Kiwis pull out of World Series again

NEWS: World Rugby has confirmed that the New Zealand Sevens team will no longer compete in the Spain legs of the World Series.

The Government announcement late last month to delay opening the New Zealand border meant the teams would not have been able to re-enter the country after playing.

“It’s frustrating not being able to travel at the moment, but that is out of our control,” New Zealand Sevens coach Clark Laidlaw said.

“What we can control is what we do here each day.

“The players have come back in great spirits and now it’s time to crack on.

“We’ll be ready for whenever the borders open and we can travel,” Laidlaw added.

New Zealand Rugby is investigating domestic competition options for the team while the borders remain closed.

🚨TEAM UPDATE | Unfortunately due to Covid border restrictions both the @AllBlacks7s and @BlackFerns 7s have had to withdraw from the Malaga and Seville stages of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. Hopefully we’ll see you at the next, @WorldRugby7s! pic.twitter.com/wIYLvgyrQE

— All Blacks Sevens (@AllBlacks7s) January 13, 2022

* Meanwhile, attention turns to Spain, where Malaga will host the next leg of the Sevens World Series.

Taking place from January 21 to 23, Spain prepares to make its debut as a host nation at Estadio Cuidad de Malaga.

The men’s competition will commence with Pool D’s Kenya and Canada getting things underway. Completing the line-up in Pool D is France and Wales.

Pool A will feature Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallists, Fiji, Dubai champions South Africa, England and Scotland.

Pool B includes Germany, Australia, Ireland and Japan while hosts Spain will take on the USA, Samoa and Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallists Argentina in Pool C.

Completing the pool line-up is Kenya, Wales, France and Canada who make up Pool D.