Sevens: Pools confirmed for National Sevens in Rotorua

Action from the Bayleys National Sevens at the Rotorua International Stadium. Photo/Ben Fraser

The pools have been confirmed for the Bayleys National Sevens as the most important year yet in sevens gets underway in Rotorua in January.

Sixteen men's teams and 10 women's teams will again compete in the two-day tournament which kicks off at Rotorua International Stadium on Saturday, January 16.

Just two weeks later the best sevens players in the world will descend on the capital as Wellington Sevens gets underway on Saturday, January 30.

"This will be a very exciting year for sevens with the Olympics in Rio de Janiero just around the corner," New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said.
"There's plenty at stake for all players with both national team coaches on the sidelines looking to finalise their squads for 2016."

Up to four places in the All Blacks Sevens wider training group will be confirmed by coach Sir Gordon Tietjens after the National Sevens.

New Zealand Women's Sevens coach Sean Horan will also finalise his 2016 squad.
"As we saw in Dubai and Cape Town, our men's and women's teams are facing much tougher competition these days," Tew said.

"That's no surprise with a rugby gold medal up for grabs at the Olympics for first time since 1924. But it really shows how important it is that we have a strong domestic competition so we can keep building the depth and skills we need to continue to do well at the top level of the game.

"The good news is that the National Sevens, the regional qualifying tournaments and the Women's Super Series, are all providing a fantastic pathway for our players to show off their skills and press for higher honours."

Organisers of the National Sevens are hoping locals and visitors take advantage of the chance to see some of the best sevens players in the country in action.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua community to get involved in an action packed weekend," Bay of Plenty Rugby chief executive Mike Rogers said.
"Providing great sevens talent, and a fantastic family day out with food and entertainment for the kids; it certainly adds to Rotorua's vibrancy over the holiday period not just for locals but visitors too."

Tickets are available on www.ticketmaster.co.nz. Prices include $15 adult, $5 child (under-15), and under-5s free.

Pools:
Men:
Pool A: Auckland, Northland, Bay of Plenty, South Canterbury.
Pool B: Hawke's Bay, Otago, Wellington, Taranaki.
Pool C: Counties Manukau, North Harbour, Wanganui, Mid Canterbury.
Pool D: Waikato, Manawatu, Tasman, Canterbury.
Women:
Pool 1: Counties Manukau, Waikato, Wellington, North Harbour, Otago.
Pool 2: Manawatu, Auckland, Wairarapa Bush, Canterbury, Tasman.