National 7s this weekend in Rotorua

Sixteen men’s and 10 women’s provincial teams are descending on Rotorua this weekend for the 2014 Bayleys National Sevens tournament, over two days and involving 75 games.

Following three highly competitive regional qualifying tournaments in November and December, and with the profile of 7s rugby having been raised significantly in the lead-up the 2016 Olympic Games, this year’s tournament promises to be as exciting as it gets.

The format of the tournament sees round-robin pool play on Saturday and the knockout rounds on Sunday. The men’s teams are split into four pools of four and women’s sides divided into two pools of five. The women's competition has been expanded with 10 teams taking part, up from six last year.

Day two is silverware Sunday, with the leading two men’s teams from each Pool advancing to the Cup quarterfinals and the third and fourth placed finishers contesting the Plate quarterfinals. The men’s knockout rounds continue on down through to the Bowl and Shield rounds.

Similarly, The women’s competition splits into the Cup, Bowl and Plate deciders on the second day. ?

A number of All Black Sevens players will feature in the weekend ahead of the upcoming HSBC World Series Sevens Las Vegas and Wellington legs.

Taranaki are the defending men’s champions and Manawatu the defending women’s champions.

Canterbury’s men’s and women’s teams won the Southern Region qualifying tournament, Hawke’s Bay (men) and Manawatu (women) won the Central Region qualifiers and Auckland’s men’s and women’s teams won the Northern qualifiers.

The tournament kicks off at 12:05 pm on both days and is being broadcast live on Sky Sport and the Rugby Channel. The women’s Cup final on Sunday is at 6.55 pm, followed by the men’s Cup final at 7.30 pm.

Children's tickets are $5 and adults are $15 for a day pass.

The Men’s Pools are:

Pool A: Otago, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, Waikato
Pool B: Wellington, Poverty Bay, Auckland, Southland
Pool C: Canterbury, Mid Canterbury, Taranaki, North Harbour
Pool D: Tasman, Northland, Counties Manukau, Bay of Plenty

The Women’s Pools are:

Pool A: Manawatu, Canterbury, Taranaki, Counties Manukau, Bay of Plenty
Pool B: Auckland, Waikato, Otago, Wellington, Southland

Tournament Draw:

To view the full tournament draw click here

The Wellington men’s team is:

1. Vaea Fifita
2. Hayden Schrijvers
3. Greg Foe
4. Inoke Rasabale
5. Murphy Taramai
6. Tomasi Alosio
7. Tiwi Davies
8. Matt Peni
9. Kayne Hammington
10. Tauaosi Tuimavavae
11. Afa Fa’atau
12. Lote Raikabula

Coaches: Scott Waldrom and Sam Rasch
Manager: Dean Simpson
Trainer: Duncan Pearce

The Wellington women’s team is:

1. Vaine Marsters
2. Georgia Daals
3. Aimee Sutorius
4. Kauna Lopa
5. Timena Tuma’ai
6. Brenda Collins
7. Heniti Davis
8. Mary Jane Ale
9. Kat Simpkins
10. Lekah Leti
11. Ruby Finau
12. Pauline Piliae

Coaches: Charles Aliva and Faavae Tuma’ai
Trainer: Adam Allen
Manager: Lesley McKenzie
Therapist: Anna Mason MacKay

Games involving Wellington teams on Saturday are:

12.25 pm: Wellington v Poverty Bay (men’s)
1.45 pm: Wellington v Waikato (women’s)
3.05 pm: Wellington v Auckland (men’s, field 2)
3.05 pm: Wellington v Auckland (women’s, field 1)
4.35 pm: Wellington v Southland (women’s)
5.25 pm: Wellington v Otago (women’s)
6.05 pm: Wellington v Southland (men’s)

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