Rugby 7s World Cup 2018

Rugby 7s World Cup - San Francisco 2018

The football world cup unfortunately did not come home, however we can still remain hopeful as in just 3 days (20th-22rd July) the Rugby 7s World Cup is about to take off in San Francisco, with England seeded as 4th favourites.

This is just the 7th edition of Rugby 7's World Cup, and the first time it has crossed the Atlantic Ocean to be held on American soil. Over the course of 4 days; 84 matches (52 men's/32 women's) will be held between 24 mens teams and 16 women's teams as they battle it out for the Melrose Cup.To add even more to the exciting atmosphere unlike previous Rugby World Cup Sevens tournaments this one will be played in a knock-out format, making every game unmissable adding to the excitement and drama.

Here are a few interviews with the top coaches including previous winners Wales and current favorites South Africa; talking about their philosophies.

The current holders of both the Mens and Women's 7's world cup is the global rugby powerhouse New Zealand. New Zealand along with Fiji have won this twice in the past, while England, Wales have both won the single tournament. Despite New Zealand being ranked number 1 seed for this world cup, going off the World 7s series performances this year they don't seem to be on their top form, having only managed to win a total of 1 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze out of 10 tournaments.

Who do we think has got the best chance?

South Africa - The Springboks are hungry to win. They are more than aware that they are yet to win a world cup, and after coming off a back to back wins in the HSBC sevens series, they are inevitably very high contenders to take the Melrose Cup home. South Africa will play their first game on the 21st against the winners of the match between Ireland and Chile. Despite this may seem as a good opening game for the Springboks to have whatever the result, the devastating pace of Seabelo Senate and Cecil Africa will be needed to be on top form for the Springboks to win 4 consecutive games in a row to pick up the winner Trophy.

Fiji - Despite South Africa having a very strong last 2 sevens series, their best toughest competitor is Fiji. There was a lot of debate how South Africa won by the skin of their teeth this years 7s series, having only won by 2 points. If it wasn't for the shock defeat Fiji faced against England in Paris, it seemed inevitable they were going to win the series having been awarded Gold in the last 5/6 tournaments in the series. Has this one slip up left the Fijians wanting this one more than everyone else?

Player to watch?

Perry Baker - The USA speed freak is currently the World Rugby 7s player of the year. Despite suffering from a shoulder injury earlier this year, is definitely one to watch, scoring a total of 37 and 51 line breaks this series makes him lethal and deadly even from his own try line. Maybe with the extra encouragement from the home crowd we can really see this player show us what he's got, as he did in Las Vegas early this year.

Speed is Perry bakers most lethal weapon, it is something he has worked hard for everyday. Heres a video that can help work on your speed and agility to improve your performance.

Young Player to watch?

Vilimoni Koroi - This new boy to the 7s circuit, making his debut on the scene in just 2017 at just 18 years old. Despite not being on the circuit very long his deadly footwork and natural eye for the game makes you think he's one of the more experienced players out there, making him defiantly a a player to keep an eye on.

Koroi has got to where he is now by not cutting corners and putting in the hard yards, here is a drill that will push your players to their limit...

Is there a chance its coming home?

Never say never. England has shown some decent form towards the end of the 2018 rugby 7s series, beating Fiji in Paris and getting the silver medal, as well as getting on the podium in Singapore. Moreover to make things look more promising our team contains 10 members of the common wealth games team, that achieved bronze earlier this year. Our team is wealthy in experience being captained by Tom Mitchell ( 3rd top points scorer this year) accompanied by all time top try scorer Dan Norton and England 7s most capped player James Rodwell. Hopefully this experience will help the young boys of Edwards and Muir bring it home for England this summer.

Heres a session taken by our very own World Cup squad captain Tom Mitchell, helping you work on you core strength and power...

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