Following strong performances in Cape Town, the All Blacks Sevens will be looking to go one better, while the Black Ferns Sevens are hoping to cap off the HSBC New Zealand Sevens on a high in what will be their final appearance on the HSBC World Sevens Series circuit at home.
All Blacks Sevens team is:
2 Brady Rush
4 Akuila Rokolisoa
5 Dylan Collier
6 Ngarohi McGarvey-Black
7 Sam Dickson (C)
9 Amanaki Nicole
11 Joe Webber
12 Leroy Carter
13 Moses Leo
21 Che Clark
27 Sione Molia
44 Roderick Solo
64 Regan Ware
Unavailable for selection: Andrew Knewstubb, Kitiona Vai, Scott Curry, Tim Mikkelson, Tone Ng Shiu (injury), Tepaea Cook-Savage (illness)
Regan Ware and Joe Webber will celebrate their 50th tournament at home in Hamilton
The All Blacks Sevens will not only be looking to round out the HSBC New Zealand Sevens on top, but fittingly celebrate Regan Ware and Joe Webber’s 50th tournament in the black jersey.
All Blacks Sevens Head Coach Clark Laidlaw said it has been a special week. You feel the buzz in the build up to the weekend and the players are looking forward to embracing the atmosphere this weekend.
“This year’s tournament is extra special, with it being the last big dance in front of a boisterous home crowd. ”
"Playing at home, you can't beat it! The atmosphere, the support from our fans and whānau, is indescribable. It is our turn now to take the field and show our appreciation for their support this weekend, but also thank them for their support for the past 22 years."
"This week we have prepared with a real energy, and the players are eager to take the field and play to their potential with the crowd behind us, we look forward to embracing that,” added Laidlaw.
Laidlaw congratulated Ware and Webber on bringing up their milestone.
“Joey and Regan are world class, their dedication to this game is outstanding. To bring up 50 tournaments and to do it at home is a special moment for them both and an opportunity to have their whānau their to celebrate with them.”
Black Ferns Sevens team is:
3 Stacey Fluhler
4 Niall Guthrie
6 Michaela Blyde
7 Tyla Nathan-Wong
10 Theresa Fitzpatrick
11 Portia Woodman-Wickliffe
12 Alena Saili
13 Jazmin Felix-Hotham
22 Shiray Kaka
34 Sarah Hirini (C)
77 Risi Pouri-Lane
83 Jorja Miller
99 Tenika Willison
Unavailable for selection: Kelly Brazier, Mahina Paul (injury).
Rugby World Cup Black Ferns champions, Sarah Hirini, Stacey Fluhler, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Theresa Fitzpattrick return this weekend to the sevens format. Following their success at the 2021 Rugby World Cup, played in 2022 the Black Ferns stars are eager to return to the HSBC Sevens circuit.
Black Ferns Head Coach Cory Sweeney said having the Black Ferns players return, is like getting your whānau back together again.
“It is great having the Black Ferns girls back in the mix, they bring plenty to the team, not just on the field but off the field, our little whānau is once again complete.”
“The internal competition in the squad is intense and has lifted another level, with the return of the Black Ferns. The younger girls have had the opportunity to showcase their craft and they too are eager to don the black jersey, so the internal competition in the squad has been intense.”
The Black Ferns Sevens will be eager to impress in Hamilton where they will be playing in front of a home crowd for the second and final time in a HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series event, following 2020’s tournament.
“The preparation for this weekend has been brilliant. There is nothing better playing at home in front of a passionate and vocal crowd, filled of our fans and families. We are eager to take the field and put on a display of entertaining sevens rugby, New Zealanders can be proud of,” finished Sweeney.
Hamilton Sevens Draw (dates/times listed in NZDT)
Saturday 21 January
10.16am All Blacks Sevens v Tonga
11.44am Black Ferns Sevens v Papua New Guinea
2.06pm All Blacks Sevens v Australia
3.12pm Black Ferns Sevens v Fiji
7.35pm All Blacks Sevens v Great Britain
8.03pm Black Ferns Sevens v Great Britain
Sunday 22 January
Play-offs
For all tournament information and tickets, please visit www.sevens.co.nz
All games with be covered live by Official Partner Sky Sport and streamed on Sky Sport Now and Sky Go.