adminZIMBABWE Sevens sides will next June travel to Europe after World Rugby announced that Monaco and Dublin will host the final rugby Sevens qualification tournaments for the sport’s Olympic Games debut in Rio de Janeiro next year.
Both the Zimbabwe Cheetahs and the Pangolins sides failed to earn automatic qualification through Africa’s solitary ticket to the 2016 Games when they lost out in their respective Africa Cup tournaments, but they are next June headed for the much tougher qualifier play-offs.
The Stade Louis II in Monaco, France, will host the men’s tournament on June 18 and 19, while the Irish capital’s UCD Bowl will stage the women’s competition a week later on June 25 and 26.
Eleven of the 12 teams in both categories have already been confirmed, but 16 men’s teams will battle in Monaco for the one final slot remaining and these include Uruguay, Chile, Canada and Mexico from the Americas region, Spain, Russia, Germany and Ireland from Europe.
Hong Kong, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tonga and Samoa come from the Asian region while the African trio of Zimbabwe, Morocco and Tunisia complete the 16 with the winner from this tournament going on to join Fiji, South Africa, New Zealand, Great Britain, Argentina, USA, France, Japan, Australia, Kenya and hosts Brazil.
And just like the men’s qualifier process, the women’s category will also have 16 teams fighting for the sole ticket in Dublin and these are Uruguay, Argentina, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago from the Americas region.
From Europe will come Russia, Spain, Ireland, Portugal, the trio of Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe representing Africa while Samoa, Cook Islands, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong and China come in from the Asian region and the winner will join New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Colombia, USA, France, Fiji, Japan and Brazil.
In a statement, World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset said:
“With the road to Rio having reached and inspired new audiences, we are delighted that Monaco will host some of the world’s finest men’s teams as they compete to claim a coveted final Olympic qualification place. I would like to thank Prince Albert of Monaco for his enthusiasm and determination to bring rugby sevens to an iconic stadium in a sporting city and we look forward to showcasing rugby sevens at its entertaining best.
“There’s a real excitement around Ireland hosting the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2017 and, following on from August’s terrific qualifying tournament for the World Rugby Women’s Series, the UCD Bowl in Dublin has proved to be an excellent venue where fans will be treated to some top class women’s sevens next June, as teams battle it out for the final place at Rio 2016. These final repechage tournaments are the culmination of a long process that gives all our member unions the opportunity to participate and potentially qualify for the Olympic Games. This pathway reflects the universality and global nature of our sport.” – Sportszone..
Online Reporter