2007 Adelaide Sevens – Knowipedia – The Next Generation of Global Knowledge

**2007 Adelaide Sevens**

**Definition:**
The 2007 Adelaide Sevens was a rugby sevens tournament held in Adelaide, Australia, as part of the 2006–07 IRB Sevens World Series. It featured international teams competing in a fast-paced, seven-a-side format of rugby union.

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# 2007 Adelaide Sevens

The 2007 Adelaide Sevens was the fourth tournament of the 2006–07 IRB Sevens World Series, an annual series of international rugby sevens competitions organized by the International Rugby Board (IRB). Hosted at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, South Australia, the event took place over two days, from 7 to 8 April 2007. The tournament brought together 16 national teams competing in a fast-paced, seven-a-side version of rugby union, which is known for its speed, skill, and high-scoring matches.

The Adelaide Sevens was notable for its competitive matches and the participation of top rugby sevens nations. It played a significant role in the overall standings of the 2006–07 IRB Sevens World Series, influencing the race for the series title. The tournament also contributed to the growing popularity of rugby sevens in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

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## Background

### Rugby Sevens and the IRB Sevens World Series

Rugby sevens is a variant of rugby union featuring teams of seven players playing seven-minute halves, as opposed to the traditional 15 players playing 40-minute halves. The game is known for its fast pace, open play, and emphasis on speed and agility. The IRB Sevens World Series, inaugurated in the 1999–2000 season, is an annual series of international tournaments where national teams compete for points towards the overall series championship.

The 2006–07 IRB Sevens World Series was the eighth edition of the series. It featured eight tournaments held across various countries, including New Zealand, the United States, Hong Kong, and Australia. The Adelaide Sevens was the fourth stop on the circuit, following tournaments in Dubai, South Africa, and New Zealand.

### Adelaide as a Host City

Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia, has a rich sporting culture and history. The Adelaide Oval, a historic sports ground primarily known for cricket and Australian rules football, was selected as the venue for the 2007 Adelaide Sevens. Hosting the tournament in Adelaide was part of the IRB’s strategy to expand rugby sevens’ reach in Australia and to capitalize on the city’s sporting infrastructure and enthusiastic fan base.

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## Teams and Format

### Participating Teams

Sixteen national teams participated in the 2007 Adelaide Sevens. These teams represented a mix of traditional rugby powerhouses and emerging nations in the sevens format. The participating teams were:

– Australia (host nation)
– New Zealand
– South Africa
– England
– Fiji
– Samoa
– Wales
– Scotland
– Argentina
– France
– Canada
– Kenya
– Portugal
– Tonga
– Japan
– USA

### Tournament Format

The tournament followed the standard IRB Sevens World Series format used at the time:

– **Pool Stage:** The 16 teams were divided into four pools (A, B, C, D) of four teams each. Each team played every other team in their pool once, for a total of three matches per team in the pool stage. Teams were awarded points for wins, draws, and losses to determine pool rankings.

– **Knockout Stage:** Based on pool rankings, teams progressed to different knockout competitions:
– The top two teams from each pool advanced to the **Cup** competition, the main championship bracket.
– The third and fourth-placed teams entered the **Bowl** competition.
– Teams eliminated in the Cup quarterfinals moved into the **Plate** competition.
– Teams eliminated in the Bowl quarterfinals moved into the **Shield** competition.

This structure ensured that all teams played multiple matches over the two days and had opportunities to compete for silverware at different levels.

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## Pool Stage Results

### Pool A

– New Zealand
– Kenya
– Tonga
– Japan

New Zealand dominated Pool A, winning all their matches with strong performances. Kenya and Tonga competed closely for the second spot, with Kenya ultimately securing the runner-up position to advance to the Cup quarterfinals. Japan finished fourth in the pool.

### Pool B

– Fiji
– Wales
– Canada
– Portugal

Fiji, known for their flair and skill in sevens rugby, topped Pool B with convincing wins. Wales secured second place, advancing to the Cup quarterfinals. Canada and Portugal finished third and fourth, respectively, moving into the Bowl competition.

### Pool C

– South Africa
– Scotland
– Argentina
– USA

South Africa led Pool C with an undefeated record. Scotland finished second, progressing to the Cup quarterfinals. Argentina and the USA moved into the Bowl competition after finishing third and fourth.

### Pool D

– England
– Samoa
– France
– Australia

England and Samoa were the top two teams in Pool D, both advancing to the Cup quarterfinals. France and Australia, despite being strong rugby nations, finished third and fourth, entering the Bowl competition.

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## Knockout Stage

### Shield Competition

The Shield was contested by the teams that lost in the Bowl quarterfinals. It provided an opportunity for lower-ranked teams to compete for a trophy and gain valuable experience.

### Bowl Competition

The Bowl competition featured teams that finished third and fourth in their pools. It was a knockout format, with quarterfinals, semifinals, and a final. The Bowl winner earned points towards the overall series standings, though fewer than those awarded in the Cup and Plate competitions.

### Plate Competition

The Plate competition was contested by the teams eliminated in the Cup quarterfinals. It offered a chance for teams to salvage some silverware and gain additional series points.

### Cup Competition

The Cup was the main championship bracket, contested by the top two teams from each pool. The winner of the Cup was crowned the tournament champion and received the maximum series points.

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## Tournament Highlights

### Cup Quarterfinals

The quarterfinals featured intense matches between the top eight teams. Notable results included:

– New Zealand defeating Wales
– Fiji overcoming Scotland
– South Africa beating Samoa
– England winning against Kenya

These results set up semifinals between New Zealand and Fiji, and South Africa and England.

### Cup Semifinals

– New Zealand vs. Fiji: A highly anticipated match between two sevens powerhouses. New Zealand’s tactical discipline and strong defense allowed them to edge out Fiji in a close contest.
– South Africa vs. England: South Africa’s physicality and speed proved decisive, as they secured a victory over England to reach the final.

### Cup Final

The final was contested between New Zealand and South Africa. Both teams displayed exceptional skill and athleticism, but New Zealand’s experience and composure under pressure enabled them to claim the title. The final score reflected a tightly fought match, with New Zealand emerging as the 2007 Adelaide Sevens champions.

### Plate Final

The Plate final featured Wales and Samoa, with Wales securing the trophy after a competitive match.

### Bowl Final

Canada and Argentina contested the Bowl final, with Canada emerging victorious.

### Shield Final

The Shield final saw Portugal face Japan, with Portugal winning the competition.

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## Final Standings

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## Impact and Legacy

### Influence on the 2006–07 IRB Sevens World Series

The results of the Adelaide Sevens had a significant impact on the overall standings of the 2006–07 IRB Sevens World Series. New Zealand’s victory consolidated their position as series leaders, while South Africa’s strong performance kept them in contention for the series title. The tournament also highlighted the competitive depth of the sevens circuit, with traditional powers and emerging teams both making notable contributions.

### Growth of Rugby Sevens in Australia

Hosting the tournament in Adelaide contributed to the growth of rugby sevens in Australia, particularly in South Australia where rugby union was less prominent compared to other states. The event attracted local fans and media attention, helping to raise the profile of the sport ahead of rugby sevens’ inclusion in the Olympic Games, which was confirmed in 2009 for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

### Development of Emerging Teams

The tournament provided valuable international experience for emerging rugby sevens nations such as Kenya, Portugal, and Japan. Their participation and competitive matches against established teams helped to raise the standard of sevens rugby globally.

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## Conclusion

The 2007 Adelaide Sevens was a key event in the 2006–07 IRB Sevens World Series, showcasing high-quality rugby sevens competition among the world’s best teams. New Zealand’s triumph reinforced their dominance in the sport, while the tournament’s successful organization and enthusiastic reception in Adelaide contributed to the ongoing development and popularity of rugby sevens in Australia and internationally.

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**Meta Description:**
The 2007 Adelaide Sevens was a rugby sevens tournament held in Adelaide, Australia, as part of the 2006–07 IRB Sevens World Series, featuring 16 international teams competing in a fast-paced rugby format. New Zealand won the tournament, which played a significant role in the overall series standings.