Fiji set standard high in day one of Vancouver 7s

Fiji players preparing to play USA in the final pool A match. Photo: World Rugby

Day one of round six on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series men’s circuit in Vancouver, Canada, threw up some great rugby on Saturday.

In the end, Fiji, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina won their pools to progress to the Cup quarter-finals at BC Place along with runners-up England, Samoa, Australia and France.

World Rugby bans hurdling in wake of controversial Fijian Sowakula try

Pita Gus Sowakula hurdled Aaron Smith to score in the Chiefs v Highlanders Super Rugby Pacific match. Photo: James Allan, Getty Image

Anyone wanting to copy Pita Gus Sowakula’s stunning hurdling try is out of luck, with World Rugby ruling that jumping over opponents will now be deemed illegal.

The Chiefs No 8 scored an athletic five-pointer in his side’s opening-round Super Rugby Pacific win over the Highlanders in Queenstown, leaping above the attempted tackle of Aaron Smith on his way to the line.

World Rugby claim differs from local stories on Fiji taking part in Malaga Sevens

The captains of the teams taking part in the Malaga event pose for a photo together. Photo: World Rugby

A story released today in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens series, the Fiji men’s and women’s teams were not traveling to Malaga for the opening tournament of the Spanish leg this weekend.

“Fiji’s men’s and women’s teams were unable to travel to Malaga and have not been replaced, meaning opponents in their respective group matches will receive three match points for a “bye” and a score of 0-0 will be recorded for those games,” the World Rugby story read.

Australia preferred choice for 2027 RWC

Australia is working with the RWC Limited board to finalize a hosting model. Photo TRC

World Rugby has announced Australia as the preferred candidate to host Rugby World Cup 2027.

The announcement follows a World Rugby Council meeting where Council members voted to accept a recommendation from the Rugby World Cup Limited Board to work exclusively with Australia to finalise a hosting model for the 2027 edition of the tournament.

After two years Kiwis atop world rankings

The Flying Fijians score a try against New Zealand in the first Test match on July 10. Photo: Photosport

New Zealand has returned to the top of world rugby rankings today displacing Rugby World Cup champions South Africa since October, 2019.

With the results of the Rugby Championship dictating terms for the top three ranked teams, the Kiwis four straight wins and thanks to the Wallabies two straights wins against the Springboks, opened the door for neighbours, the All Blacks to sneak in.