Preview: Road to Rio
The Gold Coast Sevens will not only be the first tournament in the Sevens World Series but also serves as the beginning of the qualification process for Sevens’ debut at the Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil in 2016.
This is the first of nine events that makes up the Sevens World Series with the top four teams in the standings securing a place at Rio 2016. A further six places will be determined by regional qualifiers in 2015, with a further place available through a play-off event to close the process. Brazil automatically qualify as hosts.
International Rugby Board Chairman Bernard Lapasset has described the beginning of as an historic moment for the sport.
"The beginning of the global qualification process represents an historic milestone for the Rugby family as we look forward to Sevens’ Olympic Games debut.
"The world’s top Sevens players are honoured and excited to have the opportunity to make history and become the first men and women in 92 years to represent Rugby at an Olympic Games.
"Such excitement will be very evident in the Gold Coast this weekend as the road to Rio kicks off in earnest with the first of round of what promises to be a very competitive and compelling series," he said
Rugby will return to the Olympic stage after a break of 92 years when 12 teams will compete in each of the men’s and women’s Sevens events. As excitement builds within the global Rugby family, the qualification process for the world's top male teams will begin at the Gold Coast in Australia.
Meanwhile, preparations for Sevens’ Olympic Games debut are on track. The IRB, in partnership with the Brazilian Rugby Federation, continues to drive sustainable participation growth in Brazil. In the last year more than 9,000 boys and girls have been introduced to the sport through a variety of development initiatives.
"We do not get a second chance to make a first impression and working in partnership with Rio 2016 and the IOC we are focused on ensuring a memorable and successful Olympic debut for Rugby Sevens, which is great for the Games, Brazil and Rugby.
"We are looking forward to welcoming Olympic sports fans to a vibrant and exciting arena where they can experience the dynamic athleticism of our Rugby Sevens Olympians in a unique festival atmosphere," he added.
Pools:
Pool A: New Zealand, Samoa, France, Japan
Pool B: South Africa, Kenya, Wales, American Samoa
Pool C: Fiji, Australia, Scotland, Portugal
Pool D: England, Canada, Argentina, USA
Day One schedule – Saturday, October 11:
(Kick-off is local time – GMT minus 10 hours)
Match 1: England v Argentina – 9.50
Match 2: Canada v United States – 10.12
Match 3: New Zealand v France – 10.34
Match 4: Samoa v Japan – 10.56
Match 5: South Africa v Wales – 11.18
Match 6: Kenya v American Samoa – 11.40
Match 7: Fiji v Scotland – 12.02
Match 8: Australia v Portugal – 12.24
Match 9: England v United States – 12.51
Match 10: Canada v Argentina – 13.13
Match 11: New Zealand v Japan – 13.35
Match 12: Samoa v France – 13.57
Match 13: South Africa v American Samoa – 14.39
Match 14: Kenya v Wales – 15.01
Match 15: Fiji v Portugal – 15.23
Match 16: Australia v Scotland – 15.45
Match 17: Argentina v United States – 16.07
Match 18: England v Canada – 16.29
Match 19: France v Japan – 17.11
Match 20: New Zealand v Samoa – 17.33
Match 21: Wales v American Samoa – 17.55
Match 22: South Africa v Kenya – 18.17
Match 23: Scotland v Portugal – 18.39
Match 24: Fiji v Australia – 19.01
Source: IRB
