The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series heads to Hamilton, New Zealand for the first event of the 2023 calendar year, with the 12 Women’s and 16 Men’s teams in action from 21-22 January.
The organisers previously announced that the 2023 edition of the tournament which has been on New Zealand’s sporting calendar for more than two decades, will see the addition of a second playing field next to FMG Stadium Waikato to enable the full men’s and women’s draws to be played.
Fans will be able to access both fields with party zones, family zones, circus rides, as well as a wide array of food all part of the organisers’ plans.
Although there has been no official confirmation from World Rugby which 7 hosts will have the seven events for the new structured season after this year, all of the media reports suggest this could be the last time Hamilton hosts the Sevens.
New Zealand Rugby confirmed World Rugby would not be choosing New Zealand in World Rugby’s decision to “remodel” the series into combined men’s and women’s tournaments, to be played in seven yet-to-be disclosed countries from late 2023.
Exciting year of HSBC World Sevens Rugby gets underway in Hamilton.
The first event of 2023 kicks off next weekend with the return of the HSBC New Zealand Sevens at FMG Stadium Waikato as the race to qualify for Paris 2024 heats up.
- HSBC New Zealand Sevens returns on 21-22 January.
- Black Ferns Sevens and All Blacks Sevens look to defend titles won on home soil dating back to last event held in 2020
- Paris 2024 Olympic qualification at stake for the top four teams in the 2023 Series
- The action begins at 09:10 local time (GMT+13) on Saturday, with the final match on Sunday at 19:56
After a short break for the holiday season, the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 continues with the HSBC New Zealand Sevens on 21-22 January kicking off what will be a thrilling year for rugby sevens.
Hamilton marks the fourth event in a busy 11-stop men’s Series, with Samoa and South Africa currently tied atop the standings, closely followed by New Zealand and USA.
In the women’s competition, Hamilton marks the third stop on the 2023 Series with trans-Tasman rivals Australia and New Zealand tied at the top of the standings after winning titles in Dubai and Cape Town respectively. USA and France are leading the chase in the race for the top four.
Having been on New Zealand’s sporting calendar for more than two decades, this year the tournament will see the addition of a second playing field next to FMG Stadium Waikato to enable the full men’s and women’s draws to be played over two action-packed days.
Women’s Sevens Pools – Hamilton 7s 2023
The women’s pools in New Zealand see the host and Cape Town as well as Olympic champions New Zealand drawn in Pool A alongside Great Britain, Fiji and invitation team Papua New Guinea.
Series defending champions Australia are in Pool B with France, Canada and the Asian representation Japan.
The USA will be aiming for their third straight podium finish in Hamilton and are in Pool C with Ireland, Brazil and Spain.
Pool A
- NZ
- GB
- Fiji
- Papua New Guinea
Pool B
- Australia
- France
- Canada
- Japan
Pool C
- USA
- Ireland
- Brazil
- Spain
Men’s Sevens Pools – Hamilton 7s 2023
The men’s pools for the action at the FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton sees new Series leaders Samoa in Pool A together with Pacific Island neighbours Fiji as well as France and Kenya.
Hosts New Zealand are in Pool B with Great Britain, Australia and invitation team Tonga.
In Pool C, the USA, Uruguay, Ireland and Japan will battle it out.
South Africa co-Seroes leaders (behind Samoa on points difference) are in Pool D with Argentina, Spain and Canada.
Pool A
- Samoa
- Fiji
- France
- Kenya
Pool B
- NZ
- GB
- Australia
- Tonga
Pool C
- USA
- Uruguay
- Ireland
- Japan
Pool D
- South Africa
- Argentina
- Spain
- Canada
Men’s Hamilton Sevens Rugby Schedule 2023
Match 1 South Africa 7s vs Canada 7s
Match 3 Argentina 7s vs Spain 7s
Match 2 Fiji 7s vs France 7s
Match 5 Uruguay 7s vs Ireland 7s
Match 4 Samoa 7s vs Kenya 7s
Match 7 USA 7s vs Japan 7s
Match 6 New Zealand 7s vs Tonga 7s
Match 8 Great Britain 7s vs Australia 7s
Match 9 Argentina 7s vs Canada 7s
Match 10 South Africa 7s vs Spain 7s
Match 11 Fiji 7s vs Kenya 7s
Match 12 Uruguay 7s vs Japan 7s
Match 13 Samoa 7s vs France 7s
Match 14 Great Britain 7s vs Tonga 7s
Match 15 USA 7s vs Ireland 7s
Match 16 New Zealand 7s vs Australia 7s
Match 17 South Africa 7s vs Argentina 7s
Match 18 Samoa 7s vs Fiji 7s
Match 20 USA 7s vs Uruguay 7s
Match 19 Spain 7s vs Canada 7s
Match 22 Ireland 7s vs Japan 7s
Match 21 France 7s vs Kenya 7s
Match 23 Australia 7s vs Tonga 7s
Match 24 New Zealand 7s vs Great Britain 7s