Crest Na Iri Trophy Expands

An expanded Crest Na Iri Trophy has been announced for the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens.

Sixteen women’s teams, up from 12 last year, are expected to compete for the $10,000 first prize at Lawaqa Park on November 13-15.

"We are proud to support the growth of women's rugby in Fiji and thrilled to see this expansion to 16 teams," said Chris Zaayman, General Manager Goodman Fielder (Fiji) at today’s announcement. "Next season is Olympic qualifying year and the Crest Na Iri Trophy will be a vital part of the development of the Olympic programme for a number of teams."

Telecom Fijiana, the defending champion, and Aussie Pearls, the 2012 winners, are the highest-profile teams announced to date, with both being likely to qualify for Rio 2016.

Other teams confirmed for the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens are the national teams of New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea and Australian clubs Sunnybank, Redlands, Highlanders, Sydney Fiji Ranadi and Pacific 2 Blues, while two more overseas teams are showing interest.

Marist Sea Hawks, Lautoka, Striders and Lady Babas are the local teams signed up so far.

Last year's Crest Na Iri Trophy was won by Fijiana, 19-7 over Marist Seahawks.

“The girls are very excited to be defending the Crest Na Iri Trophy and we are looking forward to the challenge of qualifying for the Olympics,” said Rusila Nasiga, captain, Telecom Fijiana. “The team is grateful to Crest for their support of the development of women’s sevens.”

Telecom Fijiana will attempt to become a core team on the IRB Women’s Sevens World Series at a 12-team tournament in Hong Kong on September 13-14. The top four teams on next season’s six-leg WSWS will automatically qualify for Rio 2016.

"The expanded Crest Na Iri Trophy is a positive sign for women's rugby and a fantastic opportunity for local talent to shine ahead of the critical Olympic qualifying year,” said Tournament Director Nick Jordan. "The Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens is the premier tournament for women in Fiji and the support of Crest will again showcase Fiji's best players to a global audience and continue the development of women's rugby in Fiji.

“We are thrilled to welcome Crest back to the sponsor family.”

Meanwhile, with 100 days to go being celebrated tomorrow, Jordan said planning for the fifth Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens was well underway.

Approximately 15 overseas teams - the most in any tournament in Fiji - as well as international referees, media and special guests are expected to bring significant tourism dollars into the country.

Bayleys Real Estate (Fiji) is the title sponsor of the tournament while Outrigger on the Lagoon · Fiji, The Naviti Resort, Bedarra Beach Inn and Gecko’s Resort are all Official Resort Partner Hotels.

Further sponsor announcements are expected this week.

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Fiji Coral Coast Rugby Sevens

Champion Fiji sevens teams battling it out in the Fiji Coral Coast Sevens tournament include:
 

• Waimanu sevens team, one of the top teams in the country and the runner up to the Digicel sevens team that won the Suva International sevens in January 2010. The club plays under the Naitasiri Rugby Union and produces many of Fiji's finest players, such as Rokini Kiliraki, Sailosi Naiteqe and Lemeki Duidomo
• Red Rock, one of the top Suva teams, which has produced players like Lepani Nabuliwaqa
• Police Suva/Lautoka/Labasa/Mobile, the police rugby teams always provide competitive sevens rugby around the country and scoop most prizes
• Prison Team, Suva/Lautoka, a top team and once the champions of sevens competition around the country
• Nawaka, from the Nadi district, is also one of the best sevens teams in the country
• Marist, a Suva club team, which has also held the title of top sevens team in the country

Fiji Coral Coast Sevens tournament matches will be played at Lawaqa Park, Coral Coast

Nadroga, the club hosting the event, is a household name in the history of rugby in Fiji. This team is currently the champion of Fiji rugby and holds the Farebrother Trophy and the Digicel Cup. Games will be played at Nadroga Rugby's, Lawaqa Park, one of the best rugby grounds in the country and home to the IRB funded High Performance Unit for Fiji Rugby.

Fiji Sevens team is one of the most successful rugby sevens teams in the world

The national Fiji Sevens team is one of the most admired and successful rugby sevens teams in the world and is famous for its speed and finesse on the field. Fiji is the only nation to have won the Rugby World Cup Sevens twice, in 1997 and 2005 and it has won the Hong Kong Sevens a record nine times since 1976.

The Fiji national rugby sevens team competes in the World Series Sevens and the Rugby World Cup Sevens. As a nation, Fiji takes its rugby very seriously, celebrating with a national holiday after its World Cup victories.

Fiji Sevens players considered international greats

Sevens rugby in Fiji is always the feeder team to the National fifteen side and has repeatedly and consistently been shown to produce some of Fiji's finest players. These players are renowned in world rugby and have made their name alongside some international greats. Brilliant Fiji players include Rupeni Caucau, who is one of the world's fastest wingers, Sireli Bobo, Filimoni Delasau and Waisale Serevi, considered a legendary sevens player.