Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
As the world continues to absorb the men’s World Cup in Japan, the new season of the World Sevens Series will begin at Infinity Park in Glendale this weekend. It’s the women who start things off as they play the first of a record eight events on the 2019-2020 circuit, and one of only two stops that are separate from the men’s circuit.
Having already secured their spots for Tokyo 2020, the three core sides from the Americas – Brazil, Canada, and the USA – will be using the season to fine tune their preparations for the second Olympic Rugby Sevens event. Brazil returned to core status after winning the Hong Kong Qualifier tournament earlier this year.
Among the story lines to watch this season will be the continued development of Brazilian flyer Bianca Silva, the return of Elissa Alarie to the Canadian lineup for the first time since 2016, and the arrival of breakout USA star Eti Haungatau on the Sevens Series after impressing for the XVs side earlier this year. All will be taking part at Glendale this weekend.
The two-day tournament kicks off on Saturday at 10am local time. A complete fixture list can be seen here. Live broadcasts are available on the CBC Sports Website in Canada, NBC Sports Gold in the USA, and the World Rugby digital media channels for the rest of the world.
BRAZIL
Andressa Alves, Luiza Campos, Isadora Cerullo, Eshyllen Coimbra, Thalia Costa, Dayana Dakar, Raquel Kochhann (capt.), Mariana Nicolau, Bianca Silva, Marcelle Souza, Claudia Teles, Rafaela Zanellato
CANADA
Delaney Aikens, Elissa Alarie, Pam Buisa, Emma Chown, Caroline Crossley, Bianca Farella, Julia Greenshields, Ghislaine Landry (capt.), Kaili Lukan, Kayla Moleschi, Breanne Nicholas, Karen Paquin, Charity Williams
USA
Lauren Doyle (co-capt.), Cheta Emba, Abby Gustaitis (co-capt.), Eti Haungatau, Nicole Heavirland, Alev Kelter, Kristi Kirshe, Ilona Maher, Jordan Matyas, Kasey McCravey, Stephanie Rovetti, Naya Tapper
