Dubai, a thriving nexus of culture and innovation, stands poised as the backdrop for the electrifying commencement of HSBC SVNS 2024 at The Sevens Stadium. This monumental event ushers in a revamped and rebranded era in the realm of HSBC SVNS 7s Dubai rugby sevens live online updates. Prepare to be awestruck as we embark on a whirlwind tour spanning eight iconic global destinations over the ensuing half-year, culminating in Madrid on June 2, 2024, where the crowning of champions awaits.
SVNS emerges from the cocoon of tradition, spreading its wings with audacious aspirations of captivating the youthful and adventure-thirsty souls of the world. The inaugural spectacle is set to unfurl at the precise hour of 09:00 local time (GMT+4) this upcoming Saturday. The women’s tournament in Dubai will see the USA locking horns with Spain while France squares off against Canada in a fervent collision within the cauldron of Pool C.
Before we embark on this enthralling two-day odyssey through the realms of rugby sevens, let us plunge headfirst into the captivating narrative of Emirates Dubai 7s 2023. Fresh from their conquest at the Pan American Games, Team USA arrives with fervor, determined to transmute podium placements into championship titles. Their journey through the 2023 series left an indelible mark, culminating in a commendable third-place finish, trailing behind New Zealand and Australia.
Emilie Bydwell, the mastermind at the helm, has meticulously assembled a squad brimming with experience. Alev Kelter, Kris Thomas, and the indomitable co-captain Lauren Doyle brace themselves for their 40th appearance on this illustrious circuit. The venerable Cheta Emba, on the other hand, prepares to embark on her 30th voyage.
While Kristi Kirshe convalesces from an injury, the phoenixes Ilona Maher and Jaz Gray return from their brief sabbaticals. Bydwell, the strategist extraordinaire, voices her eagerness, “We are on the cusp of a thrilling journey, a long and arduous year ahead. Dubai beckons, and we are resolute in our pursuit to harness our full potential, emphasize our strengths, and assert our dominance in the game.”
On the other side of the spectrum, France, the hosts of the forthcoming Paris 2024 extravaganza, extend their arms to welcome Anne-Cécile Ciofani, the revered World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year 2021. Canada and Spain, poised on the precipice of an exciting season, yearn to etch their names indelibly onto the annals of rugby history.
The spotlight then shifts to the high-voltage battleground of Pool B. Here, the illustrious Australia, champions of the series thrice over, commence their 2024 campaign against the resolute Brazil, while the formidable Ireland locks horns with the spirited Japan. The maestro, Tim Walsh, unveils the international debutant Kaitlin Shave, while 11 seasoned warriors, instrumental in the triumphant 2022 campaign, resurface for yet another audacious pursuit of glory.
Maddision Levi, the prodigious try-scorer with a staggering 57 tries last season, and Teagan Levi, the architect of boundless possibilities, rekindle their partnership. Walsh exclaims, “Sevens continues its meteoric ascent, and in this Olympic year, the revitalized format promises to elevate the entertainment spectacle to unparalleled heights.”
Ireland, having secured an Olympic debut in the previous season, strives to affirm its mettle against juggernauts Australia and New Zealand. Meanwhile, Japan eyes an extension of their upward trajectory, while Brazil and their counterparts, Sakura Sevens, share the common quest for survival at this elite level.
The women’s tournament’s opening act culminates with a riveting spectacle in Pool A. Reigning champions New Zealand square off against the debutantes South Africa, as Fiji confronts Great Britain, rekindling memories of their Tokyo 2020 duel for bronze.
Sarah Hirini, the unflinching leader, captains a formidable Black Ferns Sevens squad, within striking distance of their own record of 37 consecutive victories. Cory Sweeney’s warriors stand on the precipice of history, where triumph against the Springbok Women’s Sevens would catapult them into uncharted territory.
South Africa, resurgent after an eight-year hiatus as core team members, emerge emboldened by their triumph in the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2023. Co-captain Mathrin Simmers emphasizes, “Our ascent to the circuit was a grueling endeavor, but now our mission is to secure a top-eight finish and retain our automatic series qualification.”
The confrontation between Fiji and Great Britain promises to be an epic, with both teams locked at 68 points following a fierce 2023 series battle. Victory here will propel the victor towards the coveted Cup quarter-finals, yet the vanquished shall still grasp at redemption.
The opening day in Dubai shall unfurl the grand tapestry of the round-robin pool stage, revealing the eight titans destined for the tournament title quest. Among them, the three pool victors and their valiant runners-up shall earn their places in the quarter-finals, joined by the two most resilient third-placed contenders.
As we embark on this epic voyage of rugby sevens, Dubai becomes the stage where perplexity and burstiness entwine in a thrilling dance of words and actions, mirroring the breathtaking spectacle we eagerly await. The HSBC SVNS 2024 promises nothing short of an unforgettable odyssey, a journey through the vibrant tapestry of rugby’s finest. Let the games begin!