Latest news with #HSBCSVNSSeries
South China Morning Post
03-08-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Could franchise model be way forward for rugby 7s? A new club-based event hopes to find out
With the HSBC SVNS Series undergoing another change in format and some unions cutting their rugby sevens programmes entirely, the sport has been facing an uncertain future. Tom Burwell, a former executive director of the Emirates Dubai 7s with 20 years' involvement in the sport, is the driving force behind a new professional sevens tournament based on seven franchises playing over the summer that will launch in 2026. With early seasons expected to be based in Europe before going global, Burwell, who is CEO of Bia Sports Group, which owns English Premier League side Sunderland, tells Josh Ball why the franchise model is the way forward and why some of the world's best players are already signing up to take part. Sevens tournaments are typically played over three days, but yours would be four hours once a week. Are shorter events the answer? 'The sport has often been challenged to be relevant week on week. During my time in Dubai, our interest was, how do we build the most successful three days possible here in the desert, and the important role we played within what was the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. 'But I don't think a huge number of fans were totally dialled into what would then happen in Cape Town the following week.
Irish Independent
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Wexford's Robyn O'Connor's named on Team of the 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series
The talented Wexford Wanderers club member is one of just two Ireland players to gain selection, along with team captain Jane Neill from Arklow. Coached by Niamh Briggs, the Ireland squad won two of their three Summer Series matches – a first for Irish rugby's leading age-grade talent – and posted a new record victory when running out 62-7 winners over Scotland in Caerphilly. O'Connor, whose quick feet and eye for a break have seen her shine in the back three, started this past season with an eye-catching senior debut for Leinster as she helped them to become back-to-back interprovincial champions. One of 37 centralised players contracted to the IRFU Women's High Performance programme, the Wexford native has gained valuable experience with the Ireland Women's Sevens team, scoring four tries during her maiden HSBC SVNS Series campaign. Like Neill, the recent Summer Series was O'Connor's second tournament with the Ireland Under-20s after playing in Parma last summer. She finished as the joint-third top try scorer in Wales with three tries, including one during the opening 27-10 triumph over the host nation. Just a couple of days after her 20th birthday, she bagged a second-half brace against the Scots in a lively cameo performance. Notably, she topped the 2025 Series' stats for running metres (317.4) and line breaks (6), and made double figures for tackle breaks (10). Reflecting on the runaway win over Scotland, O'Connor said: 'I was very happy with how I performed, but huge credit to the rest of the girls who were able to create space for me and get the ball to me. 'I'm very proud of this team. We only came together at the beginning of this year, and we've become so close over the past two weeks at the tournament. We've really grown together as a team and that showed during the performance. ADVERTISEMENT 'We're very excited and proud of how we performed. In comparison to the loss to France, we really came on and we tidied up the little bits that we needed to get better. We're all feeling great about that.' The full team is: 15. Poppy Mellanby (Scotland); 14. Anaick Konyi (France); 13. Savannah Picton-Powell (Wales); 12. Lucy MacRae (Scotland); 11. Robyn O'Connor (Ireland); 10. Ceitidh Ainsworth (Scotland); 9. Pauline Barrat (France); 1. Mailys Borak (France); 2. Chiara Cheli (Italy); 3. Alice Antonazzo (Italy); 4. Jane Neill (Ireland); 5. Robyn Davies (Wales); 6. Lou Roboam (France); 7. Sophie McQueen (England); 8. Elena Errichiello (Italy).
Hamilton Spectator
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
De Goede to lead 32-player rugby tour party as Canada takes on Springbok women
Recovered from knee surgery, Canada captain Sophie de Goede leads a 32-player tour squad to South Africa for a two-game series with the Springboks women next month. The second-ranked Canadian women, who were scheduled to leave Friday, take on No. 12 South Africa on July 5 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria and July 12 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. 'The players and staff are all excited to get down to South Africa to continue our preparations for the Rugby World Cup,' Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. 'Three weeks of training together and another two test matches will go a long way to ensure our squad is ready.' After the South Africa tour, Canada plays the ninth-ranked United States on Aug. 1 in Ottawa and No. 5 Ireland on Aug. 9 in Dublin. The Canadian women open the World Cup in England against No. 15 Fiji on Aug. 23 in York, then face No. 10 Wales on Aug. 30 in Manchester and No. 7 Scotland on Sept. 6 in Exeter. Goede has not played since tearing her anterior cruciate ligament on June 21, 2024, in a non-contact scrimmage against the United States on the last day of a Canada sevens camp in Chula Vista, Calif. The tour roster includes three uncapped players in Taylor McKnight, Holly Phillips and Carissa Norsten, who has represented Canada in sevens play. McKnight, a hooker from Stouffville, Ont., played for the University of Guelph last season. Phillips, a prop from Canmore, Alta., played in England for the Bristol Bears. Norsten was named the HSBC SVNS Series rookie of the year in 2024. Canada is 12-5-1 since the last World Cup. Four of the losses were to top-ranked England, with the other to New Zealand. That record has earned Rouet a contract extension through 2027. 'I am very excited for the opportunity to continue coaching this group of amazing players,' said Rouet. 'This gives the team and myself confidence going into the World Cup.' After three years as an assistant coach, the French-born Rouet took charge of the team in March 2022. He has led the Canadian women to a 21-8-1 record and the 2024 Pacific Four Series title, with a first-ever win over defending world champion New Zealand. 'Kevin has done outstanding work with our women's program, and we would like to recognize his great commitment to developing a world-class team and the culture he has built within his squad,' Rugby Canada CEO Nathan Bombrys said in a statement. 'We are pleased to be able to secure one of the world's top international coaches in Kevin for another two years and continue to work with him as he leads our women's program onto new heights.' Rouet was given a contract extension in April 2023 that ran through the 2025 World Cup. Canada Tour Squad Forwards Brittany Kassil, Guelph, Ont., Guelph Goats; Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Courtney O'Donnell, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Gabrielle Senft, Regina, Saracens (England); Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); Holly Phillips, Canmore, Alta., Bristol Bears (England); Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Mikiela Nelson, North Vancouver, Exeter Chiefs (England); Olivia DeMerchant, Mapledale, N.B., Halifax Tars RFC; Pamphinette Buisa, Gatineau, Que., Ottawa Irish; Rachel Smith, South Surrey, B.C., UBC; Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Sophie de Goede, Victoria, Saracens (England); Taylor McKnight, Stouffville, Ont., Aurora Barbarians; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England). Backs Alexandra Tessier, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, P.E.I., Saracens (England); Carissa Norsten, Waldheim, Sask., University of Victoria; Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England); Fancy Bermudez, Edmonton, Saracens (England); Florence Symonds, Vancouver, UBC; Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Justine Pelletier, Rivière-du-Loup, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Krissy Scurfield, Canmore, Alta., Loughborough Lightning (England); Madison Grant, Cornwall, Ont., Cornwall Claymores; Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Counties Manukau (New Zealand); Taylor Perry, Oakville, Ont., Exeter Chiefs (England). —- This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025 Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
De Goede to lead 32-player rugby tour party as Canada takes on Springbok women
Recovered from knee surgery, Canada captain Sophie de Goede leads a 32-player tour squad to South Africa for a two-game series with the Springboks women next month. The second-ranked Canadian women, who were scheduled to leave Friday, take on No. 12 South Africa on July 5 at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria and July 12 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. 'The players and staff are all excited to get down to South Africa to continue our preparations for the Rugby World Cup,' Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. 'Three weeks of training together and another two test matches will go a long way to ensure our squad is ready.' After the South Africa tour, Canada plays the ninth-ranked United States on Aug. 1 in Ottawa and No. 5 Ireland on Aug. 9 in Dublin. The Canadian women open the World Cup in England against No. 15 Fiji on Aug. 23 in York, then face No. 10 Wales on Aug. 30 in Manchester and No. 7 Scotland on Sept. 6 in Exeter. Goede has not played since tearing her anterior cruciate ligament on June 21, 2024, in a non-contact scrimmage against the United States on the last day of a Canada sevens camp in Chula Vista, Calif. The tour roster includes three uncapped players in Taylor McKnight, Holly Phillips and Carissa Norsten, who has represented Canada in sevens play. McKnight, a hooker from Stouffville, Ont., played for the University of Guelph last season. Phillips, a prop from Canmore, Alta., played in England for the Bristol Bears. Norsten was named the HSBC SVNS Series rookie of the year in 2024. Canada is 12-5-1 since the last World Cup. Four of the losses were to top-ranked England, with the other to New Zealand. That record has earned Rouet a contract extension through 2027. 'I am very excited for the opportunity to continue coaching this group of amazing players,' said Rouet. 'This gives the team and myself confidence going into the World Cup.' After three years as an assistant coach, the French-born Rouet took charge of the team in March 2022. He has led the Canadian women to a 21-8-1 record and the 2024 Pacific Four Series title, with a first-ever win over defending world champion New Zealand. 'Kevin has done outstanding work with our women's program, and we would like to recognize his great commitment to developing a world-class team and the culture he has built within his squad,' Rugby Canada CEO Nathan Bombrys said in a statement. 'We are pleased to be able to secure one of the world's top international coaches in Kevin for another two years and continue to work with him as he leads our women's program onto new heights.' Rouet was given a contract extension in April 2023 that ran through the 2025 World Cup. Canada Tour Squad Forwards Brittany Kassil, Guelph, Ont., Guelph Goats; Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Courtney O'Donnell, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Gabrielle Senft, Regina, Saracens (England); Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); Holly Phillips, Canmore, Alta., Bristol Bears (England); Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Mikiela Nelson, North Vancouver, Exeter Chiefs (England); Olivia DeMerchant, Mapledale, N.B., Halifax Tars RFC; Pamphinette Buisa, Gatineau, Que., Ottawa Irish; Rachel Smith, South Surrey, B.C., UBC; Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Sophie de Goede, Victoria, Saracens (England); Taylor McKnight, Stouffville, Ont., Aurora Barbarians; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England). Backs Alexandra Tessier, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, P.E.I., Saracens (England); Carissa Norsten, Waldheim, Sask., University of Victoria; Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England); Fancy Bermudez, Edmonton, Saracens (England); Florence Symonds, Vancouver, UBC; Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Justine Pelletier, Rivière-du-Loup, Que., Stade Bordelais (France); Krissy Scurfield, Canmore, Alta., Loughborough Lightning (England); Madison Grant, Cornwall, Ont., Cornwall Claymores; Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Counties Manukau (New Zealand); Taylor Perry, Oakville, Ont., Exeter Chiefs (England). — This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025
IOL News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Springbok Women's Sevens still focused on Hollywood ending despite shifting goalposts
Mathrin Simmers Mathrin Simmers, carrying the ball, will lead the Springbok Women's Sevens side in Los Angeles this weekend. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix There will be no Hollywood ending for the Springbok Women's Sevens team, who were dreaming of a quick return to rugby sevens' top table via this weekend's HSBC SVNS Play-off tournament at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles. World Rugby announced on Thursday that the HSBC SVNS format will change for the next season and that only eight teams will participate in each gender, making it impossible for the South African side to join their Blitzbok counterparts in the elite competition. A second-tier series with three tournaments was introduced, and Renfred Dazel's team will now target that to maintain their momentum and standing in the world game. Only a top-four finish in LA will secure their place in the second-tier tournament, and failure to do so will force them to the regional qualifications route again. The original format had the bottom four teams in the 12-team HSBC SVNS Series playing the top four teams in the lower tier Challenger Series for four spots in the elite league at the play-off tournament in the US. The Springbok Women's Sevens head coach is refusing to focus on the dramatic 11th-hour plot twist, however. "If you think of the situation last year, it was a format that no one did before, but this one is slightly better because if you top your pool, then you don't have to play any more games, you qualify. And if finish last in your pool, you're eliminated," Dazel said. "If you finish second and third, there's one more play-off game, but hopefully we don't go there and we just get through our pool, and we'll see. "The plan is to set the standard in the first game against Ireland, and take it further from there. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "We played them before and were competitive, bar a lapse or two, and that cost us. "We are breaking up this match by minutes. We want to make sure we win every minute and play. If we do, the result will be ours." The South Africans lost their World Series core status in Madrid last year, and according to Dazel, they learnt valuable lessons then. The former Blitzboks star said the fact that they played all three opponents before will help in their planning. The #HSBCSVNS format may have changed, but for the #BokWomen7s, the goal remains the same in LA this weekend - more here: 🫡#RiseUp — SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) May 2, 2025 He feels that defence will be key against China: 'They play a lot like Japan – they keep the ball alive and do their swivels, play their deep switches, that is China for you. 'Our defence will be key in that game as I believe our attack is our strong suit and will bring the points, but then we must not concede.' Dazel said the recent victories over Argentina, as recent as last month in the final Challenger Series tournament in Krakow, Poland, will also act as pointers for their final pool match. 'We played Argentina twice and beat them both times, the last time in the Krakow final, so we have our plans for that match. But first things first, and that will be Ireland.' Springbok Women's Sevens Squad 1 Leigh Fortuin 3 Patience Mokone 4 Zintle Mpupha 6 Felicia Jacobs 7 Maria Tshiremba 9 Nadine Roos 10 Mathrin Simmers (captain) 11 Zandile Masuku 14 Simamkele Namba 16 Shiniqwa Lamprecht 23 Ayanda Malinga 27 Alicia Willemse 29 Rights Mkhari SA Pool B schedule (SA times, live on SuperSport): Saturday: SA v Ireland (7.44pm); SA v China (11.07pm) Sunday: SA v Argentina (7pm)
