News

Adelaide Sevens extended

December 04 2008

The Australian leg of the International Rugby Sevens next year will be spread over three days and kick off under lights for the first time.

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said the Adelaide Sevens will get underway on Friday, April 3 to herald a long weekend of Sevens rugby at the Adelaide Oval.

This year's winners South Africa will be among the main contenders along with the usual suspects New Zealand, Fiji, England and even hosts Australia.

"The decision to extend the Adelaide Sevens to a three-day event is a mark of confidence in a tournament which has grown during its first two years," ARU Managing Director and CEO John O'Neill said.

"Adelaide has embraced Rugby through the staging of World Cup matches in 2003 and a Test against the Pacific Islands the following year.

"That level of support is now evident through the Australian leg of the Sevens World Series."

The International Rugby Sevens Adelaide is part of the International Rugby Board's Sevens World Series and the only Australian stop on a circuit that also travels through Dubai, Edinburgh (Scotland), Hong Kong, London, Wellington (NZ), San Diego (USA) and George (South Africa).