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Bermuda World Tens the launchpad for 2021 series that hopes to become T20 of rugby
Eight privately owned franchise teams will take part in next month’s World Tens Series, a new version of ten-a-side rugby that has plans to expand to 16 teams across twelve locations in 2021 following completion of the inaugural three-week series in Bermuda on November 7.
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Five of the eight teams have already been confirmed, include Ohio Aviators (Columbus), Asia Pacific Dragons (Singapore), SX10 (Cape Town) London Royals and Miami Sun, with the latter three brands created purely for this concept.
Tonga head coach Toutai Kefu was recently unveiled as boss of Asia Pacific Dragons, with South African 7s legend Frankie Horne in charge of the SX10 franchise. On the pitch, players who will be involved include 7s stars Osea Kolinisau, Collins Injera, Cecil Afrika, Tom Mitchell and Willy Ambaka and XV players Nafi Tuitavake and Bryce Campbell who have both recently appeared in England’s Gallagher Premiership.
These stars of the game will mix it up with young, hungry individuals, with 10 contracts being granted to players at the IMG academy through the rugby combines.
World Tens Series management have reportedly worked closely with the Bermuda Government to follow the stringent protocols regarding Covid-19, with teams staying in their own resort where they will be in their own bubble throughout their time on the island.
Barbados, @maroitoje? ?
Bermuda next month? ?
The 2020 World Tens Series is coming. #Bermuda2020 https://t.co/2fswgbz62d
— World Tens Series (@WorldTens) September 18, 2020
Bermuda World Tens Series COO Paul Holmes said: “We are hugely excited about launching the World Tens Series in Bermuda next month as a culmination of a lot of hard work finally gets realised. Lots has gone on behind the scenes to get us to this point and I would like to thank the five franchises we have announced for their total commitment to this series.
“I would also like to recognise the support of the Bermuda Government in allowing us to bring this historic event to the island, during these difficult times we face owing to Covid-19. There is an opportunity with the Tens Series to grow our game and bring new audiences to rugby. The rules have been designed with the audience at the forefront of our thinking, so matches can be exciting and competitive in equal measure.
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“The Tens format can become for rugby what T20 has done for cricket where Test Match players can star in a shortened version of the game. Becoming the IPL of rugby is the ultimate goal and we look forward to October 24 and starting the World Tens Series journey.”
* Players who will feature include Tom Mitchell, Alex Davis, Tom Bowen, Cecil Afrika, Craig Hunt, Collins Injera, Willy Ambaka, Oscar Ouma, Andrew Amonde, Jacques Du Toit, JT Jackson, Christian Ambadiang, Tienje Burger, Harry McNulty, JP Du Plessis, Bryce Campbell, Dylan Fawsitt, Chris Baumann, JP Eloff, Shalom Suniula, Reikert Hattingh, Ben Cima, Peter Tiberio, Will Magie, Kyle Baillie, Eric Howard, Osea Kolinisau, Tomasi Alasio, Nafi Tuitavake, Chris Eves, Api Naikatini, Kurt Morath.
* Tournament rules are:
The eight teams will be drawn into two groups of four with a round-robin format on day one and a quarter-final, semi-final and the final taking place on day two. The series final will be played on 7 November which will allow for more drama and excitement to unfold;
Each team is made up of a squad of 20 players with match squads of 16. Matches are 10 minutes each half with two minutes for half time and unlimited rolling substitutes throughout the match;
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Conversion jeopardy with the conversion after the try ensures that the conversion is now worth between one and five points depending on which zone the kicker selects to kick from;
No match will be a draw with the excitement of a match play shoot-out if the game is all tied up after 20 minutes.
Got that Friday feeling? We have after naming five out of our eight teams for the 2020 World Tens Series!
?? Ohio Aviators
? SX10
? Asia Pacific Dragons
? London Royals
? Miami SunMore: https://t.co/J3aoY1QQSg #Bermuda2020 #NextLevelRugby pic.twitter.com/TIRbbUv0r7
— World Tens Series (@WorldTens) September 18, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
36 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
36 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
36 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
36 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
36 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
36 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
36 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
36 Go to comments