14/01/2009
Media Release - 2009 Adelaide Sevens teams finalised
Wednesday, 14 January, 2008
16 TEAMS FINALISED FOR INTERNATIONAL RUGBY SEVENS ADELAIDE
Japan will join Portugal – the early surprise packet of the IRB Sevens World Series – for the only Australian leg of the championship to be staged at Adelaide Oval from 3-5 April.
The International Rugby Sevens Adelaide has today confirmed the four sides to take their places alongside the 12 core teams competing on the World Series circuit in 2008-2009.
Apart from Japan and Portugal – currently seventh on the series standings and two places ahead of Australia after two events – invitations have also been extended to Pacific Island nations Tonga and the Cook Islands.
Japan has yet to play on this season’s circuit, missing the Dubai tournament in late November and the South African event in George the following week.
Coached by revered former Test player Wataru Murata, who represented his country at three Rugby World Cup tournaments, the Japanese will join the series for the fourth leg in San Diego, USA – three weeks before the IRB Rugby Word Cup Sevens in Dubai from March 5-7.
Japan will have played the USA and Hong Kong tournaments, and at the World Cup Sevens, before arriving in Adelaide for a new-look extended format that includes three days of competition with pool matches on Friday night.
The finalisation of the 16 teams to play in Adelaide coincides with the start of a 50-day countdown to the IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens.
Twenty-four teams will compete at the IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens, with Australia qualifying for both the men’s and women’s competitions.
The 16 teams to compete at the International Rugby Sevens Adelaide 2009 are:
ARGENTINA, AUSTRALIA, COOK ISLANDS, ENGLAND, FIJI, FRANCE, JAPAN, KENYA, NEW ZEALAND, PORTUGAL, SAMOA, SCOTLAND, SOUTH AFRICA, TONGA, USA, WALES.
The four-team pools and tournament draw will be announced closer to the tournament.
Details on ticketing and corporate hospitality packages are available at www.adelaidesevens.com.au.
Tickets can be purchased through Ticketek at ticketek.com.au or by calling 132 849.
A volunteer recruitment program is also underway with full details at www.adelaidesevens.com.au.