2023 World Sevens Series
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@ARHS Up to and including the 2019 Hamilton Sevens, it was only a men's tournament. In 2019, they organised a Women's Fast Four, but that was all. Only the 2020 Hamilton Sevens was both a men's and women's tournament, but they made a change to the format to make a tournament on two days possible: only the first-placed team from each pool progressed to the Cup semis. All the other teams played one less qualification match. It was a weird and much-criticised format (althought the other changed format they tried in the 2019 South Africa tournament was equally unpopular, when they scratched the 5th and 7th place play-offs).
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@Stargazer yep thanks for confirming. I was there and enjoyed the fast 4 format. The other way was not great but this is far worse in my view.
I have done a lot of event scheduling, sometimes to accommodate streaming or TV. You look at the participant and spectator experience before you decide on an option from compromised choices. Sevens thrives on support from the sidelines to boost the players. And it is a great spectator experience to see it happening for lesser teams. Having so many matches on a second pitch without the stands will disappoint many. Surely the women have earned the right to have their own events or perhaps back to back events with the men over 3 days? Squeezing both into 2 days???
I am aware that a lot of folks are questioning World rugby on the major changes this year to 7s. A few teams will miss out as will some popular hosts. What on earth are they thinking? -
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Hamilton Sevens Draw (dates/times listed in NZDT)
Saturday 21 January 2023
10.16am: All Blacks Sevens v Tonga
11.44am: Black Ferns Sevens v Papua New Guinea
2.06pm: All Blacks Sevens v Australia
3.12pm: Black Ferns Sevens v Fiji
7.35pm: All Blacks Sevens v Great Britain
8.03pm: Black Ferns Sevens v Great Britain
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5 BF7s squad changes from Cape Town
BFs back in (Fluhler, Hirini, Fitzpatrick, Woodman-Wickliffe) along with Saili
Out: Brazier (injured), Te Tamiki, Teneti, Ikenasio, Nuku
Pretty much a massive strengthening even though the last squad won the last round.
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@Bovidae said in 2023 World Sevens Series:
I took my niece along to the open skills/signing session this morning. Plenty of kids having a good time.
That's great. Gotta keep riding that momentum from the RWC. Hope it carries through to Aupiki.
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