News

On-Sale Date Confirmed for NZI Sevens Tickets

Posted on 12th August 2010

Tuesday 28^th September has been confirmed as the on-sale date for tickets to the twelfth NZI Sevens in Wellington. Tickets will go on sale through Ticketmaster at 9am on that day, for the 4-5 February 2011 tournament.

Dates Set for 2011 NZI Sevens

Posted on 1st June 2010

NZI Sevens organisers have confirmed that 4-5 February will be the tournament dates for the Wellington leg of the 2010/2011 IRB Sevens World Series. This summer spectacle of sevens rugby will kick off a thrilling year of rugby in New Zealand, as the Rugby World Cup commences just seven months later.

NZI Sevens Success

Posted on 10th February 2010

Wellington’s eleventh NZI Sevens has been declared a success by all.

Fiji were crowned NZI Sevens Cup Champions for 2010 on Saturday night after exhibiting their exciting and powerful brand of sevens rugby throughout the two-day event. Fiji edged out Samoa 19-14 in the final. Although Samoa knocked the New Zealand sevens team out in the semi-finals, the crowd and spectacle continued to grow on Saturday night with supporters enjoying the close encounters in all four finals.

Support builds for NZI Sevens in Capital

Posted on 8th February 2010

Support is already building for Wellington to remain the venue for the NZI Sevens.

New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens has joined the chorus of people calling for the capital to stay as the tournament's host city, saying he would be "staggered" if it was to lose the tournament.

Fiji wins 2010 NZI Sevens

Posted on 6th February 2010

Fiji has been crowned the NZI Sevens Cup Champions for 2010. Day two in Wellington saw many upsets and close matches during the finals day. Fiji edged out Samoa 19-14 in a final that had the crowd roaring on their feet.

Fiji scored three tries, shared between Osea Kolinisau, Jiuta Lutumailagi, and captain Emosi Vucago, while Samoa’s Mikaele Pesamino crossed the line twice.

Fiji last won in Wellington 2006.

The first final of the night for the Shield was a close tussle between Tonga and USA, with the USA winning by three points, 17-14.

NZI Sevens Day One Action

Posted on 6th February 2010

The NZI Sevens kicked off to a great start! Wellington turned on the summer weather, the fans dressed up in everything you could imagine and the pool play saw some thrilling match ups.

New Zealand won all three of their pool play matches beating Wales, Niue and South Africa and finished top of Pool A.

Competition will be tough on day two as Fiji looked in top form as they topped Pool B. The flying Fijians had three convincing wins over Scotland, Papua New Guinea and Australia, beating them all by at least 30 points.

New Zealand Sevens Team Announced for NZI Sevens

Posted on 1st February 2010

New Zealand Sevens Coach Gordon Tietjens has named a largely experienced squad for the NZI Sevens tournament in Wellington this weekend.

Tietjens has selected just one debutant into the side, 21-year-old Fritz Lee from Counties Manukau.

Solomon King was not considered due to injury.

Tietjens said this was a very difficult squad to select.

Calling all Teletubbies, Lego Men and Marilyn Monroes – ready to play on?

Posted on 25th January 2010

NZI Sevens is all about dressing up! Trust me, if you’re the one not in costume then you’ll be getting the funny looks!

You can bet that you’ll be getting more than cross looks from security though if you wear something too risqué, bring an item that is dangerous or can be used as a weapon or wear yellow high visibility clothing…all a big no no. It’s a great party so let’s not get anyone down - even security.

Gordon Tietjens Column: Mount Maunganui beckons..

Posted on 24th January 2010

In his first irbsevens.com column of 2010, eight-time IRB Sevens World Series-winning coach Gordon Tietjens assesses New Zealand's rocket-fuelled start to the new season and looks ahead to Wellington and Las Vegas with an enhanced squad.

Poneke to the IRB Sevens World Series

Posted on 3rd December 2009

Former Poneke FC Premier and Wellington Development player, Chris Brightwell has been selected as part of the England Sevens squad for the opening leg of the IRB Sevens World Series in Dubai this weekend.

Rugby family celebrate Olympic admission

Posted on 9th October 2009

The global Rugby family are celebrating the announcement that Rugby Sevens will be included at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

An overwhelming vote in favour of inclusion by the International Olympic Committee members at the 121st Session in Copenhagen - Rugby Sevens received 81 'yes' votes to only eight 'no' votes - means that the world's top men's and women's Rugby players will have the opportunity to compete for an Olympic Gold medal, the pinnacle of sporting achievement.

IRB welcomes IOC Recommendation

Posted on 17th September 2009

The International Rugby Board (IRB) is delighted that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board has recommended Rugby Sevens as one of two sports for inclusion in the Olympic Games.Rugby Sevens secured its recommendation in the second round of voting, obtaining the 50 percent plus one majority required with nine of the 14 votes. Five further rounds of voting ensued before the Executive Board confirmed golf as the second recommended sport.

Fiji coach demands total discipline

Posted on 16th September 2009

Fiji Sevens coach Iliesa Tanivula has recalled exciting Sevens stars William Ryder and Lepani Nabuliwaqa to the national squad ahead of the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series, but at the same time insisted that he expects all of his players to be on their best behaviour both on and off the field.

Both Ryder and Nabuliwaqa lost their places in the country's Sevens set-up through ill discipline but the coach seems to have offered them a fresh start.

Lions star excited by Olympics bid

Posted on 16th September 2009

British and Irish Lions and England star Ugo Monye believes that Rugby Sevens has the perfect blend of ingredients to add a unique spectacle to the Olympic Games.

Rugby Sevens has been recommended for inclusion from the 2016 Games alongside Golf, and former Sevens star Monye believes that fans attending the Games will be in for a treat.

"The fans absolutely love Sevens. They create a carnival atmosphere, which is what the Olympics is all about. It fits hand in hand," Monye told UR7s.com.

Korea tastes success in Asian Sevens

Posted on 13th September 2009

Korea overcame their fiercest rivals and top seeds Japan twice in two days to win the Shanghai Sevens in China, the first event on the new Asian Rugby Sevens Series, thanks to an emphatic 42-19 victory in the final on Sunday.

The Koreans, playing one less match on Sunday due to the tournament format, had earlier survived a scare in the semi finals at the Shanghai Rugby Club when Chinese Taipei missed a difficult conversion to tie the match at 12-12.