Hamilton to Host HSBC New Zealand Sevens 25-26 January 2020

The HSBC New Zealand Sevens, scheduled to take place at FMG Stadium Waikato on 25-26 January 2020, will feature the women’s and men’s tournaments for the first time.

The Black Ferns Sevens will be eager to impress playing in front of a home crowd for the first time in a HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series event.

Hamilton becomes the 17th host since the women’s series began in 2012-13 and is the fourth round of the current series, which New Zealand lead following impressive back-to-back victories in Dubai and Cape Town in December.

The pool draw for the women’s event sees hosts and reigning series champions New Zealand face Fiji, England and invitational team China in Pool A. Olympic Champions Australia, who are placed second in the series standings, will take on third-placed USA, Russia and newly promoted Brazil in Pool B.

Pool C will get the action under way in Hamilton as France face Spain at 09:30 (local time GMT+13) on Saturday, 25 January, followed by Canada versus Ireland. The Black Ferns first take to the pitch against China who recently qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at 11:20 on the first day of competition.

The men’s event sees the hosts and current joint series leaders the All Blacks Sevens drawn with Scotland, USA and Wales in Pool A. Fellow joint series leaders South Africa, who were victorious in Dubai, will take on Kenya, England and invitational team Japan in Pool B.

Third placed France will be looking to keep their strong run of form going as they face Ireland, Canada and Spain in Pool C, while reigning Olympic and Series Champions Fiji will play Argentina, Australia and Samoa in Pool D.

The men’s competition gets under way with Ireland versus Canada at 11:57 on Saturday, 25 January while New Zealand first take to the field against Wales at 14:31 on day one of the competition.

Fiji will be aiming to return to the form that saw them crowned HSBC New Zealand Sevens champions in 2019 when they overcame USA in the final. Hosts New Zealand claimed the bronze medal on home soil.

Black Ferns Sevens Co-Coach, Allan Bunting, said, “Last year was a great occasion, but to play in a world series event on home soil for the first time, alongside the men, is something the team has been looking forward to for a long time. It’s going to be incredibly special and we can’t wait.”

Rugby pictures: Pictures from 2019 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2018 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2017 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures from 2016 Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, Pictures of Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2015, Pictures of the Asia Rugby Sevens Olympic Games Qualifier in Hong Kong, Pictures of Singha Thailand Sevens 2015, Pictures from the 2013 British & Irish Lions Tour in Hong Kong, Pictures of Hong Kong Sevens 2014, Pictures of Hong Kong Sevens 2013, Pictures of Chartis Cup 2012 and Pictures of Cathay Pacific / HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2012.

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