Electrifying International Rugby Sevens Hits NSW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday 24 October

ALMOST 100 capped international sevens players bring their electrifying skills to the Fitness First Central Coast Sevens tomorrow in regional NSW.

Fijian stars Jerry Tuwai, Api Domalailai and Savenaca Rawaca - all winners at the recent Gold Coast Sevens - line up for favourites Daveta while All Black Sevens players Matt Clutterbuck (Rangataua) and George Tilsley (Borneo Eagles) also shape up at Morry Breen Field, Wyong.

Mat Turner (England), Richie Pugh (Wales), Brian Sefenaia (Australia), Rocky Khan (New Zealand) and Emosi Vucago (Fiji) are among the other former internationals in the 16-team men's competition.

IRB Women's Sevens Player of the Year Emilee Cherry and fellow Aussie Pearls Elia Green, Amy Turner and Charlotte Caslick join Canada's Jen Kish, Magali Harvey and Mandy Marchak  as well as Deven Owsiany, Ryan Carlyle and Kaelene Lundstrum (all Stars Rugby USA) as some of the world-class women's players in the star-studded field.

Four of the top ten women's teams in the world - the others are Brazil and Fiji - will send shadow national sides to Wyong.

The tournament presents a record $12,000 first prize for the Kinesio Cup which was acknowledged by ambassador, Federal Member for Dobell, Karen McNamara.

"The Central Coast Women’s Rugby Sevens Tournament is leading the way toward achieving equality in sport and recognising the outstanding level of competition this women’s tournament delivers," she said recently.  "This tournament is getting bigger and better each year and I am delighted to involved and promoting equality in sport.

Destination NSW and the Wyong Shire Council are also major supporters of the tournament which started from humble beginnings in 2009.

"This year's competition is shaping up as the most exciting tournament in the history of the Central Coast Sevens," said founder and Tournament Director Craig Morgan.  "Some of the strongest Sevens teams in the world are set to ignite the field over two action-packed days."

“The event is expected to attract close to 1,500 visitors from across Australia and from countries including New Zealand, Fiji, Malaysia, Japan, Brazil, the USA and Canada,” added Rob Stokes, Minister for the Central Coast.

"These visitors are expected to generate more than $600,000 in visitor expenditure for the local and State economy."

Off the pitch the star attraction is Sir Gordon Tietjens, the legendary New Zealand coach, witnessing the tournament for the first time.

"There are a lot of Fijian teams here who play the game week in and week out however the New Zealand sides will be in with a chance if they have done the hard yards," said Tietjens, who is renowned for his gruelling fitness sessions.

"Wellington have a fairly strong side who went particularly well in a tournament last week however it depends on how conditioned the players are," he continued.  "Rangataua are a good team who played last weekend and would have been disappointed (losing in the quarter finals) so they will be looking to improve.

"There are players in the College Rifles and Borneo Eagles sides who are great ball players and have a great opportunity to step up and play the game at the higher level."

The IRB Hall of Famer said he would be pleased if he could note one or two player's names for New Zealand contracts either this season or in the future.

"George (Tilsley), for example, played in the last IRB tournament and is looking for more game time at this level while Rocky (Khan) is determined to get back in the All Blacks Sevens.

"Matt (Clutterbuck) is a very good player, very conditioned and menatally tough and he's a guy also looking to get more games to cement his place in the All Blacks Sevens team.

Tietjens said he was also looking forward to the women's tournament, especially the Wasps from his home region of Bay of Plenty.

"Coach David Mays brings a young team sprinkled with international players so it will be interesting to see how they perform," he continued.  "The Olympics makes Sevens really exciting and no doubt it is a dream for some of these athletes to go to the Olympics."

Other coaches of note are former internationals Orene Ai'i (Stars), Scott Waldrom (Wellington), Matua Parkinson (Rangataua), Ed Cocker (Borneo Eagles).

Play gets underway at the Wyong Leagues Club at 10:05 on Saturday.  Matches are livestreamed on http://www.centralcoastsevens.com.au/

An indigenous welcome, acrobats and live music are also on the schedule for the weekend.

Pools for the Fitness First Central Coast Sevens, Wyong Leagues Club, 25-26 October

Men's

Pool A: Wellington (NZL), Red Rock (FIJ), Te Whanau (AUS), Stars Rugby (USA)

Pool B: Daveta (FIJ), Tribe (USA), College Rifles (NZL), Manly (AUS)

Pool C: Yamacia (FIJ), Brasil (BRA), Sunnybank (AUS), Tiger Rugby (USA)

Pool D: Rangatua (NZL), Borneo Eagles (MAL), Warringah (AUS), Nabua (FIJ)

Women's

Pool A: Aussie Pearls (AUS), Wasps (NZL), Stars Rugby (USA), Sydney Fiji Ranadi (AUS)

Pool B: Maple Leafs (CAN), Sunnybank (AUS), Te Whanau (AUS), Greater Sydney Rams (AUS)

Pool C: Fijiana (FIJ), Rugirl (JPN), Maroubra Magic (AUS), Central Coast Academy (AUS)

Pool D: Brasil (BRA), Tribe (AUS), Graduates (AUS), Melbourne City Silverbacks (AUS)

Previous Champions

2009 Burwood Blues (M), Sydney University (F)

2010, Warwick Bombers (M), Viqueens (F)

2011, Sunnybank (M), Aussie Pearls (F)

2012, Westfield Barbarians (M), Sunnybank (F)

2013, Northern Suburbs (M), Tribe (F)

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