New Zealand will seek to extend their stranglehold on the Commonwealth Games rugby sevens for a fifth successive time when the competition gets under way at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow, their bid boosted by the absence of archrivals Fiji.
The All Blacks have won all four previous Commonwealth sevens tournaments, dating back to a Jonah Lomu-inspired triumph in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, and have since dominated the IRB Sevens World Series of a sport which is to be included in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016.
“For 16 years now rugby sevens has enjoyed being a key part of the Commonwealth Games,” said Bernard Lapasset, president of rugby union’s world governing body, the IRB. “To compete alongside their compatriots in a multisport environment is a matter of huge pride and honor for our rugby players, who are making giant strides in this new Olympic era. We wish our rugby athletes all the best in this magnificent international event.”
Fiji will not be in Scotland, though, having missed out on qualification after the late inclusion of the country in the Games.
Despite their absence, there is a formidable lineup of teams that turn out on the IRB world circuit.
Reigning champions New Zealand have been drawn in Pool A alongside Canada, Nigeria and tournament hosts Scotland, who have named star international British and Irish Lions fullback Stuart Hogg and veteran winger Sean Lamont in their squad.
Silver medalists four years ago in New Delhi, Australia, and bronze medalists South Africa are the top seeds in Pool D and Pool B respectively, while other World Series regulars Samoa, England, Kenya, Wales and Canada will also be determined to challenge the dominance of the mighty All Blacks.
The beauty of the Commonwealth Games means there are also places for the unheralded likes of Malaysia, Nigeria, Uganda, and Trinidad and Tobago.
Stalwart D.J. Forbes, along with Sherwin Stowers and Tim Mikkelson plus World Cup winners Declan O’Donnell and Pita Ahki, headline the New Zealand team coached by veteran Gordon Tietjens.
“Winning a gold medal at a Commonwealth Games is very special,” Tietjens said. “There is nothing better than seeing a player being presented with a gold medal and listening to the anthem. I am confident if these guys can perform to the best of their ability and be on top of their game, we can go very well. To win, it’s all about consistency, accuracy, strong defense and dominating possession. If we can play consistently well, and having a strong bench will help, then that plays a big hand in being successful.”
For Scotland fullback Hogg, the tournament will all be about impressing in Glasgow, not a traditional rugby heartland in a country where soccer is king. There is also the added aim of home union players trying to sparkle ahead of selection of a British team for the Rio de Janeiro Games.
“The Ibrox crowd will be massive, up to 45,000, and it is exciting,” said Hogg, whose last sevens appearance was four years ago for club side Hawick. “We want to put in a performance that makes the whole nation proud.”
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