‘Sauna’ sevens as Singapore returns as host of latest leg in World Series
After the magic of last weekend’s Hong Kong Sevens, Fiji and New Zealand resume battle for supremacy in the Lion City
Top-level sevens returns to steamy Singapore for the first time in a decade this weekend as rugby looks for another foothold in Asia and teams firm up their plans for the Rio Olympics.
A week after Fiji were crowned Hong Kong Sevens champions for a record 12th time, two-time Rugby World Cup-winner Sonny Bill Williams will press his Olympic bid with New Zealand but Australia’s Nick “Honey Badger” Cummins is out with an ankle injury as the sevens series nears its conclusion.
After the 10-year hiatus, the event has changed a lot, as has Singapore
With only two more stops after Singapore, Fiji lead the 10-leg world series from New Zealand after they established themselves as Olympic favourites by beating their rivals in last week’s Hong Kong final.
Organisers will keep a close eye on ticket sales for the event on Saturday and Sunday at the 55,000-seat National Stadium, as Singapore tries to make a name for itself on the sevens circuit.
“After the 10-year hiatus, the event has changed a lot, as has Singapore,” Rugby Singapore chairman Low Teo Ping said.
“Sevens rugby is now an Olympic sport, and Singapore now has a ultra-modern high-tech stadium to host the tournament,” he said.
