HSBC World Rugby Sevens Women’s Series: Kitakyushu

The 4th round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Women’s Series 2019 takes place in Japan this weekend in Kitakyushu.

The Black Ferns, New Zealand’s women’s 7s team, currently have a healthy lead at the top of the standings with USA, Canada and Australia in a tight contest for the next three spots on the World Sevens Series.

The New Zealand 7s ladies are also chasing down their record-equalling 37th winning match in a row, which they previously set in 2014-15.

China is the only core team representing Asia, while Japan plays this weekend as the invitational team. China currently lies in 11th spot on the series log and find themselves in Pool A with New Zealand, France and Russia.

JRFU President Tadashi Okamura told the World Rugby Sevens Series website “The HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series will be held in Kitakyushu again this year for the third consecutive year. I am very pleased not only this world-class tournament will be held in Japan but also it will give an opportunity to players and management of participating unions to experience Japanese culture during the tournament.

“The Japan women’s national rugby sevens team, the Sakura Sevens, will participate in the tournament as an invitational team this time, however, they are aiming to be promoted and be a core team for next year’s series following the qualifier which will be held before the HSBC Kitakyushu Sevens 2019.”

The 2020 Tokyo Olympics have recently confirmed the dates for the Olympic Rugby 7s. The top four in the World Rugby Sevens 2019 will automatically qualify for Toko 2020.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Women’s Series Kitakyushu: Pools

• Pool A: New Zealand, France, Russia, Japan
• Pool B: Australia, Canada, Spain, China
• Pool C: USA, Ireland, Fiji, England
• Date: 20-21st April 2019
• Venue: Kitakyushu, Japan