Defending champions Police face a mammoth challenge to retain next week’s Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens.

The top seed has been drawn with local rivals Westfield Dragons and Shangri-La Daveta and guest team Germany in Pool A of the tournament which starts on Thursday in Sigatoka.

Meanwhile, the Aussie Pearls side is the top women’s seed and starts their Crest Na Iri Trophy defence against Jingsu (China) and Striders (Fiji) in Pool Q.

Founded in 2010, the Coral Coast Sevens' 'champion of champions' strategy brings together the best club teams from Fiji and guest sides from overseas while in a significant statement of equality for the new Olympic sport the women's prizemoney is identical to that of the men.

Both genders play for a first prize of $20,000 over three days of intense competition at Lawaqa Park.

Westfield, along with Uluinakau, Yamacia and Wardens, won a place in the Coral Coast Sevens when they beat Coastal Ratu Filise 31-7 last month in one of four qualifying tournaments. Wardens (2011) and Yamacia (2013) are both previous champions of the tournament underlining the quality of the field.

Similarly, the Aussie Thunderbolts arrive as one of the favourites having won the Coral Coast's partner tournament, the UON Central Coast Sevens in NSW, in October.

The shadow national team, whose best performance in Sigatoka was a quarter final in 2012, headlines Pool B where Uluinakau and sponsor teams Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort and Uprising Beach Resort join them.

In-form Tabadamu meets Ratu Filise, Yamacia and the Hideaway Hurricanes, another sponsor team, in Pool C.

The Suva club, under stalwart Setefano Cakau, qualified with a victory in another partner tournament, the Samoan Independence Sevens, back in May. Further titles have followed this season while they also defeated Sir Gordon Tietjens' New Zealand development side in making the final on the Central Coast.

Pool D sees Wardens against BLK First Landing, the Naviti Resort and the third international team, Tonga. 

Wardens is another form team having qualified by winning their own tournament at the end of October and claiming both the Macuata 7s and the Yalovata 7s in November. 

On the women's side, the Pearls are seeded to meet Tonga in the last eight with the latter drawn against TFL Fijiana Tagimoucia, the Central Chiefs and the Coastline Roosters.

TFL Fijiana, winners of the tournament in 2013, has been split into two teams to give coaches Chris Cracknell and Iliesa Tanivula the opportunity to work with a wider squad.

Regular visitors the USA Serevi Selects and the New Zealand Raiders are the other overseas teams and are matched, along with 2012 runners up Marist Sea Hawks, in Pool B.

A record nine teams from Fiji take part in the women's competition with the two vacancies expected to be filled by further local teams this week.

Both the I-wau Trophy and the Crest Na Iri Trophy feature pool matches on Thursday andFriday with the top eight going through to the Cup quarter finals on Friday evening.

The complete pool play schedule is available by clicking here.

Here are the Women's teams competing for the Crest Na Iri Trophy:

• Aussie Pearls (Winners 2014 Coral Coast Sevens)
• Telecom Fijiana Mokosai
• Telecom Fijiana Tagimoucia
• USA Serevi Selects
• Tonga
• NZ Raiders
• China Jingsu
• Central Chiefs 1
• Central Chiefs 2
• Lady Baabaas (Labasa)
• Marist Seahawks
• Mystic Knights
• Nadi Blazers
• Savusavu
• Striders 
• TBC - applications open

See you 14-16 January 2016 at Lawaqa Park!

With Westfield Dragons filling the last remaining spot at the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens we can now announce the teams competing for the I-WAU trophy:

• Police (Winners 2014 Coral Coast Sevens)
• Aussie Thunderbolts (Winners Central Coast Sevens 2015)
• Tabadamu (Winners Samoan Independence Sevens)
• Uluinakau (Winner Qualifying #1)
• Yamacia (Winner Qualifying #2)
• Wardens (Winner Qualifying #3)
• Westfield Dragons (Winner Qualifying #4)
• Tonga
• Germany
• BLK First Landing
• Coastal Ratu Filise
• Hideaway
• Naviti
• Outrigger
• Shangri-La Daveta
• Uprising

See you all 14-16 January 2016 at Lawaqa Park!

Australia’s rugby sevens teams will kick off their Olympic year at the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens in Sigatoka.
 
The Aussie Thunderbolts (men) and Aussie Pearls (women) today confirmed their participation at Fiji’s premier sevens tournament to be staged in January 2016.
 
“Everyone in the Australian Sevens program is looking forward to the challenge in what is the most exciting time ever to be a rugby sevens player,” said men’s captain Ed Jenkins. “Having qualified for the Olympic Games our target is now a medal and we will be doing all we can to achieve that next August.
 
“Playing at Lawaqa Park against some of the toughest sevens players in the world will also help the squad’s preparations for the inaugural HSBC Sydney 7s, the rest of the world series and of course Rio.”
 
Australia, who emphatically qualified for the Olympics after a string of impressive performances at the Oceania Sevens a fortnight ago culminating in a 50-0 Cup Final win, will join 15 other teams in the sixth edition of the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens.
 
The Thunderbolts reached the Cup semi finals there in 2012 and head back as the champions of partner tournament the UON Central Coast Sevens.
 
“We’re aware no men’s team has held both titles,” continued Jenkins.  “We know previous Coral Coast champions like Police, Yamacia and Wardens are all quality sides.  Their style, the conditions and the environment are all hard to counter but will certainly be targeting a victory.
 
“However, the coaches will probably also look to try a few players for the year ahead.”
 
Current Wallaby Henry Speight, originally from Suva, is a possible inclusion having signalled his desire for Rio, while regulars such as Jenkins, James Stannard, Cameron Clark and Pama Fou and teenage newcomer Henry Hutchison are also contenders for the Thunderbolts. 
 
Meanwhile, the Aussie Pearls (pictured) return as defending Crest Na Iri Trophy champion.
 
The women, who qualified for the Olympics having finished third in last year’s Women Sevens World Series, beat Serevi Selects (USA) in Sigatoka 19-7 a year ago and also won at the Central Coast last month.
 
“We can’t wait to get back to Fiji and the spiritual home of sevens,” said captain Sharni Williams.  “In an Olympic year all the girls will be pushing for spots and the Coral Coast Sevens is a great tournament to test ourselves.
 
“While the games are hard, the hospitality of the Fijian people is something special and we all have some amazing friends in rugby through our previous visits to Sigatoka.”
 
“We are thrilled with this news that these two great sides will return to Fiji,” said Jay Whyte, Founding Chairman of the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens.  “Under Tim Walsh and the rest of the management team Australia has performed wonders in the last few months and there are exciting times ahead for all the teams heading to Rio. 
 
“We all know that competition is critical in the build up to Rio and we are pleased to play our part in preparing not only our Fijian players but those returning from around the globe.”
 
Men’s and women’s teams are also travelling from New Zealand, Germany, Samoa, Tonga and the USA.
 
The tournament runs from January 14-16.

The inaugural Uprising Schools Sevens Championship will run alongside the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens in January.

Sixteen teams, including top schools like Ratu Kadavulevu, Ratu Navula, Suva Grammar, Marist Brothers, Lelean and Natabua, have been invited to the tournament at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka on January 13 and 14. 
 
Uprising Beach Resort General Manager James Pridgeon said the partnership came about because the resort was excited about the future of rugby sevens in Fiji.
 
"Given our history of supporting rugby at a grassroots level in Fiji, the Uprising Schools Championship gives us the perfect platform to continue to do so," Pridgeon said. “The Uprising Schools Championship will bring together some of the best young talent in the islands and we know it will be a fabulous addition to the Coral Coast Sevens.
 
“Our support of rugby sevens in Fiji also includes hosting Ben Ryan and the national team when they are in camp and we know he is a great advocate of the youth of Fiji. Like Ben, we are proud to get behind the next generation ahead of the Rio Olympics and we look forward to new discoveries at the Uprising Schools Sevens Championship."
 
Pridgeon said the partnership was timely as resort owner Rene Munch was back in Fiji fulltime and had reignited the Uprising Academy, who will play in the tournament.
 
"The Uprising Schools Championship and the academy itself are exciting for our youth to look forward to in 2016," he added.

The Uprising Beach Resort, set on 3km of beach in Pacific Harbour approximately an hour from Sigatoka, offers award-winning accommodation, a training field and gym facilities for visiting rugby teams.  Fiji, coached by Ryan, have recently been in camp ahead of the first leg of their HSBC Sevens World Series defence in Dubai on 4-5 December.

“We are thrilled to add a youth competition to the Coral Coast Sevens and very grateful that James and the Uprising team have come on board,” said Jay Whyte, Founding Chairman of the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens.  “The upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro means it is a wonderful time to add the Uprising Schools Championship where the exciting future of Fiji will be on show at Lawaqa Park.
 
“The competition is set to offer a prize pool of $7,000 and over time we will look to add girls, younger age grades and international schools as we build partnerships with tournaments around the world.”
 
The Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens, now in its sixth year, is working with the Fijian Secondary Schools Rugby Union to develop the sport at the youth level.
 
Meanwhile, the senior tournaments are taking shape with less than 60 days to go.
 
Sixteen women’s teams contest the Crest Na Iri Trophy include the history-making TFL Fijiana, who qualified for Rio last weekend, and a record seven local club sides.
 
The national women's teams of Tonga and Papua New Guinea have also confirmed their participation.
 
The men’s tournament also features 16 men’s teams with defending champion Police and local winners Tabadamu, Uluinakau and Yamacia taking on sponsor teams such as Outrigger, Hideaway Hurricanes and Coastal Ratu Filise.

Germany and Tonga, both preparing for the Olympic repechage, are guest sides.  Further teams will be announced in due course.

Dual international Lote Tuqiri is soon to be added to the Rugbytown Walk of Fame in Sigatoka. 

The 36-year old, who grew up in the nearby village of Namatakula, will accept the accolade during the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens in January. 

"Being asked to join several legends of the game on the Walk of Fame is a real honour," said Tuqiri who played at the highest level for more than 15 years.  "Coming from the Coral Coast it is always nice to visit home and I look forward to seeing friends and family at the tournament in January."

Waisale Serevi, David Campese, Jonah Lomu, Ben Gollings, Viliame Satala and Karl te Nana are the other names on the Walk of Fame, a Hollywood-style series of plaques on the main street of Sigatoka.

"We are thrilled to add one of the Coral Coast's famous sons to the Walk of Fame," said Jay Whyte, Founding Chairman of the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens.  "Lote has achieved so much in his career in both rugby union and rugby league and is an inspiration to the youngsters of his village and in fact to all the people of Fiji."

Tuqiri moved to Australia in his teens and joined the Brisbane Broncos as an 18-year old.  After representing Fiji at the 2000 rugby league World Cup, he played for Queensland and Australia before switching to the Waratahs in 2002, playing in 67 Tests for the Wallabies.

The winger played in two Rugby World Cups, scoring in the final against England in 2003, and also at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games rugby sevens with fellow Wallabies Scott Fava, Matt Giteau and Chris Latham.

"The Commonwealth Games was a special time in my career as sevens offered me so much space to attack," added Tuqiri.  "It is a game that rugby players of all backgrounds can enjoy and really suits the Fijian flair.

 "The growth of the game has been fantastic during the last ten to fifteen years and I am really looking forward to seeing sevens in the Olympic Games in Rio next year." 

Tuqiri's wife and three children will accompany the local hero as guests of the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens organising committee.

Meanwhile Namatakula, about 30 minutes from Sigatoka and also the home of current Wallaby centre Tevita Kuridrani, Noa Nadruku and Nemani Nadoloi, will be represented in the tournament by Coastal Ratu Filise. 

Sixteen men’s and sixteen women’s teams will participate in the sixth Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens on 14-16 January 2016.

The German men’s national team has confirmed its participation at the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens in January.
 
“We are honoured to travel to Fiji for the first time as we look ahead to the Olympic Games,” said Manu Wilhelm, Technical Director of the DRV, the German Rugby Federation.  “Fiji is the spiritual home of rugby sevens and their national team is the world champions so we are looking forward to the opportunity to learn from the best in what will be a challenging tournament. 
 
“We have had a successful 2015, finishing fourth equal in Europe with Russia (behind France, Spain and England) and qualifying for the final Olympic repechage as well as the World Sevens Series qualifier in Hong Kong next year.
 
“The Coral Coast Sevens – along with the Central Coast Sevens in Australia later this month – will be a crucial part of the build up to both of those events.”
 
Germany, currently en route to Australia, finished runners up in the European Olympic qualifier, reached the semi-finals of the European Sevens Grand Prix Series tournaments in both Lyon and Exeter and recorded wins over core sides Russia and Portugal during the northern hemisphere summer.
 
The side also made the final of Scotland's famous Melrose Sevens in April, losing to Glasgow Warriors featuring Fijian Nikola Matawalu. 
 
“Rugby is still a minority sport in Germany but is making headway and our players are gaining more international experience all the time,” added Wilhelm. “Sevens suits the way the Germans like to play, it's a bit more open and allows us to throw the ball around.
 
“With sevens being in the Olympic Games we now receive Government funding and our goal is to compete in 2020 at Tokyo.  Plus with Germany bidding to host the Olympics in 2024, we’d definitely want to see a national sevens team playing if we were the host nation.”

“We are delighted to add Germany as a guest team in the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens 2016,” said Founding Chairman Jay Whyte.   “Playing against the likes of defending champions Police, Samoan Independence Sevens champions Tabadamu and local tournament winners Uluinakau and Yamacia Red, as well as a number of sponsor teams, will be fantastic experience for Germany.”

The sixth Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens features 16 men’s and 16 women’s teams at Lawaqa Park on 14-16 January 2016.  

Other men’s teams include the winners of the UON Central Coast Sevens (October 24-25) and the Wardens and Westfield Barbarians qualifying series tournaments to be held in Fiji next month.

The women’s teams will be announced in due course.

The halfway stage has been reached of the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens qualifying series.

Yamacia Red caused an upset last week seeing off club rivals Yamacia 17-12 in the final in remote Draiba in Navosa.

Yamacia Red, spearheaded by player of the tournament Kelemedi Waqa, will join Uluinakau, the winner of the Ra Sevens held in August, at the Coral Coast Sevens at Lawaqa Park on 14-16 January.

Last year’s Coral Coast champions, Police, and Samoa Independence Sevens champions Tabadamu have also qualified for the tournament.

“With a real ‘champion of champions’ flavour, whereby the best local teams take on successful international teams, the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens is widely regarded as the premier tournament in Fiji,” said Jay Whyte, Founding Chairman.  “It is great to see that the tournament is being taken around Fiji and more local clubs have the chance to qualify for the ‘big one’ in January.

“Four of the top Fijian teams have been given the opportunity to host Qualifying Series tournaments to determine who can contest for a share of the $75,000 prize pool and the prestigious I-WAU trophy and so far the competition has been intense.”

Both semifinals at the Yamacia Sevens were between the Yamacia and Wardens clubs with the latter fielding their Gold and Green teams.

Wardens have another chance to qualify for the Coral Coast Sevens when they host the third leg of the Qualifying Series on 30 and 31 October at Subrail Park, Labasa. 

The fourth and final leg will be hosted by Westfield Dragons on 27 and 28 November at Prince Charles Park, Nadi.

The winners of each will be among the sixteen teams in the men’s division of the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens while 16 women’s teams simultaneously compete for the Crest Na Iri Trophy.  

Further teams will be announced in due course.

Entries have opened for the Yamacia Sevens, the next instalment of the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens Qualifying Series, on 23 and 24 September.

The winner of the Yamacia Sevens in Draiba, Navosa will join Uluinakau as a direct entry in the Coral Coast Sevens in January.  Uluinakau won the Ra Sevens last month defeating Red Rock 22-0.  Two more Qualifying Series tournaments will be played – the Wardens Sevens in Labasa and the Westfield Dragons Sevens in Nadi.

“Up to 24 teams can compete in Draiba for their chance to play at Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens and a share of the $70,000 prize money,” said Jay Whyte, Founding Chairman of the tournament which began in 2010.  “The new Qualifying Series enables teams from all over Fiji the opportunity to win their way to Sigatoka and take part in Fiji’s premier sevens tournament.” 

Sixteen men’s teams will be invited to the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens which is scheduled for January 14-16 at Lawaqa Park.

“The Series means the four champion clubs in Fiji will compete at the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens, where they join defending champion Police, a select number of sponsor sides and teams who have qualified from partner tournaments from around the Pacific,” continued Mr Whyte.  “Given the limited number of places available, this ‘champion of champions’ is sure to see some of the best sevens players in Fiji.

“Equally, we anticipate a very strong women’s competition playing for the Crest Na Iri Trophy, particularly as the 2016 tournament is only months away from the Rio Olympics.”

To register a team for Yamacia Sevens please contact David Dakuitoga (yamaciarugby@gmail.com).
Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens Qualifying Series
Ra Sevens, won by Uluinakau 22-0
Yamacia Sevens – 23rd and 24th September, Draiba, Navosa
Wardens Sevens - 13th and 14th November, Subrail Park, Labasa
Westfield Dragons Sevens - 27th and 28th November, Prince Charles Park, Nadi

Uluinakau has qualified for the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens 2016 with a resounding 22-0 win over Red Rock at the Ra 7s.

The host club needed extra time to win their semifinal 19-14 over Wadiqi Babas but made no race of the final at the Ra Sports Ground.

Suloa Roko (2), Eliki Radau and substitute Ilime Leiloma scored for Uluinakau in the decider to claim the $2000 first prize and direct entry to the Coral Coast Sevens at Sigatoka on January 14-16.

Captain Esala Savuro thanked his team for working hard during the two-day event.

“We were not conditioned for the weather and the semi final was a hard game,” he said.  “Red Rock are a good team and we hope to meet them again in the Coral Coast Sevens.”

“Having won the Plate last year we are targeting to win the Cup at the Coral Coast Sevens this time!”

Uluinakau trailed Wadiqi 0-14 in the first semifinal however fought back to win in sudden death overtime while Red Rock also came from behind to beat Samurai 12-5 in the last four.

However Uluinakau dominated the final as Radau scored first before two tries to the speedy Roko established a 17-0 halftime lead.  The second half was scrappy as both teams tired before a sizzling break by Leiloma from the base of the scrum sealed the home team’s victory.

The Ra 7s was the first of four qualification events for local clubs to be played over the next two months with the Westfield Barbarians tournament in a fortnight the next opportunity in Fiji.  

The winners of each, along with the champions of the Samoan Independence Sevens, the Serevi Rugbytown Sevens (USA) and the Fitness First Central Coast Sevens (NSW, Australia), will be invited to join reigning champions Police in the 16-team event which has a first prize of $30,000.  Sponsors and other invited teams, including from overseas, will also be at Lawaqa Park in January. 

Meanwhile, sixteen women’s teams are expected to contest the Crest Na Iri Trophy as part of the Coral Coast Sevens.

Remaining Qualifying Series tournaments:
Westfield Dragons, 28-29 August, Prince Charles Park, Nadi
Wardens, 11-12 September, Subrail Park, Labasa
Yamacia, 23-24 September, Draiba, Navosa

The Qualifying Series for the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens tournament kicks off this Friday 14 August at Ra Sports Ground in Rakiraki.

The Ra 7s, hosted by the Uluinakau Club, is part of the four-tournament Qualifying Series to be held over the next two months. 

The winner of each automatically qualifies for one of the coveted spots at the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens on 14-16 January 2016 at Lawaqa Park.

Sixteen teams have been confirmed for the Ra 7s drawn mostly from the Ra, Tavua, Yasawa and Malolo areas.

“We are thrilled to see the number of entries for the Ra 7s,” said Katja Imholz, Competition Manager for the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens.  “Given the interest in the Bayleys Fiji Coral Coast Sevens, the highly successful Great Eight qualifying tournament has been expanded to a series of four events hosted by the top finishers of last year's event, namely Uluinakau, Yamacia, Westfield Dragons and Wardens.

“With each qualifying tournament accommodating at least 16 teams, over 60 clubs from all corners of Fiji will have the opportunity to win their way to Lawaqa Park and challenge for the $30,000 first prize in January.”

The lineup for the two-day Ra 7s includes former Coral Coast Sevens champion Red Rock, who triumphed in both 2010 and 2012. 

Four pools of four will be followed by playoffs with the draw to be released late Thursday.

Teams in the Ra 7s:
First Landing
Golden River
Kula Young Boys
Nadawa Young Boys
Naisilisili Babas
Nalotu Evening Stars
Namarai Selection
Nasalo Wadigi Babas
Nasolo Young Boys
PWD Bure
Red Rock
Senibiau
Takalana Dolphins Samurai
Uluinakau Babas
Western Suburbs

Qualifying Series tournaments:
Westfield  Dragons, 28-29 August, Prince Charles Park, Nadi
Wardens, 11-12 September, Subrail Park, Labasa
Yamacia, 23-24 September, Draiba, Navosa