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Latest News
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
Dubai Emirates Airline Rugby Sevens 2021 - Men's
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Perfection, not silverware, the focus for South Africa and Selvyn Davids

We caught up with the Blitzboks star, who has helped guide his side to the top of the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings as the countdown continues to their home Rugby World Cup Sevens.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 5 April, 2022
3 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
Monday 14 February, 2022
3 min read

Jamaican rugby speedster Matthew Wekpe chasing Winter Olympic dream

We caught up with the Jamaica sevens and 15s international, who is currently in Beijing chasing bobsleigh glory at the Winter Olympic Games.
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Jamaica international Matthew Wekpe has taken a sabbatical from rugby to chase an unlikely Olympic dream in Beijing.

Wekpe, who has represented the Crocs in both sevens and 15s under his mother’s surname Wilson, is part of the first Jamaican four-man bobsleigh team to qualify for the Winter Olympic Games since 1998.

The Caribbean nation were the 24th and final four-man team to claim their place at this month’s Games, a remarkable achievement for a squad that first raced together in September.

Brakeman Wekpe, in fact, had never been on ice let alone in a bobsleigh when an SOS was put out to UK-based Jamaican rugby players less than 17 months ago.

Shanwayne Stephens, who pilots both the two and four-man teams, lives in Peterborough and unable to train with his Jamaica-based brakeman due to the COVID-19 pandemic, asked the Crocs sevens team manager whether any of his players would be willing to help.

“I was like, ‘Hey, why not? I'll give it a go’,” Wekpe told World Rugby.

“We had a little trial where a few of us tried out and after that I was in the team and three or four weeks later, I'm literally in a World Cup race. You know, I'd never seen a bobsleigh before!”

“It’s a big high”

Wekpe admits it was “crazy” to stand at the top of a World Cup bobsleigh run for the first time, but he soon realised he had found a sport he adored.

Rugby's very own cool runner 🆒🇯🇲

Best of luck to @Jamaica_Rugby's Matthew Wekpe, who is representing his country at bobsleigh in Beijing#WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/IXFX61neYN

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) February 8, 2022

“The first time I went down, it wasn't too bad,” he added.

“It was the second time around, [when] I knew what to expect. I was more nervous, but I knew after that second time, the adrenaline rush, I loved it.

“It's an amazing experience, it's a big high.”

It seems as well that his background in rugby has helped Wekpe cope with the demands of such a high-octane sport.

“I'm quite quick and I think taking the knocks and the bangs in rugby definitely helps you being in the sled because you do take knocks and even crashes,” he said.

“You know, I've been in some crashes and it's not nice. But I think having the body and the conditioning to take those hits and be able to get back up and go again has definitely helped.”

Writing their own story

Jamaica travelled to China with their biggest ever Olympic bobsleigh team, having qualified for the two-man and women’s monobob – in which Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian finished 19th – as well as the four-man.

It is their return in the four-man event that has garnered most attention, however, as it brings back memories of their appearance at the Calgary Winter Olympics in 1988, which inspired the film ‘Cool Runnings’.

Wekpe will carry a plastic egg with him during Jamaica’s runs in Beijing in a nod to the Disney movie’s fictional brakeman, Sanka Coffie.

But the current brakeman and his team-mates are determined to write their own story when the four-man event gets underway on Wednesday.

Wekpe describes the squad as “one big family” and asked what binds them together, he said: “The fact that we all wanted that end goal, we wanted to make history.

“We wanted a lasting legacy to say that we're not just ‘Cool Runnings’, you know, we're not just that movie. We're a team that is there to compete and we're there to be serious.

“I think we all kind of came together and we didn't really know each other that well, but we all had that end goal.

“And I think, you know, it's part of the culture as well. We don't have much as a nation, but we work together when we need to, and that's definitely helped.”

On his and the team’s hopes for this week’s event, Wekpe added: “No team works hard to get to the Games and doesn't push for the gold and we'd love the gold.

“But if we're not going to get the gold, we'd love a top 10. But ultimately we want to leave a lasting legacy and the best position that Jamaica's ever finished in a four-man event is 14th and if we can equal that or better that then that would be a massive achievement for us.”

Sevens return?

Wekpe’s Olympic commitments ensured that he was not part of the Jamaica squad that competed in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series last month.

He was able to watch their matches in Malaga and Seville, though, and remains committed to winning his place back for the Commonwealth Games 2022 and potentially, Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022.

“I spoke to the coaches and some of the other players and I said, ‘Getting to the Olympics has always been a dream and that's what I was going to push for, and it happened,” Wekpe added.

“So, I will finish the Games and I'll take three weeks off, but I will be coming for the Commonwealth Games for sure.

“That is my aim to get into that team and represent Jamaica again this year – and hopefully in a World Cup [too]!”

READ MORE: Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 tickets go on sale >>

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Now that the line-ups are complete in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, we take a look at who has won gold in the past and the sides competing to add their names to the roll call of honour in July.

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The Madagascar women's sevens team has achieved their historic dream of qualifying for a Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament for the first time. At the heart of this achievement lies a lot of hard work, determination and discipline.

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Wed 11 May, 2022
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HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
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HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Seven women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series players to watch in Toulouse

Following an exciting weekend in Langford we look at seven women’s stars who could light up Toulouse between 20-22 May.

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Thu 5 May, 2022
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HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
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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.

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Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
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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 Canada Women's Sevens 2022
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HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia clinch overall 2022 series title while late Lily Dick try gives them Cup win in Langford

Hosts Canada took fifth place while Ireland flyer Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe bagged 12 tries as they won bronze in the HSBC Canada Sevens in Langford.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Mon 2 May, 2022
7 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
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HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia edge towards HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series glory in Langford as New Zealand provide thrills on return

Australia are closing in on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title after a perfect start to the penultimate event of the season in Canada, while the Black Ferns came back with a bang at the Starlight Stadium.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Sun 1 May, 2022
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HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
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HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Captains on top of the world ahead of the HSBC Canada Women's Sevens in Langford

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to the home of Rugby Canada after a 1,083 day break as Australia look to clinch their first Series title since to 2018.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Fri 29 April, 2022
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Santiago Gómez Cora
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Santiago Gómez Cora: “You have to be patient, trust a lot and do the hard work”

World Rugby caught up with Los Pumas Sevens coach about Argentina’s recent win in the HSBC Canada Sevens and what it means to him going forward.

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Thu 28 April, 2022
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HSBC Sevens Series

Series title within Australia’s reach as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to Langford

We spoke to Australia co-captain Charlotte Caslick about her team's mindset heading into this weekend's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series stop in Langford knowing they can wrap up the series title.

HSBC Sevens Series

Wed 27 April, 2022
3 min read
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