Rugby World Cup Sevens

Rugby World Cup Sevens

Links
rwcsevens.com Wikipedia

Rugby World Cup Sevens (RWCS) is the quadrennial world championship of rugby sevens, a variant of rugby union. Organised by World Rugby, it currently consists of men's and women's tournaments, and is the highest level of competition in the sport outside of the Summer Olympics.

The first tournament was held in 1993 in Scotland, and was won by England. The winners of the men's tournament are awarded the Melrose Cup, named after the Scottish town of Melrose where the first rugby sevens game was played. A women's tournament was introduced at the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai, and was first won by Australia.

After the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens, the tournament took an extended, five-year hiatus to allow the integration of rugby sevens at the Summer Olympics into the competitive calendar. The 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens was held at Cape Town Stadium, in Cape Town, South Africa, with Fiji winning the men's tournament and Australia winning the women's tournament.

History

The Rugby World Cup Sevens originated with a proposal by the Scottish Rugby Union to the International Rugby Board.[] The inaugural tournament was held at Murrayfield in Edinburgh in 1993, and has been held every four years since. England won the inaugural tournament, defeating Australia 21–17 in the final.

Hong Kong, which had played a major role in the international development of the Sevens game, hosted the 1997 event. The final was won by Fiji over South Africa. The 2001 tournament was held in Mar del Plata, Argentina. The 2005 event returned to Hong Kong.

At the 2009 tournament, Wales, Samoa, Argentina and Kenya combined to stun the rugby world by defeating the traditional powerhouses of New Zealand, England, South Africa and Fiji in the quarter-finals, guaranteeing a new Melrose Cup winner. Wales and Argentina met in the final, with Wales triumphing 19–12.

The IRB made a submission to the International Olympic Committee in 2005 for rugby sevens to become an Olympic sport. However, the submission failed because committee members felt IRB needed to improve promotion of the women's game.[] To that end, the IRB implemented the first women's Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in 2009. The 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens was held in Dubai during the first weekend of March 2009 and included a separate women's tournament. Cumulative attendance was 78,000.

Prior to the inclusion of rugby sevens into the Olympic Games, the IRB stated that their intention would be to end the World Cup Sevens so that the Olympic Games would be the one pinnacle in a four-year cycle for Rugby Sevens. The adoption of rugby sevens and golf was recommended to the full International Olympic Committee council by its executive board in August 2009. The International Olympic Committee voted in 2009 for rugby sevens to become a medal event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The IRB Council in 2010 awarded the hosting of the 2013 tournament to Moscow, Russia from a field of eight nations that had expressed formal interest in hosting. The IRB intended that the exposure to rugby from hosting the World Cup Sevens would accelerate the growth of rugby in Russia. It featured 24 men's teams and 16 women's teams.

The IRB originally intended to discontinue Rugby World Cup Sevens after the 2013 edition, in favour of the Olympic tournament. However, it was later decided in 2013 that the tournament would continue to be held, as it can accommodate a larger field than the Olympic rugby sevens tournaments, and would allow an elite-level competition to take place biennially from 2016. The next tournament would be held in 2018, one year later than usual, in order to accommodate the integration of the Olympics into the competitive calendar. On 13 May 2015, it was announced that the United States would host the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens.

The Rugby World Cup Sevens is an exhilarating and highly anticipated international rugby union tournament that showcases the best teams from around the globe. Held every four years, this prestigious event brings together the world's top rugby sevens teams to compete for the ultimate prize.

The tournament features fast-paced, action-packed matches played in the thrilling sevens format, which is known for its high-scoring and dynamic style of play. With only seven players on each team and shorter match durations, the Rugby World Cup Sevens creates an intense and electrifying atmosphere that keeps spectators on the edge of their seats.

Teams from traditional rugby powerhouses such as New Zealand, South Africa, England, and Australia, as well as emerging nations like Fiji, Kenya, and Argentina, battle it out on the field, showcasing their exceptional skills, speed, and agility. The tournament provides a platform for both established and up-and-coming rugby stars to shine, as they display their individual brilliance and teamwork in pursuit of victory.

The Rugby World Cup Sevens is not only a celebration of the sport but also a melting pot of cultures and national pride. Fans from all over the world come together to support their teams, creating a vibrant and passionate atmosphere that adds to the excitement of the tournament. The event is a true spectacle, with colorful jerseys, thunderous chants, and a sense of camaraderie that transcends borders.

Hosted in various iconic rugby destinations, the Rugby World Cup Sevens offers a unique opportunity for fans to experience the thrill of the game in different parts of the world. From the bustling streets of Hong Kong to the picturesque landscapes of New Zealand, each edition of the tournament provides a distinct backdrop that adds to the allure of the event.

The Rugby World Cup Sevens is not just a tournament; it is a celebration of the sport's rich history, its global reach, and the incredible athleticism of its players. It brings together nations, fans, and players from diverse backgrounds, united by their love for rugby union. With its fast-paced action, passionate supporters, and world-class talent, the Rugby World Cup Sevens is a must-watch event that captivates audiences and leaves a lasting impression on all who witness it.