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Chile Rugby / Official
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After an extensive consultation process, the remaining stages of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series for men and women in Langford, London, Paris, Singapore and Hong Kong have been canceled due to the continuous and dynamic global pandemic of Covid-19, thus giving The 2020 season ended early.
The decision was made after detailed and constructive dialogue with the host unions and participating unions, prioritizing the health and well-being of the rugby community and the general public, in line with the advice of relevant health authorities and national governments.
New Zealand will receive the men’s and women’s titles having been leading the positions when the pandemic interrupted the Series, having successfully completed five of the eight women’s tournaments and six of the ten men’s.
The ‘Black Ferns’ climbed to the top of the podium in four of the five stages of the women’s circuit, while the ‘All Blacks Sevens’ won three titles and finished five times on the podium in the six completed stages of the men’s circuit.
The Olympic champions Australia finished second and Canada third among the women. In the boys, South Africa, champion of the circuit in 2018, took second place, while Fiji, Olympic champion and owner of the world title in 2019, is third. There will be no descents from the men’s and women’s circuits in 2020.
The final events of HSBC World Rugby Challenger Series of men and women will also not take place due to the pandemic. The Challenger Series had been launched by World Rugby this year to push the development of rugby sevens globally, especially in emerging countries; its objective remains a key priority, offering a promotional path to the highest category.
Japan stayed, then, with the Challenger Series after the two disputed tournaments, obtaining gold and bronze in the stages disputed at the beginning of 2020 in Chile and Uruguay. The Japanese country will join HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2021 as the 16th fixed team.
There will be no promotion to the women’s circuit this year as the first Challenger Series tournament scheduled for March 28 and 29 in Stellenbosch, South Africa will not be possible.
As a result of these amendments, the draw for the Tokyo Olympics will be adapted including the results of the 2021 season to ensure the strongest and most accurate representation of the current level as the Games begin in July 2021.
World Rugby President Sir Bill Beaumont said: “While it is disappointing for players, supporters, organizers and all involved to have to cancel these events due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the health and well-being of the rugby community and the Entire society continues to be the main priority ”, he assured.
“Congratulations to New Zealand for receiving the men’s and women’s titles after their outstanding and consistent performances before the start of the pandemic, and to Japan for being crowned champion of the first Challenger Series, securing a place in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2021. “He said.
HSBC Brand Partnerships Director Jonathan Castleman said: “As long-standing global partners of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, we fully support the decision to cancel tournaments in response to the continuing impact of the coronavirus. The health, safety and well-being of the players, supporters and everyone who works at the events should be the priority. We will work closely with our partner World Rugby to assist in rebuilding the sport, ensuring that as soon as it is safe to do so, the rugby sevens will again entertain and inspire communities around the world, ”he concluded.
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