truebluefan

feb 9, 10.

Should be two days of outstanding Rugby!

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United States coach Al Caravelli has added three new faces to his team for the next two rounds of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series - in Wellington (New Zealand) and San Diego (US) - next month.

The squad was named after a week-long training camp in San Diego.

Caravelli said he was looking to build on the success from the last IRB Sevens event in George, where they lost 14-15 to Kenya in the Plate Final.

Two of the three newcomers - Matt Hawkins, a punishing forward from the OMBAC in San Diego, and Troy Hall, a fast and creative midfielder from White Plains, New York - will be making their first appearance on the IRB Sevens circuit.

The third addition is a welcomed one, as Jason Pye, of Park City Utah, makes his return to the team following his recovery from last year's season-ending injury.

"Both Matt and Troy will be great additions to the team," Caravelli said.

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New Zealand Sevens coach Gordon Tietjens on Friday named four new faces in his 17-man national squad for the 2008 season.

Kendrick Lynn (25) of Southland, Ben Nowell (22) of Canterbury, Chad Tuoro (26) of Counties Manukau and 19-year-old winger Nafi Tuitavake of North Harbour will all feature in the successful Sevens coach's plans for the remainder of the 2007/08 International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series, which moves to Wellington next month.

Tietjens said all four players had stood out at the Charity Rugby Sevens tournament in Queenstown ealier this month, and at the national trial last week.

"Each one brings something special to the national team and that is exciting," Tietjens said in a statement on Friday.

"Kendrick Lynn is a good footballer blessed with an array of skills and I am sure that he will put these to effective use in the Sevens game.

"Ben Nowell is a workhorse and has showed his talent in the fifteens game. Chad Tuoro is an experienced player who had an impressive national tournament for his province and Nafi Tuitavake is still young but he is skilful and has a lot of Sevens potential," added the New Zealand Sevens coach.

In addition to the four newcomers, Tietjens has also named exciting New Zealand age grade representatives Victor Vito of Wellington and Israel Dagg of Hawke's Bay in his squad for 2008.

Both players made their New Zealand Sevens debut during the IRB Sevens Series tournaments in Dubai and George last year.

The remainder of the squad is made up of players who played for New Zealand during the team's successful 2006/2007 IRB Sevens Series campaign, including the 2007 IRB Sevens Player of the Year Afeleke Pelenise and 2007 New Zealand Sevens Player of the Year DJ Forbes.

"This is a good squad, the competition for places is healthy and the players will make it difficult for me to select the team for the NZ Sevens in Wellington next week," added Tietjens.

After the first two tournaments, New Zealand leads the IRB Sevens Series standings on 40 points, ahead of Fiji (32 points) and South Africa (24 points).

New Zealand: Tomasi Cama, Edwin Cocker, Israel Dagg, DJ Forbes, Nigel Hunt, Tafai Ioasa, Solomon King, Zar Lawrence, Kendrick Lynn, Ben Nowell, Afeleke Pelenise, Lote Raikabula, Rene Ranger, Chad Tuoro, Nafi Tuitavake, Victor Vito, Steven Yates

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The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) has taken its first step towards professionalism after the announcement that eight of their Sevens players will be contracted by the union to compete in the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens World Series.

Kenya are on track to achieving their goal of reaching the Cup quarter-finals in all eight tournaments on the IRB circuit this season, but reaching any level of consistency throughout a season has proved difficult in the past as players struggled with other commitments.

The team's sponsorship deal with Virgin Atlantic Airways made the contracts possible, ensuring that although the players will still represent their clubs and the country's 15-a-side team, the national Sevens team will take priority.

"We have identified eight players to form the core team and they will be contracted according to their performance," Sasha Mutai, the Kenya RFU director in charge of Sevens, told the IRB's official website.

"One of the biggest problems we have had is consistency, which can only be attained if we have a core squad."

Kenya, who announced their squad for the next two tournaments in the IRB Sevens World Series on Thursday, have made four changes to their 12-man squad - after co-captain Innocent Simiyu, Wilson Opondo and Charles Kanyi became unavailable due to work commitments.

Leon Adongo, Biko Adema and Kenya Sevens newcomer Philip Motori have been drafted into the squad as their replacements.

In other changes Andrew Amonde steps up from the non-travelling reserves for Dubai and George to replace Arnold Odera, while Dennis Mwanja will act as vice-captain to Humphrey Kayange in the absence of Simiyu.

"It has been a selection headache for the technical bench and whatever decision we made was a very close call. The players put in a lot of effort and the sessions have been intense, which gives you a clue about how eager the players are to get the nod," assistant coach Felix Ochieng said.

Kenya face a tough pool at the New Zealand leg in Wellington - with South Africa, Australia and France their Pool C opponents.

A week later, at the USA Sevens in San Diego, they will face Argentina, Canada and Chile in their pool matches.

"We may finish top or last," captain Kayange said of their Wellington pool.

"This will not be a walk in the park, but what we need is the support of Kenyans so that we can take a positive message out there and the world may look at Kenya beyond the current unrest."

Kenya: Humphrey Kayange (captain), Collins Injera, Victor Odour, Horace Otieno, Edwin Shimenga, Peter Ocholla, Naftaly Bondo, Dennis Mwanja, Andrew Amonde, Biko Adema, Leon Adongo, Philip Moturi.

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Fiji Sevens coach Josateki Savou's side for next month's Wellington and San Diego tournaments in the IRB World Sevens Series will feature three new faces.

Tailevu speedster Malakai Bakaniceva and Nadi pair Taniela Rawaqa and Isei Lewaqai will all be making their debuts for the Fiji Sevens side when the Islanders kick off their Wellington campaign.

Savou brought the trio into the team after watching some sizzling action at the National Sevens on Saturday at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

Rawaqa played Test rugby in 2007 for the Flying Fijians and was a non-travelling reserve for the Dubai and George Sevens last month. Lewaqai had initially been selected for the Dubai squad but contracted chicken pox and had to withdraw.

The only player from the December squad that wasn't considered was Vereniki Goneva, who has picked up a professional contract to play in the 15-man game overseas.

Fiji Sevens squad for Wellington and San Diego:

Forwards: Etonia Naba (captain, Nadroga), Isei Lewaqai (Nadi), Viliame Maya (Suva), Iliesa Ratuva (Nadroga), Epeli Vuniwaqa (Tavua)
Backs: Neumi Nanuku (vice captain, Nadroga), Malakai Bakaniceva (Tailevu), Setefano Cakau (Suva), Tomasi Mawi (Suva), Akuila Nawerecagi (Suva), Taniela Rawaqa (Nadi), Emosi Vucago (Nadroga)
Non-travelling replacements: Sakenaca Aca (Tailevu), Rupeni Nasiga (Nadroga), Saimoni Nuku (Nadi).

After Saturday's National Sevens, the Fiji Sevens selectors also named 15 players that will later join the above squad in preparing for the Hong Kong and Adelaide legs of the IRB World Sevens Series in March and April respectively.

Extended Fiji Sevens squad: Ovini Burekalou (Tavua), Gabriel Daunivucu (Suva), Isake Katonibau (Northland), Timoci Matanavou (Ra), Taniela Naiceru (Yasawa), Timoci Naqusa (Tailevu), Ratunaisa Narukutabua (Nadroga), Napolioni Naulia (Suva), Iliavi Satala (Suva), Alfred Smith (Lautoka), Mesulame Soga (Tavua), Pio Tuwai (Ba), Mosese Vatunitu (Rewa), Epeli Vuicuvu (Nadroga), Marika Vunibaka (Suva).

In addition, three overseas-based players were selected as part of the enlarged squad, while three players from Vanua Levu who were unable to play in the National Sevens have been included for development purposes

Overseas-based players: William Ryder (Toyota, Japan), Semisi Naevo (NEC, Japan), Nasoni Roko (Hino, Japan).

Development players: Rafaele Suvianavanua (Cakaudrove East), Aleposo Bueta (Cakaudrove East), Lepani Tukavesi (Cakaudrove East)

"The National Sevens threw up some great talent for all of us to see," coach Jo Savou said.

"With regards to the enlarged training squad for Hong Kong, we have tried to cast our net as far as possible and bring in the players that have shown outstanding potential.

"I also attended the Kanakana Sevens in Vanua Levu on Thursday and Friday and have asked the three players from Cakaudrove East to join us."

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Edinburgh scrum-half Greig Laidlaw and Haddington flank Neil Rodger have been named for the first time in the Scotland Sevens squad for the next two legs on the IRB World Sevens Series.

Laidlaw, nephew of the former Scotland and British & Irish Lions scrum-half, Roy, and Rodger, a graduate from last year's Scotland Under-18 team, are named in the 12-man squad to compete in the tournaments in Wellington, New Zealand, and San Diego, United States, next month.

Six of the squad - Scott Forrest, Richie Vernon, Scott Newlands, Chris Fusaro, James Thompson and Andrew Dymock - were on duty as Scotland maintained their proud record of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Cup competition in the opening legs of the IRB World Series in Dubai and George last month. Under the direction of coach Stephen Gemmell, Scotland have qualified for seven successive Cup quarter-finals.

Gemmell has enlisted experience in the shape of Glasgow Warriors backs Mike Adamson and Colin Shaw, while Ali Warnock and Jamie Hunter also return to the international sevens scene.

Of those who featured in Dubai and George, Grant Anderson is injured, Ruaridh Jackson, Stephen McColl and Chris Kinloch all look set to feature with the national Under-20 team and Colin Gregor and Calum Forrester are likely to be required by Glasgow Warriors.

Scotland, who have defeated South Africa and Australia during the last three IRB tournaments and who posted their highest finish last season in San Diego (sixth), are looking to build on the momentum they've established.

"We are a top eight team and want to push on from that," said Gemmell. "The group of players we've selected are certainly capable of doing that."

In Wellington, Scotland have been drawn in a pool with Argentina, USA and Tonga in Wellington( February 1 and 2), and face New Zealand, Wales and France in San Diego ((February 9 and 10).

Scotland Sevens squad for Wellington and San Diego: Scott Forrest (Ayr, captain), Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Newlands (Edinburgh), Chris Fusaro (Heriot's), Neil Rodger (Haddington), Colin Shaw (Glasgow Warriors), Jamie Hunter (Glasgow Hawks), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh), Mike Adamson (Glasgow Warriors), James Thompson (Heriot's), Ali Warnock (Edinburgh), Andrew Dymock (Dundee HSFP).

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The first team to qualify for the Rugby World Cup (RWC) Sevens will be determined when hosts Uruguay battle it out with their South American counterparts Paraguay, Chile, Brazil, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela for top honours this weekend.

Argentina, although they have already qualified for the Dubai showpiece, will also send a team to this weekend's qualifying tournament.

The other eight teams that have already guaranteed places for RWC Sevens in Dubai include: Fiji, New Zealand, England, Australia, France, Scotland, South Africa (who all qualified for the quarter-finals in the 2005 edition of the tournament in Hong Kong) and Host Union the Arabian Gulf, while a further 15 places will be filled via the regional qualifier structures.

Three qualifiers will come from Africa, two from North America, one from South America, two from Asia, five from Europe and two from Oceania. This structure will guarantee the presence of some teams not regularly seen on the IRB Sevens World Series circuit.

RWC Sevens 2009 will be the first tournament to incorporate a women's competition and all 16 women's teams will be confirmed through the regional qualifier process. Two qualifiers for the women's section will come from Africa, two from North America, one from South America, three from Asia, six from Europe and two from Oceania.

"For the women's game the start of the regional qualifying process is an exciting development. In total 83 Unions will participate in tournaments held across all six regions highlighting Rugby Sevens's truly global appeal and the growing stature of the women's game," said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

"These regional qualifying Tournaments are a very exciting prospect, kick-starting an important year for Rugby Sevens. Coupled with the popular IRB Sevens World Series, the Tournaments will ensure that an unprecedented amount of elite level Rugby Sevens is played over the next 12 months," added Lapasset.

Regional Qualifying tournaments:

June 14/15: European qualifier (women), Limoges
July 12/13: European qualifier (men), Hanover
October 26/27: North American qualifier (men and women), Bahamas

*Asian qualifier (men and women)
*African qualifier (men and women)
*Oceania qualifier (men and women)

*Dates TBC