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It’s been over two years since New Zealand, the former superpowers of rugby sevens, participated in a World Series competition.
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With the global pandemic making travel nigh impossible for Kiwis, the All Blacks Sevens side has remained noticeably absent from the circuit since securing first place at the end of the 2019-2020 event. That victory delivered their first title in six years after being crowned champions at 12 of the first 15 events since the World Series was conceived back in 1999.
In New Zealand’s absence, South Africa have reigned supreme.
The Blitzbokke were undefeated in the two tournaments that made up the 2021 series while they’re also yet to drop a match in the current circuit, which kicked off late last year with four events in Dubai and Spain.
After their two-year absence from the game, however, the All Blacks Sevens will make their long-awaited reappearance this weekend when the Singapore Sevens get underway on 9 April – which means South Africa might finally have a challenge on their hands.
#Singapore7s is this weekend! ? ??#HSBC7s pic.twitter.com/uko3BhJYko
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) April 4, 2022
Samoa, themselves a former superpower of the contracted game, will also make their first appearance since the 2019-2020 competition while Fiji will be back on deck after missing the last two events, as well as last year’s circuit in its entirety.
The additions of NZ, Samoa and Fiji means the Singapore Sevens will, in effect, be the first World Series event that actually lives up to its name since the global pandemic first reared its head.
While it would be impossible to undermine the impressive performances of the Blitzbokke in the long-running absence of their fiercest rivals, this weekend’s tournament now gives South Africa the opportunity to prove that their title last year was no fluke.
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New Zealand and Fiji, meanwhile, will be out to remind the world that the Blitzbokke were just keeping their seats warm.
While form and performance can fluctuate from week to week and competition to competition, it’s worth looking back at last year’s re-scheduled Olympics Games to get a feel for how the three top sides in the world might fair in Singapore.
Although South Africa topped their pool at the event, they were hounded out of the tournament in the quarter-finals by Argentina, while New Zealand and Fiji went on to duke it out in the final. Fiji eventually emerged victorious, claiming a 27-12 victory as well as a gold medal.
The Olympics always reigns supreme, of course, but the Singapore Sevens now presents the opportunity for New Zealand to bounce back from that heart-breaking loss in Tokyo and reassert their place in the world.
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Of course, Fiji and South Africa aren’t going to go down without a fight.
It would also be unfair to rule Argentina out of the equation, who beat the Blitzbokke in Japan but haven’t had any luck since.
All four nations have been separated into different pools for the Singapore Sevens but will invariably meet during the knockout stages of the competition.
For the nation of Singapore, the tournament will also be a rebirth of sorts with the Asian metropolis missing out on hosting opportunities last year. In fact, the Singapore Sevens will be the first major event hosted in the country after Singapore announced an ease on restrictions, with food and drinks (including alcohol) available on site.
Dubbed the ‘Family Sevens’, there will also be plenty of action taking place off the field in Singapore with bouncy castles and movie screenings on hand to keep the slightly less rugby-obsessed fans entertained throughout the two-day event while local band Jive Talkin’ and Zouk DJ Jeremy Boon will also be performing.
The Singapore Sevens are set to run from April 9th to April 10th, with tickets selling fast. Fans who are eager to catch the first sight of the New Zealand national side at a World Series event since 2020 – and see if they can wrestle the crown back off South Africa’s Blitzbokke should visit http://www.singapore7s.com.sg/tickets
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
23 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
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