N.Z. back in seven-a-side rugby fold

Press, 20 September 1982, Page 19

N.Z. back in seven-a-side rugby fold

NZPA staff correspondent Hong Kong Hong Kong rugby followers welcomed news this week-end that New Zealand is confirmed among countries which will be playing in next year’s Hong Kong invitation seven-a-side rugby tournament.

The organisers dropped New Zealand representation from the international event this year in a move generally considered to have been made because of the dismal performance last year by the New Zealand representatives. Auckland.

Hong Kong rugby officials have consistently denied that the decision had anything to do with last year’s Springbok rugby tour of New Zealand. Whatever the reason, Hong Kong rugby supporters say the move was justified by the New Zealand Rugby Union’s subsequent decision to send a national team instead of the provincial seven-a-side champions. New Zealand is expected to send a representative side next year chosen from players taking part in the national seven-a-side tournament.

The first Hong Kong sevens in 1976 was won by a New Zealand side, the Cantabrians. Since then it has become an increasingly popular annual event attracting national or near national sides from up to 20 rugbyplaying nations. “We are delighted to welcome back New Zealand, who I am sure will be coming determined to win the title for the second time,” said the chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, Mr Jack Johnston.

Twenty teams, the same number as this year, will be taking part in the 1983 tournament, which will be held on March 26 and 27.

The two newcomers are New Zealand and the Solomon Islands. replacing Argentina, not invited because of the Falklands crisis, and the British Barbarians, reported to have declined an invitation because of other seven-a-side commitments faced by many leading players. NZPA understands that the organisers tried - to' get 24 countries to accept invitations and planned to change the format so that instead of four groups of five teams each playing off to find eight teams to go through to the final stages, eight groups of three would contest the preliminary round and then be divided into three separately graded competitions. Among other teams believed to have been sought were the Irish Wolfhounds and a French side.

“Increasing the number of participating teams was most definitely one of the alternatives which received very serious consideration, but with the extra logistical problems involved and the radical change in format required we decided to remain with 20 teams," Mr Johnston said.

The full line-up next year will be:

Australia (defending champions), Scottish Borders, Fiji, American Eagles, Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia. Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Middle East sevens champions, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand. Tonga, Western Samoa, New Zealand. and the Solomon Islands. The name of the tournament has been changed from “international” to “invitation.” It will now be known as the “Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Bank invitation sevens.”