World Rugby Women's Sevens Series
Current season, competition or edition:  2018–19 World Rugby Women's Sevens Series | |
 | |
| Sport | Rugby union |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2012 |
| No. of teams | 12 |
| Country | Worldwide |
| Most recent champion(s) |  Australia |
| Most titles |  New Zealand (4) |
The World Rugby Women's Sevens Series, known as the HSBC Women's World Rugby Sevens Series for sponsorship reasons,[1] is a series of international rugby sevens tournaments for women's national teams run by World Rugby. The inaugural series was held in 2012–13 as the successor to the IRB Women's Sevens Challenge Cup held the previous season.
The series, the women's counterpart to the World Rugby Sevens Series, provides elite-level women's competition between rugby nations. As with the men's Sevens World Series, teams compete for the title by accumulating points based on their finishing position in each tournament.
Contents
1 History
2 Tournaments
2.1 Current events
2.2 Former hosts of current events
2.3 Previous events
2.4 Sponsorship
3 Results by season
4 Format
5 Core teams
6 Player awards by season
7 Points schedule
8 See also
9 Notes and references
10 External links
History
The first 2012–13 series consisted of four tournaments on three continents. The first two events were hosted by the United Arab Emirates (specifically Dubai) and the United States, both of which host events in the men's version. The other two events were hosted by China and the Netherlands.
For the second series in 2013–14, five tournaments took place; a sixth had initially been announced, but never materialized. All nations that hosted events in 2012–13 hosted in the second season, with the added event hosted by Brazil.[2]
The series expanded to six events for 2014–15. The Dubai, Brazil, USA, and Netherlands events remained on the schedule. China was not on the 2014–15 schedule. New rounds of the series were launched in Canada (specifically in Greater Victoria) and London.[3] Initially, the 2015–16 series was announced with only four events, with London and the Netherlands dropping from the schedule, but a fifth event was eventually added, hosted by France. Events in Australia and Japan were added in 2016–17. With the USA hosting the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens, the USA was not on the 2017–18 schedule.
Tournaments
Current events
There will be six tournament events in 2018–19. The USA Women's Sevens returned to the schedule after a year's hiatus due to the country's hosting of the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco,[4] but the event moved from Las Vegas to the Denver suburb of Glendale, Colorado, and became the season's opening event.[5] The Australian Women's Sevens, as well as the country's corresponding event in the men's Sevens Series, will move within Sydney from Sydney Football Stadium to Sydney Showground Stadium. This move was necessary because the Football Stadium is to be demolished and replaced by an entirely new stadium on the same site.[6]
| Event | Stadium (Capacity) | City | Joined[a] |
|---|---|---|---|
 USA | Infinity Park (5,000) | Glendale (Denver) | 2012–13[b] |
 Dubai | The Sevens (50,000) | Dubai | 2012–13 |
| Australia | Spotless Stadium (24,000) | Sydney | 2016–17 |
 Japan | Mikuni World Stadium Kitakyushu (15,066) | Kitakyushu | 2016–17 |
 Canada | Westhills Stadium (1,600) | Langford (Victoria) | 2014–15 |
 France | Stade Jean-Bouin (20,000) | Paris | 2015–16 |
^ Refers to the first event hosted by that country, not necessarily at the current site.
^ The USA did not host an event in the 2017–18 women's season due to its hosting of the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens, although it hosted the corresponding men's Sevens Series event in that season.
Former hosts of current events
| Event | Venue | City | First held | Last held |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Sydney Football Stadium [a] | Sydney | 2016–17 | 2017–18 |
| France | Stade Gabriel Montpied | Clermont-Ferrand | 2015–16 | 2016–17 |
| USA | BBVA Compass Stadium | Houston | 2012–13 | |
| Fifth Third Bank Stadium | Kennesaw, Georgia (Atlanta) | 2013–14 | 2015–16 | |
| Sam Boyd Stadium | Whitney, Nevada (Las Vegas) | 2016–17 | ||
^ Most recently known for sponsorship reasons as Allianz Stadium; to be demolished and replaced by a new stadium on the same site.
Previous events
| Event | Stadium (Capacity) | City | Joined | Ended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 China | Guangzhou University City Stadium (50,000) | Guangzhou | 2012–13 | 2013–14 |
 São Paulo | Arena Barueri (35,000) | Barueri (São Paulo) | 2013–14 | 2015–16 |
 London | Twickenham Stoop (14,800) | London | 2014–15 | |
 Netherlands | NRCA Stadium (10,000) | Amsterdam | 2012–13 | 2014–15 |
Sponsorship
Unlike the men's Sevens Series, which has enjoyed title sponsorship by banking giant HSBC in recent years, the Women's Sevens Series did not have a title sponsor until 2015–16. HSBC is now the title sponsor of both the men's and women's series.
Results by season
Summary of the top six placegetters for each series:
| Series | Season | Events |  Champion |  Second |  Third | Fourth | Fifth | Sixth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | 2012–13 | 4 |  New Zealand |  England |  Canada |  United States |  Russia |  Australia |
| II | 2013–14 | 5 | New Zealand | Australia | Canada | England | Russia |  Spain |
| III | 2014–15 | 6 | New Zealand | Canada | Australia | England | United States |  France |
| IV | 2015–16 | 5 | Australia | New Zealand | Canada | England | France | United States |
| V | 2016–17 | 6 | New Zealand | Australia | Canada |  Fiji | Russia | United States |
| VI | 2017–18 | 5 | Australia | New Zealand | France | Canada | United States | Russia |
Format
Rugby sevens is a version of rugby union, invented in Scotland in the 19th century, with seven players each side on a normal-sized field. Games are much shorter, generally lasting only seven minutes each half, and tend to be very fast-paced, open affairs. The game is quicker and higher-scoring than 15-a-side rugby and the rules are simpler, which explains part of its appeal. It also gives players the space for superb feats of individual skill. Sevens is traditionally played in a two-day tournament format.
The women's series features 12 teams in each tournament. The remaining participants are invited on the basis of regional tournament rankings.[7]
Each tournament uses a format similar to that of the men's series, adjusted for the lower number of teams, with pool play followed by three separate knockout tournaments.
Core teams
Prior to the inaugural season, a group of "core teams" that are guaranteed places in all series events was announced. This concept is taken directly from the men's series. Unlike the men's series, which features 15 core teams as of the 2012–13 season, the women's series began with only six.
For the 2013–14 series, the number of core teams was increased to eight, all reached the quarter final from the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens:[2]
Brazil was invited to participate in all events for the 2013–14 series. This was part of an IRB initiative to help jump-start women's rugby development in the country, which is set to host the 2016 Summer Olympics.[2]
For the 2014–15 series, the number of core teams increased to 11, and qualification was extensively revamped, changing to a system more similar to that currently used in the men's World Series. The top seven teams in the 2013–14 series retained core team status. Four additional core teams were determined in a 12-team qualifying tournament held in Hong Kong on 12–13 September 2014.[8] World Rugby did not initially announce full details of the qualification system for future series, but eventually determined that the top nine teams from the 2014–15 series would retain their status for 2015–16, with a world qualifier following in September 2015.[9]
| Core teams | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
| Brazil | • | ||||||
| Canada | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
| China | • | • | |||||
| England | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
 Fiji | • | • | • | • | • | ||
| France | • | • | • | • | • | ||
 Ireland | • | • | • | • | • | ||
| Japan | • | • | |||||
| Netherlands | • | ||||||
| New Zealand | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
 Russia | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
 South Africa | • | ||||||
 Spain | • | • | • | • | • | • | |
| United States | • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
| Total | 6[7] | 8 | 11 | 11[10] | 11 | 11 | 11 |
Player awards by season
| Season | Rounds | Top Scorer | Most tries | Player of the Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2012–13 | 4 | Portia Woodman (105) | Portia Woodman (21) | Kayla McAlister |
2013–14 | 5 | Emilee Cherry (195) | Emilee Cherry (33) | Emilee Cherry |
2014–15 | 6 | Portia Woodman (?) | Portia Woodman (52) | Portia Woodman |
2015–16 | 5 | Ghislaine Landry (158) | Portia Woodman (24) | Charlotte Caslick[11] |
2016–17 | 6 | Ghislaine Landry (269) | Michaela Blyde (40) | Michaela Blyde |
2017–18 | 5 | Portia Woodman (215) | Portia Woodman (43) | Michaela Blyde |
Points schedule
The overall winner of the series was determined by points gained from the standings across all events in the season.[12] The points schedule is similar to that of the men's Series, with the differences noted above.[13][14]
In Series V, 2016–17 the awards changed. At each event teams compete for gold, silver and bronze medals while lower ranked teams will contest a new Challenge Trophy competition.[15] In the first four Series teams played, after the pool stage, for a Cup (1st four teams), a Plate (second 4 teams) and a Bowl (last 4 teams)
Twelve teams competed at each event; nine being "core" teams, with three teams invited to participate in particular events (similar to previous women's series as well as the men's counterpart).
| Place | Status | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Cup winner and gold medalist | 20 |
| Cup runner-up and silver medalist | 18 |
| Cup third-place play-off winner and bronze medalist | 16 |
| 4 | Cup third-place play-off loser | 14 |
| 5 | Cup 5th-place play-off winner | 12 |
| 6 | Cup 5th-place play-off loser | 10 |
| 7 | Cup 7th-place play-off winner | 8 |
| 8 | Cup 7th-place play-off loser | 6 |
| 9 | Challenge trophy winner | 4 |
| 10 | Challenge trophy runner-up | 3 |
| 11 | Challenge trophy 11th-place play-off winner | 2 |
| 12 | Challenge trophy 11th-place play-off loser | 1 |
Tie-breaking: Should teams finish equal on series points at the end of the season, the tiebreakers are the same as those in the men's series:[13]
- Overall scoring differential in the season.
- Total try count in the season.
- If neither produces a winner, the teams are tied.
See also
- Rugby sevens
World Rugby Sevens Series (for men)- Rugby World Cup Sevens
- Rugby sevens at the Summer Olympics
Notes and references
^ "HSBC partners with World Rugby for record-breaking sevens properties" (Press release). World Rugby. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015..mw-parser-output cite.citationfont-style:inherit.mw-parser-output qquotes:"""""""'""'".mw-parser-output code.cs1-codecolor:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-free abackground:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-registration abackground:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-subscription abackground:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registrationcolor:#555.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration spanborder-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-errordisplay:none;font-size:100%.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-errorfont-size:100%.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-formatfont-size:95%.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-leftpadding-left:0.2em.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-rightpadding-right:0.2em
^ abc "Schedule announced for 2013/14 Women's Series" (Press release). International Rugby Board. 22 August 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
^ "Host cities announced for women's series" (Press release). International Rugby Board. 31 July 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
^ "Sevens Series 2018 to finish in Paris as women's dates confirmed". World Rugby. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
^ "Schedule confirmed for HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2019" (Press release). World Rugby. 7 July 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
^ "Sydney 7s has a new home in 2019" (Press release). Rugby Australia. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
^ ab "IRB announces Women's Sevens World Series" (Press release). International Rugby Board. 4 October 2012. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
^ "Women's Sevens Series places up for grabs" (Press release). International Rugby Board. 8 July 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
^ "Team GB secure Olympic qualification as Canada claim Amsterdam Sevens" (Press release). World Rugby. 23 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2015.
^ "Japan and Ireland qualify for Women's Sevens Series" (Press release). World Rugby. 20 August 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
^ "Caslick crowned Women's Sevens Player of the Year by World Rugby". Daily Telegraph. 4 November 2016.
^ "Women's Sevens Series tournament rules". World Rugby. 2016. Archived from the original on 30 May 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
^ ab "Women's Sevens Series Tournament Rules". World Rugby. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
^ "IRB Sevens World Series: Rules". International Rugby Board. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
^ "Men's and women's sevens winners to strike gold". World Rugby.org. 3 October 2016.
External links
- Official website
