC Place in Vancouver hosting the first event of the 2021 Series, which sees a men’s Series event combined with a women’s fast-four tournament.
The following weekend, on 25-26 September, the teams will switch venues in Canada to compete again at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, which will host a HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series event for the first time and was the venue of the Rugby World Cup 2006 final.
World Rugby, its event hosts and participating unions remain committed to delivering an exciting programme of series events for the world’s best men’s and women’s sevens teams. However, as with all sports of a global nature, adjustments are inevitable within a challenging and dynamic COVID-19 environment.
Due to this uncertainty, travel restrictions and other impacts of the global pandemic, the Hong Kong Rugby Union (HKRU) and World Rugby have taken the difficult decision to cancel the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2021, which was scheduled for 5-7 November.
The decision follows detailed and constructive dialogue between World Rugby, the HKRU, participating unions and relevant Hong Kong government bodies, and has been taken with the health and wellbeing of the rugby community and the wider public as the top priority.
The date for the 2022 Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens has been set for 1-3 April, meaning there are just 239 days to go until international rugby sevens action returns to one of its most famous homes in Hong Kong.
It has also been decided that the HSBC Paris Sevens, which was originally scheduled to take place in Marcoussis in May, will also not take place in 2021 due to Covid-19 impacts and associated logistical challenges.
The updated 2021 Series now includes five men’s and two women’s rounds planned to take place in the final four months of the year.
So the schedule now is:Men
18 - 19 September 2021 - Vancouver
25 - 26 September 2021 - Edmonton
29 - 30 October 2021 - Singapore
3 - 4 December 2021 - Dubai
10 - 12 December 2021 - Cape TownWomen
18 - 19 September 2021 - Vancouver - women’s fast-four tournament (which countries?)
25 - 26 September 2021 - Edmonton - women’s fast-four tournament (which countries?)
3 - 4 December 2021 - Dubai
10 - 12 December 2021 - Cape Town
The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022 schedule will be announced in due course in what is set to be a supercharged year for rugby sevens with the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England on 29-31 July, and Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa on 9-11 September.
Busy schedule for women's rugby in 2022, with the postponed Women's RWC (XVs) also to take place in 2022 (in NZ).
The big question for NZ women's teams will be whether players like Sarah Hirini, Stacey Fluhler, Kelly Brazier and Portia Woodman will again be available for both sevens and XVs, next year. Will players retire or take a break?
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@stargazer Why is the Sevens circuit going to Cape Town when South Africa are in the middle of a crisis yes it’s 4 months away but I can’t see much changing in that time.
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That's a pity, but not unexpected. He's been an awesome coach.
Change at the helm for Black Ferns Sevens
After 10 years involved in the Black Ferns Sevens programme, the gold-medal winning Olympic campaign will be the last for Co-Coach Allan Bunting who is stepping down from his role.
Co-Coach Cory Sweeney will take the helm of the team, with an exciting 12 months approaching that includes the Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2022.
Bunting joined the Black Ferns Sevens during the Go4Gold campaign in 2012 and took the role of Head Coach of the team after the Rio Olympics.
He has been part of two World Cup wins, an inaugural Commonwealth Games gold, two Olympic campaigns and six World Series wins. He oversaw the team that went on a 50-match winning streak in 2018/2019.
Cory Sweeney has been part of the Black Ferns Sevens set up for five years, joining Bunting as Co-Coach at the start of the 2019-2020 season.“We’re excited that Cory has signed on to lead the Black Ferns Sevens through the next Olympic cycle. Cory is highly respected and has all the qualities to lead the programme to more success,” said Robinson.
The remainder of the coaching group will be confirmed in the coming months.
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@stargazer said in 2020-2021 World Sevens Series:
That's a pity, but not unexpected. He's been an awesome coach.
Change at the helm for Black Ferns Sevens
After 10 years involved in the Black Ferns Sevens programme, the gold-medal winning Olympic campaign will be the last for Co-Coach Allan Bunting who is stepping down from his role.
Co-Coach Cory Sweeney will take the helm of the team, with an exciting 12 months approaching that includes the Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2022.
Bunting joined the Black Ferns Sevens during the Go4Gold campaign in 2012 and took the role of Head Coach of the team after the Rio Olympics.
He has been part of two World Cup wins, an inaugural Commonwealth Games gold, two Olympic campaigns and six World Series wins. He oversaw the team that went on a 50-match winning streak in 2018/2019.
Cory Sweeney has been part of the Black Ferns Sevens set up for five years, joining Bunting as Co-Coach at the start of the 2019-2020 season.“We’re excited that Cory has signed on to lead the Black Ferns Sevens through the next Olympic cycle. Cory is highly respected and has all the qualities to lead the programme to more success,” said Robinson.
The remainder of the coaching group will be confirmed in the coming months.
At least Cory is getting his 'auto sign of assistant by NZR' on the back of an awesome period for his team, unlike 2017-19 ABs with Foster
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@machpants Yeah, the difference also being that Sweeney was co-coach, not assistant coach. There have been tournaments the last few years that Bunting couldn't attend and Sweeney has been coaching as the solo coach. If he can ensure the culture stays the same and not much else changes (apart from evolving and improving as necessary), the team will be fine.
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As expected, the schedule has been changed again. And I expect there will be more changes to come.
Also wondering whether NZ and Aussie teams will bother to travel to the events in Canada especially, given the requirements to go into MIQ upon return. And then, where will they be based for the 2022 Series (starting with Dubai)?
Following rugby sevens’ captivating second appearance at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the sport returns to HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series action this month with a pair of HSBC Canada Sevens men’s events alongside women’s fast four tournaments in Vancouver on 18-19 September and Edmonton on 25-26 September, 2021.
The events in Canada will form the 2021 Series, with the Series title awarded in Edmonton, as an update to the planned schedule sees Dubai now host a pair of men’s and women’s combined events as the kick-off for the following year’s 2022 Series. The Emirates Dubai 7s will host a behind closed doors round on 26-27 November, 2021, followed by a second round on 3-4 December, 2021 with fans in attendance at the popular event in The Sevens Stadium.
Unfortunately and despite the best efforts of all stakeholders involved, due to the ongoing and variable impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic the HSBC Singapore Sevens and HSBC Cape Town Sevens planned for 29-30 October and 10-12 December respectively will not go ahead as planned in 2021.Following constructive discussions it has also been agreed that Sydney, Australia and Hamilton, New Zealand will not be part of the schedule in 2022 due to the ongoing travel and logistical challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in this region. Advanced discussions are ongoing towards replacement hosts for the these events in the 2022 Series.
The complete HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022 schedule will be announced later this month. Rugby sevens players and fans can look forward to a very busy and exciting year in 2022 with the Series followed by the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on 29-31 July and concluding with the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town on 9-11 September.
HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series to double-up in Canada and Dubai | World Rugby
Following its successful second Olympic appearance in Tokyo, men’s and women’s international rugby sevens returns with HSBC Canada Sevens events in Vancouver and Edmonton in September.
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@stargazer This article says that the NZ teams won't be going to any overseas tournament this year.
