At the heart of the Emirates Dubai 7s, is the HSBC SVNS World Series. Dubai has played host to the Opening Leg of the Series since its inception in 1999 and will welcome once again, the very best players in the world in the first leg of the 24/25 HSBC SVNS World Series on 30th November and 1st December.
It will be the first time many of these 12 Men’s and 12 Women’s teams have faced off since the incredible Olympic Rugby Sevens Tournament played out in front of packed crowds in Paris last summer….and it promises to be white hot as some teams seek to retain their status at the top, others seek redemption for missing out on a place on the Olympic rostrum and teams new to the 24/25 Series seek to make their mark from the first whistle.
The Men’s Competition throws up some mouthwatering ties in the Pool Phase:
In Pool A, Olympic Champions France will take on South Africa – the mighty Blitzboks who have won the last three Emirates Dubai 7s Men’s Titles along with Australia who narrowly missed out on a medal in Paris and fan favourites Kenya, Back in the big time and with a point to prove
Pool B has a distinct European and South American feel to it. 23/24 Series League Winners Argentina take on old sparring partners Uruguay, an exciting Ireland side and Great Britain who will be striving for a great start in the desert
Finally, Pool C sees Men’s Olympic Silver Medallists and serial entertainers Fiji take on the might of the All Blacks Sevens, the USA under the new guidance of former England and Japan coach, Simon Amor and Spain who on their day play some of the most attractive rugby on the circuit and will be chomping at the bit to cause a few shocks.
Day 1 in Pool C begins with the mighty All Blacks Sevens taking on the USA at 10:06. This will be the first ‘hit out’ for the US under new coach Simon Amor, formerly with Japan and England, and fans can guarantee that they will be looking for a statement victory to kick off their 2024 / 2025 campaign. At the same time on Pitch 2, the magnificent Fijians will be looking to wow the crowds with their unique brand of Sevens, but no doubt Spain, who can beat anyone on their day, will have something to say about that.
In Pool B, an all-South American affair sees the 2023 / 2024 Series League Winners, Argentina taking on Uruguay at 12:28, whilst old rivals Ireland and Great Britain will need no extra motivation for their clash as they aim to get off to a winning start.
Following a hattrick of back-to-back Emirates Dubai 7s triumphs in 2021, 2022 and 2023, the South Africa men’s team will take on Australia at 12:50. Then at 16:58, fan-favourites Kenya are back after a year away and will have a point to prove against the all-conquering ‘Blitzboks’.
An action-packed Day 1 completes with Seeds 1 and 2 squaring off in the final round of the Pool phase; Fiji takes on the All Blacks, Argentina faces Ireland and finally, Olympic Champions, France takes on South Africa at 22:44.
The Women’s Tournament is equally compelling:
The magnificent Australians, so often crowned Champions in Dubai will be seeking finally, to shake off the memories of Paris 2024 where their absence from the Medal podium was one of the shocks of the event. They will be raring to go against Ireland who had a great Series last year, Fiji and debutants, China who are bound to cause a few surprises this year with their fast-paced and dynamic brand of Sevens.
Olympic Bronze Medallists the USA, take on France, Great Britain and Spain in a very evenly matched Pool B whilst Paris Silver Medallists Canada will be seeking to go one better by overturning Olympic Champions New Zealand for Pool C bragging rights but no doubt Japan and Brazil will have something to say about that, particularly if they can make a fast start.
Day 1 kicks off with newly crowned Olympic champions New Zealand taking on Brazil at 9:00 on Pitch 2, whilst silver medallists Canada open their campaign against Japan on Pitch 1. The morning session includes some mouthwatering clashes in Pools A and B including USA v Great Britain (11:22), Ireland v Fiji (11:44) and defending champions, Australia opening their account against exciting HSBC SVNS newcomers, China (11:44).
The final round of pool matches is enough to get The Sevens Stadium rocking as we see a repeat of the Olympic final between New Zealand and Canada at 18:07, France taking on Olympic bronze medallists, the USA (18:51) and defending Emirates Dubai 7s champions, Australia versus Ireland at 19:35.
Fixtures: Saturday 30 November 2024
Men:
12:06 New Zealand vs USA
12:06 Fiji vs Spain (Pitch 2)
12:28 Ireland vs Great Britain
12:28 Argentina vs Uruguay (Pitch 2)
12:50 Blitzboks vs Australia
12:50 France vs Kenya (Pitch 2)
15:30 New Zealand vs Spain
15:52 Fiji vs USA
16:14 Ireland vs Uruguay
16:36 Argentina vs Great Britain
16:58 Blitzboks vs Kenya
17:20 France vs Australia
20:54 USA vs Spain
21:16 Fiji vs New Zealand
21:38 Great Britain vs Uruguay
22:00 Argentina vs Ireland
22:22 Australia vs Kenya
22:44 France vs Blitzboks
Women:
11:00 Canada vs Japan
11:00 New Zealand vs Brazil (Pitch 2)
11:22 USA vs Great Britain
11:22 France vs Spain (Pitch 2)
11:44 Ireland vs Fiji
11;44 Australia vs China (Pitch 2)
13:15 Canada vs Brazil
13:37 New Zealand vs Japan
13:59 USA vs Spain
14:21 France vs Great Britain
14:43 Ireland vs China
15:05 Australia vs Fiji
17:45 Japan vs Brazil
18:07 New Zealand vs Canada
18:29 Great Britain vs Spain
18:51 France vs USA
19:13 Fiji China
19:35 Australia vs Ireland
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