http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1264&storyid=694237
Back to roots in the Sevens
December 29, 2003
FOUR foundation rugby league clubs have been granted entry in the qualifying tournament for the World Sevens next month.
North Sydney, South Sydney, Wests and Balmain – all original 1908 clubs – will attempt to secure a place in the sevens tournament in the lead-up event at St Marys on January 21.
The teams are currently fixtures in the Premier League competition and have been allowed into the qualifying tournament, to be staged by the International Rugby League Federation at Western Weekender Stadium.
The quartet will play against the likes of the NASCA Aborigines, Italy, Japan, the Cook Islands, NZ Maori and American Samoa, with the winners of the semi-finals granted wild card entries into the World Sevens.
North Sydney internationals Greg Florimo and Gary Larson will be in charge of coaching the Bears outfit, who have been training for the past six weeks.
While Larson is expected to remain on the sideline, the same cannot be said for Florimo, who only two months ago played for Italy against Greece in Sydney.
"We're not sure whether Greg plans to pull on the boots or not yet," tournament manager Tas Bateri said.
"But interest in the tournament has been enormous already. We're up to 12 teams for the qualifying tournament this time and look like going to 18 or 24 for the following year."
The draw for the World Sevens was officially released yesterday with 26 teams set to play 52 games over the weekend of January 24-25 at Aussie Stadium.
The tournament was hailed a huge success last year when Parramatta were crowned World Sevens champions, collecting the $100,000 winners cheque for the second year in a row.
The Eels' chances of making it a hat-track appear promising with player-of-the-tournament Nathan Hindmarsh granted permission by the NRL to play.
Hindmarsh was suspended for a dangerous throw after the Eels' round 26 clash with Penrith last season but has been cleared to play in the Australian Rugby League-sanctioned tournament.
The NSW and Australian secondrower will serve his one-match suspension during the Eels' first trial.
Parramatta will open the tournament against Cronulla on Saturday, January 24, with the performance of the Sharks under the guidance of new coach Stuart Raper bound to be scrutinised.
Tournament director Colin Love hopes to emulate the success enjoyed by the previous sevens tournament in Sydney last January.
"Whether it was Russia against the Cowboys or the Roosters against the Broncos every game last year kept the crowd entertained and I think we can expect more of the same this time," Love said.
"With the fast action and the colour that all the different competing nations bring to the tournament it really is a great event and a top way to spend the Australia Day weekend."
The sevens tournament will have a different feel to it this time around, with teams only allowed four tackles each and a bonus point to be awarded for every try scored under the posts.
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Must be a slow news day. Still it is good to ge an article in. If only the Caring Understading Ninties Type'S (think of it as an acronym) at the Telegraph would rightly put OUR name instead of SOUTHS.
Back to roots in the Sevens
December 29, 2003
FOUR foundation rugby league clubs have been granted entry in the qualifying tournament for the World Sevens next month.
North Sydney, South Sydney, Wests and Balmain – all original 1908 clubs – will attempt to secure a place in the sevens tournament in the lead-up event at St Marys on January 21.
The teams are currently fixtures in the Premier League competition and have been allowed into the qualifying tournament, to be staged by the International Rugby League Federation at Western Weekender Stadium.
The quartet will play against the likes of the NASCA Aborigines, Italy, Japan, the Cook Islands, NZ Maori and American Samoa, with the winners of the semi-finals granted wild card entries into the World Sevens.
North Sydney internationals Greg Florimo and Gary Larson will be in charge of coaching the Bears outfit, who have been training for the past six weeks.
While Larson is expected to remain on the sideline, the same cannot be said for Florimo, who only two months ago played for Italy against Greece in Sydney.
"We're not sure whether Greg plans to pull on the boots or not yet," tournament manager Tas Bateri said.
"But interest in the tournament has been enormous already. We're up to 12 teams for the qualifying tournament this time and look like going to 18 or 24 for the following year."
The draw for the World Sevens was officially released yesterday with 26 teams set to play 52 games over the weekend of January 24-25 at Aussie Stadium.
The tournament was hailed a huge success last year when Parramatta were crowned World Sevens champions, collecting the $100,000 winners cheque for the second year in a row.
The Eels' chances of making it a hat-track appear promising with player-of-the-tournament Nathan Hindmarsh granted permission by the NRL to play.
Hindmarsh was suspended for a dangerous throw after the Eels' round 26 clash with Penrith last season but has been cleared to play in the Australian Rugby League-sanctioned tournament.
The NSW and Australian secondrower will serve his one-match suspension during the Eels' first trial.
Parramatta will open the tournament against Cronulla on Saturday, January 24, with the performance of the Sharks under the guidance of new coach Stuart Raper bound to be scrutinised.
Tournament director Colin Love hopes to emulate the success enjoyed by the previous sevens tournament in Sydney last January.
"Whether it was Russia against the Cowboys or the Roosters against the Broncos every game last year kept the crowd entertained and I think we can expect more of the same this time," Love said.
"With the fast action and the colour that all the different competing nations bring to the tournament it really is a great event and a top way to spend the Australia Day weekend."
The sevens tournament will have a different feel to it this time around, with teams only allowed four tackles each and a bonus point to be awarded for every try scored under the posts.
___________
Must be a slow news day. Still it is good to ge an article in. If only the Caring Understading Ninties Type'S (think of it as an acronym) at the Telegraph would rightly put OUR name instead of SOUTHS.
