Big Guns Lining Up for Heineken Hottest 7s In The World
Tournament organisers are delighted to announce that the 2012 Heineken Hottest 7’s in the World will once again see Darwin play host to elite Sevens teams competing for $67,500 prizemoney. Competition will take place at Rugby Park Marrara on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd January.
The lucrative prize money on offer continues to position the Heineken Hottest 7’s in the World as one the most financially attractive and successful international Rugby 7’s events in the World, outside of the IRB World Series.
With the successful introduction of two Men’s Divisions in 2011, the structure will feature the top seeded teams (1-16) competing for the Croc and Buff trophies. The remaining Men’s teams (seeds 17-32) will compete for the Barra and Gecko competitions. 12 Women’s teams will compete for the Jabiru trophy, the highest number of women’s teams in the tournament’s history, reflecting the recent growth of women’s rugby nationally.
The competition is structured so teams are allocated into Pools of 3 or 4 teams as per the seeded rankings. Each team will play the other teams in their Pool to determine final placing for the finals. Pool matches are all played on Saturday 21 January.
Sunday’s matches will commence the knock out stages of the tournament, with the two divisions splitting into four separate competitions and playing elimination Quarter-finals. In Men’s Division 1, the two highest placed teams in each Pool from Day 1 will progress to the Croc competition (1st 8), the other two teams will contest the Buff (2nd 8). Likewise in Men’s Division 2, the top two teams from each pool will form the Barra (3rd 8) competition, and the lower ranked teams will play for the Gecko (4th 8) trophy.
This year, for the first time, there will be a competition for players over 100kg, to be known as the Parap Tavern Tight5 division. To date, four teams have nominated for the inaugural competition, the Bush Turkeyz Fat 7s, Barbarians, Palmerston and South Darwin. The Tight5 division will be played on Sunday 22nd only.
The following elite teams are on their way to competing in the Heineken Hottest 7s in the World:
MEN
SRC Borneo Eagles
The two-time defending champions have dominated recent competition, and will aim to become the first team ever to win three consecutive Hottest 7s tournaments. The Eagles team, based out of Borneo, traditionally features a truly International playing list, including a number of players with National team experience from New Zealand and Samoa. The Eagles will enter the 2012 tournament as the number 1 seeded team, and are favored to again win the major
prize
NewStar
NewStar is a relatively new team to the Australian 7s circuit, yet have been highly impressive in recent domestic tournaments. Formed by the NewStar Rugby Management Group, the team features some Australia’s best young rugby talent, and several contracted professional players. NewStar claimed some prominent scalps in 2011, including that of the Australian team at the Noosa 7s.
Daveta
Formerly known as Davetalevu, Deveta are the most successful team in the history of Hottest 7’s. The Fijian-based team won the 2011 Singapore Cricket Club (SCC) International Rugby Sevens, beating the Borneo Eagles 29-19 in the Final. This team will also be carrying several star Fijian national players part of the IRB series, and has defeated the Borneo Eagles on a number of occasions, notably at their home tournament in Borneo in 2010. Daveta will start the 2012 tournament as the number 2 seed.
Brumbies
The young Brumbies team will feature several players who are on the fringe of the Australian 7’s squad, and others who are pressing for selection to the Brumbies Super Rugby squad. While extremely talented, the team will field some players with limited experience in the modified 7s format.
Aussie Thunder
The Australian team is in a rebuilding phase and will send a young team to Darwin. The Thunderbolts have struggled in recent Hottest 7s tournaments despite high expectations, and will be eager to impress National Coach Michael O’Connor ahead of the upcoming leg of the IRB 7s circuit.
Aroma Coast (PNG)
Little is known of this PNG team, although it is expected to include a number of players from the ever-improving PNG National team, who have been something of surprise package in 2010 and 2011 International tournaments.
WOMEN
Eastsyde 7's
The Eastsyde girls are previous winners and perennial contenders for the Hottest 7s Jabiru Division. Comprising of numerous Queensland Women’s team members, Eastsyde were beaten finalists in the 2011 Hyperion 7s tournament, losing 20-0 to the powerful Aussie Pearls,
Australian Army RU
The Australian Army team will include a very experienced collection of girls from around the country, with considerable 7s experience. The Australian Army teams are renown for their fitness and physicality of play, and will be highly seeded for the 2012 Hottest 7s.
Aussie Pearls
The Australian National team are starting to build successful combinations, winning the recent 2011 Hyperion 7s and finishing third at the IRB Dubai 7s. The Pearls will start the 2012 Hottest 7s as the Top seeded team, and are heavily favoured to win the Jabiru division despite a number of player changes for 2012. The pearls are expected to field a number of touch football players recently converted to 7s rugby.
The Superscreen is back again in 2012 providing full coverage of all matches played on Field 1. This is a great initiative and will give the spectators that added viewing option.
Heineken remains the naming rights sponsor of the event, which is also proudly supported by the Northern Territory Government.
Event Information
Tickets for the Heineken Hottest 7s In The World lunch, Friday 20 January and Heineken Hut corporate facility for the two day event are on sale from:
Northern Territory Rugby Union | Ph: 08 451 444 or info@ntrugby.com.au
General Admission tickets purchased at the Gate:
Saturday $10
Sunday $20
Children 13 and under Free
Gates open 9am Saturday and Sunday, 7’s action until late.
Full Bar and catering facilities
The Heineken Hotties, Life.Be In It Children’s entertainment will be a highlight on Sunday from noon.
For Further Information:
Contact: Andrew Crozier
Hottest 7’s in the World CEO (0418 434 308)