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Latest News
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
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC Spain Sevens Seville 2022 - Women's
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe keen to drive Ireland onto Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

We spoke to the prolific Ireland star about backing up the team’s success in Seville and plotting their path to Cape Town in September.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 26 April, 2022
4 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
5 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Everything you need to know about Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Your guide to RWC Sevens 2022, which will take place in Cape Town between 9-11 September this year.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Fri 8 April, 2022
5 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
International rugby
Friday 22 October, 2021
4 min read

Five things to look out for in this weekend’s internationals

Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the USA will all take to the field on Saturday to kick-off a busy period of international rugby.
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Bledisloe Cup rivals Australia and New Zealand are among the teams in action this weekend as a packed period of international rugby gets underway.

Rugby World Cup 2019 hosts Japan welcome the Wallabies to Oita for what should be an enthralling test match while the All Blacks are in the USA for the first time in five years, to face the Eagles.

With Rugby Europe tournaments also continuing, there should be plenty of action to keep fans of international rugby occupied.

Ahead of the weekend, we take a look at five things to keep an eye on.

The boys are ready 🔥

Japan v Australia
📅 Saturday 23 October 13:45
📍Showa Denko Dome, Oita #WeAreBraveBlossoms 🌸 #JPNvAUS pic.twitter.com/w8LugLiDxt

— Japan Rugby (@JRFURugby) October 21, 2021

A new dawn for Japan?

Pieter Labuschagne will lead out Japan for the first time as permanent captain in Oita, having taken over from Michael Leitch ahead of the end-of-year internationals.

Labuschagne won each of his three appearances as interim captain – including the famous 19-12 defeat of Ireland at RWC 2019 – and he will be keen to maintain that impressive record.

Leitch, Japan’s second-most capped skipper, has been relieved of the leadership duties by coach Jamie Joseph in a bid to enhance his chances of playing at Rugby World Cup 2023.

The back-row forward has been selected on the replacements’ bench for the match against Australia, with debutant Ben Gunter handed the number six jersey he has worn with distinction for so long.

Gunter is one of two Brave Blossom players who will make their test debut against the country of their birth. His Panasonic Wild Knights team-mate Jack Cornelsen, son of former Wallaby Greg, will also start for Japan, in the second row.

On-form Wallabies hope to fire in Oita

The Wallabies return to the site of their RWC 2019 quarter-final defeat to England hoping to continue their fine recent form under coach Dave Rennie.

So far in 2021, Australia have secured a series win against France and beat both South Africa and Argentina twice to finish second in the Rugby Championship.

Quade Cooper will continue in the number 10 jersey following an impressive return to the international arena, but Rennie is without the injured Samu Kerevi or Marika Koroibete, who opted to stay at home after the birth of his third child.

Hunter Paisami, who made his debut in the 16-16 draw with New Zealand 12 months ago, has been selected in midfield while Tom Wright is preferred to Jordan Petaia on the left wing.

Australia have not lost to Japan in five previous meetings, although only two players – captain Michael Hooper and Reece Hodge – remain from the last team to face the Brave Blossoms in 2017. The Wallabies won 63-30 on that occasion as Hodge kicked 19 points.

Tourists in Washington ✌️ pic.twitter.com/wzGUuFL7k7

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) October 21, 2021

Birth of a new trophy

International rugby is home to a plethora of trophies. For example, Australia and New Zealand contest the Bledisloe Cup, England and Scotland the Calcutta Cup while Georgia and Romania compete for the Antim Cup.

But on Saturday a new trophy will come into existence when the USA take on the All Blacks at FedEx Field in Washington, DC with the inaugural 1874 Cup on the line.

Named in honour of the year in which rugby was first played in the USA – a collegiate match between McGill and Harvard University – the 1874 Cup “celebrates the long and ever-growing history the United States has with the game”.

Although the teams first met in California in 1913, Saturday’s meeting will only be the fourth time the Eagles have faced the All Blacks.

The visitors have won each of the previous three matches between the sides, winning the most recent encounter 74-6 in Chicago in 2014.

USA, New Zealand attempt to bounce back

The 1874 Cup offers both the USA and the All Blacks an immediate opportunity to regain some confidence following defeat in their previous match.

Hosts USA suffered a second-leg loss to Uruguay in their Rugby World Cup 2023 qualification play-off two weeks ago that cost them a place in Pool A in France, alongside New Zealand.

The Eagles now face a two-legged Americas 2 play-off against Chile and will hope to put a smile back on the faces of their fans with an improved performance in front of what should be a bumper crowd in Washington.

New Zealand, meanwhile, lost to a late Elton Jantjies penalty against South Africa at the beginning of the month. Although already confirmed as Rugby Championship winners prior to defeat to the world champions, the All Blacks will be keen to get back to winning ways.

Many of the visiting squad will also want to put in a good performance to honour the memory of Sean Wainui, who died when his car hit a tree on Monday. Codie Taylor broke down on Tuesday when discussing how Wainui’s death had impacted on the players, many of whom were team-mates of the Maori All Blacks and former Crusaders and Chiefs player.

Rugby Europe Trophy continues

The Rugby Europe Trophy 2021-22 continues on Saturday when Ukraine visit Lithuania.

Ukraine narrowly lost their opening match of the campaign, 27-24 against Poland at the Yunist Stadium in Lviv two weekends ago.

As they attempt to get their challenge back on track, they will not be keen to run into Donatas Vilimavicius in Siauliai.

On their previous visit to Lithuania, Ukraine outscored their hosts two tries to one, but it was Vilimavicius’ boot that proved decisive. The fly-half kicked 17 points to help secure a 22-12 victory for his country.

READ MORE: Uruguay captain Vilaseca on nation’s historic Rugby World Cup 2023 qualification >>

Trending News Show all
HSBC Canada Sevens 2022
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Marcos Moneta on his rapid rise and historic sevens season for Argentina

The Los Pumas Sevens speedster has had a year to remember by scooping up individual and team accolades, and he tells World Rugby about the journey so far and how football influenced his playing style.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 26 May, 2022
3 min read
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Rugby sevens

London welcomes the stars of rugby sevens

A huge crowd will welcome all 16 core teams for the penultimate round of the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series at Twickenham Stadium on 28-29 May with all to play for in the race for the 2022 Series title

Rugby sevens

Wed 25 May, 2022
3 min read
Alex Davis England Sevens
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – London

England sevens skipper Davis: “Let’s embrace and enjoy playing at home”

Ahead of this weekend’s action in Twickenham, captain Alex Davis reveals what it’s like to step out in front of a home crowd in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – London

Tue 24 May, 2022
3 min read
20220522_150
7 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – Toulouse

Fiji and New Zealand the winners after a brilliant HSBC France Sevens

Ireland reach their first ever men’s final as the women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series comes to an end for 2022 with Australia worthy winners following an outstanding season. Argentina hold a two-point lead over South Africa in the men's Series standings

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – Toulouse

Sun 22 May, 2022
7 min read
HSBC France Sevens 2022 Men's
8 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – Toulouse

Big names fall on dramatic day of upsets at HSBC France Sevens in Toulouse

Argentina and Australia were knocked out in the men’s quarter-finals, while Series leaders South Africa and heavyweights New Zealand failed to even make the knockout stages. Australia and New Zealand’s women impressed, while Fiji reached the final four in both events.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series – Toulouse

Sat 21 May, 2022
8 min read
HSBC France Sevens 2022 Men's
6 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series - Toulouse

Men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series favourites suffer shock defeats on opening day in Toulouse as women’s champions Australia continue fine form

South Africa, Australia and Argentina were all beaten on the opening day of the HSBC France Sevens men’s event, while New Zealand and Australia caught the eye with some big wins in the women’s competition

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series - Toulouse

Fri 20 May, 2022
6 min read
Rikki Swannell becomes first females to commentate on men's series
5 min read

Feature

Behind the microphone: Groundbreaker Rikki Swannell

World Rugby talks to the New Zealander about becoming the first female lead commentator on the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series and her life in sports broadcasting.

Feature

Fri 20 May, 2022
5 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
Serevi Coaching Roadshow - HSBC Event
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Fiji are in Toulouse to win: “There is still room for improvement,” says Gollings

Gold and silver medals in their last two HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series outings have Fiji feeling good ahead of French tournament

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 19 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC France Sevens 2022
4 min read

Rugby Sevens

Captains ready for lift off at HSBC France Sevens

Toulouse welcomes a full line-up of 16 men’s and 12 women’s teams for the first time in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series on 20-22 May

Rugby Sevens

Wed 18 May, 2022
4 min read
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