Captains unite for Sevens Series finale

Story:  www.irb.com
Photo:  www.irb.com\Martin Seras Lima

The family of the man who gave Sevens Rugby to the world today welcomed the 16 international teams set to illuminate Murrayfield this weekend at the 100th tournament since the inception of the IRB's Sevens World Series.

David Haig, the great-great-great nephew of Ned Haig, the founder of the abbreviated game first played at Melrose in 1883, spoke of his great pride at how rugby sevens had fuelled a worldwide expansion of the game.

“It’s a phenomenon. The Haig family is very pleased that the 100th IRB tournament will take place in Scotland this weekend at the Emirates Airline Edinburgh 7s at Murrayfield," Haig said.

“This is the last tournament of the season in the HSBC Sevens World Series and it’s been wonderful to watch the skill and immense energy that the teams bring to the tournaments.

“We also take great pride that sevens will be a core sport at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and that it will be part of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.”

David Haig’s welcome was echoed from the highest levels of the Scottish Government.

Political backing for Sevens

Shona Robison, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport said: “Scotland is the home of Sevens and this weekend is really important for us.  It’s a wonderful opportunity for the sport and also for the local economy.

“Looking forward, there are huge opportunities for Sevens.  There’s a lot of interest in the sport across the world and with the Commonwealth Games coming up in Glasgow in 2014, Sevens will be a key sport at that event.”

England Sevens captain, Ben Gollings, has played in each year of the IRB Series since it kicked off in 1999.

“Over the years the competition has got tougher and tougher, There is no easy game anymore – as we found out last week," Gollings said at a reception for the competing teams hosted by the Scottish Government at Edinburgh Castle.

“It’s what makes Sevens fun. The underdog is very much in the picture in this game and can cause serious upsets – and it happens tournament after tournament.”

This weekend’s host nation Scotland are drawn in a pool against reigning Edinburgh 7s champions Samoa, last weekend’s Emirates Airline London 7s runners-up Fiji and core Series team USA.

Scotland in tough pool

Matt Hawkins, the USA captain said: “We believe we can be in the top eight in the world. No, we are not professional! No, we don’t spend much time together but we have the talent and the know-how to do it. We just need to be a little bit more consistent.”

Young Samoan utility back Lole Tualaulelei, competing at the Edinburgh event for the first time, said Scotland had been “hard to beat, really strong” at Twickenham last weekend when the Pacific islanders held on for a 19-15 win.

In Samoa, winners of the last World Series, Sevens excites everyone from villagers to the Prime Minister: “He (the Prime Minister) was pretty happy with the boys when they won the World Series last year. It was great history for Samoa. We know we can’t do that this weekend but we are aiming to get the (Ned Haig) Cup for the last tournament of the year.”

Fijian captain Dale Tonawai noted: “We’re very much looking forward to the weekend especially with our performance in London. We have been visited by the Fijian community in Edinburgh up at Dreghorn Barracks while we have been doing our training runs. It’s been a very warm welcome for us.”

The trio combines to present a tough opening day challenge for Scotland.

“Winning the Bowl in London last weekend was a great confidence booster to all the players going into the final leg at Murrayfield this weekend," said Scotland captain, Scott Riddell.

"It’s a fantastic honour to pull on the Scotland jersey as captain and represent the nation – to do that at Murrayfield, with the backing of your home support, family and friends, is very special.
 
“Scotland 7s have achieved great things at Murrayfield in recent years, beating some of the best teams in the world including South Africa, Australia, England and Fiji.
 
“As a player, when you’re giving everything you have for the jersey, hearing the crowd at fever pitch and willing you on gets you off the ground that bit quicker to support the next attack or make the next tackle, so I’d encourage all supporters of Scotland to come to Murrayfield this weekend and show us their support as we take on the world, starting with Fiji, Samoa and the USA on Saturday.”

Tickets still on sale

You can still come along and join in the party atmosphere at the tournament this weekend. The tickets for two days of full-on, high-octane sevens action involving 16 teams in the finale of the HSBC Sevens World Series are attractively priced. A day ticket (for either day) costs just £5 for children; £10 for students and pensioners and £20 for adults with a family ticket (two adults and two children) coming in at £40. If you buy an adult ticket for either of Scotland’s EMC August Tests against Ireland and Italy then your adult ticket for the sevens is halved in price to just £10.

Purchase tickets online at www.edinburgh7s.com via the 24 hour credit card hotline on 0844 335 3933 or at Murrayfield Stadium.