Oceania Rugby confirms 2022 Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 Qualifiers

Wed, Mar 9, 2022, 11:00 PM
Oceania Rugby
by Oceania Rugby

Oceania Rugby has today announced the rankings from the 2020/21 HSBC Men’s and Women’s Sevens Series and 2019 Oceania Rugby Men’s and Women’s Sevens Championship will be used to determine qualification for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022.

In response to ongoing logistical challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and qualification deadlines Oceania Rugby has unfortunately had to cancel a qualification tournament being planned for April 2022. 

A number of options were explored for this proposed standalone qualification tournament following the cancellation of the 2021 Oceania Rugby Men’s and Women’s Sevens Championship however given the ongoing border closures throughout the Pacific it became impossible to operate the event.

The disappointing but understandable decision was made following extensive discussions between Oceania Rugby, Member Unions and World Rugby. 

The decision will the Australia, Samoa and Tonga Men’s Sevens will join New Zealand and Fiji in the Men’s event and Fiji join Australia and New Zealand in the Women’s event at the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022 in Cape Town, South Africa, on 9-11 September.

Rugby World Cup Sevens Qualified Teams

Oceania Rugby President, Richard Sapias, said finding a way for the qualifier to go ahead has been a priority for Oceania Rugby in 2022. 

“Unfortunately rescheduling or postponing the planned qualification event would also not be realistic under the current circumstances. Qualification deadlines for the upcoming Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, South Africa 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens and ongoing travel restrictions within the Oceania region have prevented Oceania Rugby being able to host the event.”

“As an organisation we will continue to look for ways to provide pathways to and preparation for major events however in this situation we have simply run out of time.” Sapias said. 

Fijiana 7s Coach, Saiasi Fuli, is looking to add further medals to the Bronze the team picked up in Tokyo last year. 

“It is a big honour for our team to represent Fiji and the region at the Rugby World Cup Sevens games, we have been preparing for some time in anticipation of this announcement. It will be a massive challenge for us to repeat our successes from Tokyo, but we know nothing is impossible and we can overcome anything if we prepare well mentally, physically, and spiritually.” Fuli said. 

“The team have set ourselves a goal to medal and we are looking forward to celebrating with our fans again”, added Fuli.

Tonga Rugby Union CEO, Peter Harding, said Tonga is looking forward to competing against the world’s best in Sevens Rugby this year.

“We value the work that has been done by Oceania Rugby to bring the Oceania qualifications to life, but as we in Tonga know well, the challenges of the Pandemic have made travel and movement close to impossible in the Pacific. We understand that being handed qualification for the Rugby World Cup is a great honour for our team and union, and we do not underestimate the challenge ahead”, Harding said.

Oceania Rugby continues to adjust the tournament schedule and looks forward to announcing 2022 regional tournament hosts when it is logistically possible. 

The Oceania teams qualified for the Commonwealth Games 2022 will be confirmed shortly. 

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