Takiwhitu Tūturu will feature eight teams playing across 9-10 April at Hataitai Park in Wellington. The men’s division sees two All Blacks Sevens teams, Tonga Invitational and Samoa Invitational while two Black Ferns Sevens teams will go up against a Black Ferns (15s) selection and the Moana Pasifika women.
The weekend culminates with the All Blacks Sevens and Black Ferns Sevens playing exhibition fixtures at Sky Stadium either side of the Hurricanes v Crusaders match. The four sevens matches will be broadcast live on Sky.
New Zealand Rugby High Performance Sevens Manager Tony Philp said with the borders closed; it was pleasing to be able to create a high level of competition.
“We are lucky to have really talented sevens players in our country so putting together a tournament like this is key for Olympic preparation.
“It is also important for our teams to experience playing in a stadium environment again, so it is fantastic to link with the Hurricanes and play around their Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa fixture,” said Philp.
All Blacks Sevens Co-Captain Scott Curry said the team are looking forward to getting back to Wellington.
“A lot of us have great memories of playing at the Wellington Sevens, so its pretty cool to be heading back to the stadium to play some matches there. Having three game days is the same format as the Olympics, and we know they’ll be quality games so its great preparation for us.”
Black Ferns Sevens’ Tyla Nathan-Wong said any opportunity the team gets to play in New Zealand in front of friends and family is exciting.
“It’s going to be great. We’ve been training hard but nothing beats actual game time, and playing at Sky Stadium on the Sunday will be pretty special.”
Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee said the club was looking forward to what will be an amazing day at Sky Stadium.
“We are delighted to host the Black Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens on 11 April. It will be a memorable afternoon with Hurricanes v Crusaders kicking off at 3.35pm and also some high-quality sevens games featuring our best male and female players. They’re are all amazing athletes and I highly recommend that our members and fans check it out.”
This is the second competition window in the build up to the Olympics, with the previous tournament played in Mt Maunganui in February. The schedule for the next three months will be confirmed when a Trans-Tasman bubble is announced.
CLICK HERE to get your tickets to see the All Blacks Sevens, Black Ferns Sevens, Hurricanes and Crusaders play at Sky Stadium on Sunday 11 April.
Takiwhitu Tūturu
FRIDAY 9 APRIL - Hataitai Park, Wellington
10.00AM Black Ferns Sevens White V Black Ferns Sevens Black
10.30AM Moana Pasifika V Black Ferns
11.00AM All Blacks Sevens White V All Blacks Sevens Black
11.30AM Tonga Invitational V Samoa Barbarians
2.30PM Black Ferns Sevens White V Moana Pasifika
3.00PM Black Ferns Sevens Black V Black Ferns
3.30PM Tonga Invitational V All Blacks Sevens White
4.00PM All Blacks Sevens Black V Samoa Barabarians
SATURDAY 10 APRIL - Hataitai Park, Wellington
10.00AM Black Ferns V Black Ferns Sevens White
10.30AM Black Ferns Sevens Black V Moana Pasifika
11.00AM All Blacks Sevens Black V Tonga Invitational
11.30AM Samoa Barbarians V All Blacks Sevens White
2.30PM Women’s Play Off
3.00PM Women’s Play Off
3.30PM Men’s Play Off
4.00PM Men’s Play Off
SUNDAY 11 APRIL – Sky Stadium
2.00PM Black Ferns Sevens Match
2.23PM All Blacks Sevens Match
3.35PM Hurricanes V Crusaders (Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa)
5.40PM Black Ferns Sevens Match
6.03PM All Blacks Sevens Match