Global Partners
Global Partners
label.rwc7s2022.logo-alt-text label.rwc7s2022.logo-alt-text label.rwc7s2022.logo-alt-text
Listen Live
  • Get Tickets
  • Teams & Qualifying
  • Video
  • News
  • Get Tickets
  • Teams & Qualifying
  • Video
  • News
  • Venue
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ Tickets
  • About RWC Sevens
  • Media
  • Contact Us
World Rugby
Website language
English
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • 日本語
Website language
English
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • 日本語
  • About RWC Sevens
  • Media
  • Contact Us
Latest News
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Three
1 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Island Tribe to keep fans protected as the sun shines on Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Island Tribe has been appointed as an Official Supplier of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town, as momentum continues towards the biggest showcase of the sevens game on the planet.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Thu 23 June, 2022
1 min read
World Rugby logo - one to use for generic releases
1 min read

RWC Sevens 2022

Match officials selected for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in South Africa

World Rugby has announced the selection of match officials for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022, which takes place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 9-11 September.

RWC Sevens 2022

Fri 10 June, 2022
1 min read
HSBC France Sevens 2022 Women's
3 min read

RWC Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: 100 days to go

As the countdown to RWC Sevens 2022 heads into the final 100 days, we give you the lowdown on the showpiece tournament to get you excited for kick-off in Cape Town.

RWC Sevens 2022

Wed 1 June, 2022
3 min read
Andy Vilk, head coach of Italy men's sevens
4 min read

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Italy men’s sevens team seeks return to the big stage

The European men's qualification tournament for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 is on the horizon with the prize of four tickets to Cape Town, South Africa at stake in July.

RWC Sevens 2022 qualifying

Thu 19 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
2018 Highlights
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
08:29 mins

Highlights: New Zealand win big in San Francisco

New Zealand retained their Rugby World Cup Sevens title in San Francisco
Mon 23 July, 2018
08:29 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
07:03 mins

Highlights: New Zealand women's win Rugby World Cup Sevens

Check out all the top action as New Zealand win The Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco
Sun 22 July, 2018
07:03 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
06:30 mins

HIGHLIGHTS: Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two

Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two of action at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 #RWC7s
Sun 22 July, 2018
06:30 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day One
06:51 mins

Highlights: Men's quarter-finals decided

Men's quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup Sevens decided after incredible first day at AT&T Park
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:51 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
06:26 mins

Highlights: Women's semi-finals confirmed at Rugby World Cup Sevens

Championship semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day one of action
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:26 mins
Olympic Games
Tuesday 08 June, 2021
3 min read

Adriaan Ferris hoping to warm Tongan hearts with Olympic qualification

We caught up with Adriaan Ferris, Viliami Vaki and Tevita Tu’ifua as they attempt to put together a competitive squad to represent Tonga at the Olympic Repechage tournament.
  • label.share.via_facebook_messenger
  • label.share.via_whatsapp
  • label.share.via_facebook
  • label.share.via_twitter
  • label.share.via_copy
    URL Copied

Things have moved quite quickly in the month or so since Adriaan Ferris and Viliami Vaki received SOS calls from Tonga sevens head coach Tevita Tu’ifua.

For the past three years Tu’ifua has overseen a squad of New Zealand-based players that has represented Tonga on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and at the Oceania Sevens.

He was planning to take that squad to Monaco for this month’s Olympic Repechage tournament too, until COVID-19 restrictions intervened.

At the end of April, the Tonga Rugby Union announced that, due to quarantine rules in New Zealand, it would select a squad of European-based players to compete for the final men’s sevens spot at Tokyo 2020.

Ferris, who is based in California, and former Tonga captain Vaki, who is currently coaching in Italy, answered Tu’ifua’s call and agreed to come on board as head coach and team manager respectively.

“In Tonga, they have a concept called loto māfana, which basically translates in English to warm heart and that's the spirit of Tongan people,” Ferris told World Rugby. 

“That is a cornerstone of what we want to start building on for Tongan rugby and both Pila (Vaki) and I are just very thankful for the Tongan board for providing this opportunity for us because, you know, they could have gone with anyone really. 

“Certainly to be asked by Tevita Tu'ifua and the board is a huge honour certainly for me, and I certainly know with Viliami. 

“So, I guess what we're doing is we're really just focused on just one tournament, and if anybody knows anything about sevens, anything can happen on the day.

Tonga ready to go pic.twitter.com/O0Z2jGQidk

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) January 26, 2019

“So, we're really focusing on day one and making sure that we put our best foot forward. And, you know, our goal is to put ourselves in a position to compete on day two.”

Exciting playing group

The last few weeks have been spent speaking to players and clubs in Europe while monitoring the COVID-19 situation as they attempt to put together a scratch side capable of beating Samoa, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Mexico in Pool A.

Ferris and Vaki will meet up with their players for the first time on Wednesday, although the exact make-up of the squad has not yet been officially confirmed.

Tonga were hopeful they could recruit several high profile players for Monaco, and Ferris cannot wait to arrive in Europe and start working with the squad.

“We have a playing group that are busting at the chops to get together, there's nothing greater than playing for your country,” he said.

“That's exciting because they are a level of player that have experienced different World Cups and professional competitions around the world.

“That said, they're coming out of 15s season, so we don't really know the state that they'll arrive in and the challenges of playing international level sevens is difficult. 

“But, the excitement within the group is there to be able to play and play well.”

‘No-lose situation’

Ferris was part of the Tonga coaching set up at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 and was an ‘Ikale Tahi assistant in 2014. He is upbeat ahead of the repechage tournament.

“There'll be a lot of people out there that won't believe that we have the ability to qualify for the Olympics, and that's fine,” he said. 

“We're very aware of the challenges that exist. But really, it's footy and these lads can play footy. 

“So, we'll see how we go. There might be some tired boys at the end of the weekend, but I can promise you, we will certainly give it all we can and all we have, more so for the people of Tonga back home and for the family and friends. 

“We're in a no-lose situation, we're in a win-win. We get together, play a bit of footy, have some fun, reconnect, we will be capping a handful of players for the future of Tonga rugby and so, all in all, we've got an opportunity and we're really looking forward to it.”

Tu’ifua, meanwhile, will be watching the action from Monaco via a stream at his home in Auckland, and he is under no illusion about the task facing a squad that has been brought together within a matter of weeks.

“I really can't dwell on that, we've just got to be creative, and you've got to face the reality and we'll just deal with it,” he said.

“[Qualification] would be massive really and that'd be huge not only for Tonga, but it's for the whole programme itself as well and everyone involved. 

“So, to pull something out in these difficult times, that’d massively have an impact on the whole lot, not only for Tonga, but the whole programme itself.”

READ MORE: Papua New Guinea Olympic qualification would be huge achievement for “the country as a whole” >>

 

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER BELOW FOR MORE ON WORLD RUGBY SEVENS

Trending News Show all
RWC 1995: trophy presentation
2 min read

RWC Sevens 2022

Francois Pienaar can’t wait for Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town

The former Springbok captain, who lifted the Webb Ellis Cup with South Africa at RWC 1995, is looking forward to welcoming the world's best sevens players to Cape Town in September.

RWC Sevens 2022

Fri 24 June, 2022
2 min read
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
2 min read

Olympic Games

Olympic Day: Countdown to Paris 2024 already under way

On the day that the world gets moving, World Rugby looks at the qualification pathway for the men’s and women’s sevens tournaments at the next Olympic Games.

Olympic Games

Thu 23 June, 2022
2 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Three
1 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Island Tribe to keep fans protected as the sun shines on Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Island Tribe has been appointed as an Official Supplier of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town, as momentum continues towards the biggest showcase of the sevens game on the planet.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Thu 23 June, 2022
1 min read
HSBC Rugby Sevens Hong Kong - Day 3
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Seven magnificent moments from the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens

Whet your appetite as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series prepares to return to Hong Kong for the first time in more than three years this November.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Wed 22 June, 2022
4 min read
2022 - Brazil win Sudamérica Rugby 7s
2 min read

REGIONAL FOCUS: SOUTH AMERICA

As Yaras continue to dominate in South America

In winning their 20th consecutive Sudamérica Rugby Sevens tournament, Brazil continues to top the regional tables.

REGIONAL FOCUS: SOUTH AMERICA

Thu 16 June, 2022
2 min read
Australia v Fiji 2021 PacificAus Sports Oceania Sevens
2 min read

Oceania Rugby

Oceania Rugby seeks to provide “best preparation possible” for showpiece tournaments through regional competitions

Two regional tournaments will take place in Auckland in June and July to help teams prepare for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022, the Commonwealth Games 2022 and Rugby World Cup 2021.

Oceania Rugby

Thu 9 June, 2022
2 min read
Rob Vickerman Karl Tenana
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Rob Vickerman: Olympic qualification means “every second counts” in new World Series format

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series commentator is already relishing what 2023 has to offer after a new blockbuster schedule was revealed on Tuesday, 31 May.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 2 June, 2022
3 min read
HSBC France Sevens 2022 Women's
3 min read

RWC Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: 100 days to go

As the countdown to RWC Sevens 2022 heads into the final 100 days, we give you the lowdown on the showpiece tournament to get you excited for kick-off in Cape Town.

RWC Sevens 2022

Wed 1 June, 2022
3 min read
16x9 Graphic
5 min read

Rugby Sevens

Olympic qualification at stake as bumper HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 schedule announced

A blockbuster schedule for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 has been announced today with a full roster of teams and hosts as the dynamic, high octane Olympic sport continues to grow, evolve and engage new fans around the globe

Rugby Sevens

Tue 31 May, 2022
5 min read
HSBC London Sevens 2022
2 min read

HSBC Sevens Series

“I couldn’t be prouder” – Nick Malouf on Australia’s historic win in HSBC London Sevens

One of the most exciting men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title races in recent memory will go right down to the wire when the competition concludes in Los Angeles at the end of August.

HSBC Sevens Series

Mon 30 May, 2022
2 min read
Global Partners
label.rwc7s2022.logo-alt-text
  • Rugby World Cup Limited © 2007 - 2022. All Rights Reserved.
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Cookies Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Rugby World Cup Sevens
  • World Rugby Media Zone
Website language
English
  • English
  • Français
  • Español
  • 日本語