NEXT STOP PARADISE AS FIJIAN DRIFTERS AND AUSSIE PEARLS CHASE $40,000 HYPERION 7s
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November 2, 2011: One of the most exciting invitational teams in international football, Fiji’s fearsome Drifters, have been installed as the top seeds for this year’s $40,000 Hyperion Paradise 7s at Carrara Sports Complex on November 19 and 20.
Organisers have today announced the official seedings, pools and draws for the Paradise open men’s and women’s tournaments – the pipe-opener to Gold Coast’s Festival of Rugby.
The Festival, to be launched by ARU Managing Director and CEO John O)’Neill on the Gold Coast tomorrow, will culminate in the "Gold Coast Sevens - Fever Pitch tournament - the first leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series at Skilled Park on November 25 and 26.”
While the Drifters and fellow international teams will be major drawcards, all local eyes will be on Michael O’Connor’s Aussie Thunderbolts who are seeded fifth with ULR Samurai seeded second, Daveta (Fiji) third and top New Zealand outfit, the Hamilton Old Boys fourth.
The Thunderbolts have drawn against Hamilton, Queensland Country and local Gold Coast boys, the Hyperion Breakers in Group D.
The women’s tournament has attracted 13 very competitive teams with the top seeds the Aussie Pearls, featuring the cream of the Australian representative squad and defending world champions, followed by Arongatahi (NZ), Kusa (NZ), Sydney and defending champions Eastsyde.
The Pearls will use the Hyperion Paradise 7s as one of the initial events in preparation for 2013 when they will defend their World Championship in Russia.
Tournament director Tim Heath said the match committee had no hesitation in posting the Drifters as the team to beat in the 16-team men’s tournament and the Aussie Pearls in the women’s draw, with both competitions attracting some of the best teams in world 7s.
“We are very excited with the standard of teams and anyone who beats the Drifters and the Pearls will deserve the Championships,” said Mr Heath, who has seen the best of the best at Darwin’s Hottest 7s.
“The Drifters play an exciting, tough brand of running rugby that has to be seen to be believed and I’m sure they will have a huge following.
“The Fijians are one of the most successful 7’s invitation teams around the world where they have won in Dubai and Darwin along with many other tournaments and are the 2009 Gold Coast 7’s Champions.
“I know how popular they have been when they have played in this tournament and other tournaments around the world in the past and they can beat anyone when on song.
“The Pearls are littered with classy Australian representative players but looking at the strength of the women’s draw this is going to be one of the best competitions we have ever seen.”
The Drifters will line up in Pool A with Newstar, the Hong Kong Dragons and the Country King Browns, who will field NRL stars Nathan Blacklock, Robbie O’Davis and Wise Kativerata and former Australian 7s and Queensland Reds star James Morgan.
The County King Browns will meet the Drifters in the second game on the opening day at 10.20, which is sure to attract a lot of attention.
Pool B will feature the second seeds ULR Samurai, made up of international players, who thrilled the Gold Coast fans with their attacking flair in last year’s Gold Coast 7s.
They will have to contend with Brisbane based Sunnybank, Red Rock and local Fijian team in Island Breeze.
Pool C will have another exciting Fijian team, third seeded Daveta, along side the Papua New Guinea National team, New Zealanders Te Whanau and the Northern Territory Mosquitoes.
Coaching PNG is former New Zealand and Wales fullback Shane Howarth who took over the helm 12 months ago and immediately brought success to the Pukpuks, guiding them to a Bowl victory over Canada at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games.
A 14-12 win over Scotland followed at the Wellington leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series while a further milestone was reached with the winning of the bronze medal at the XIV Pacific Games in New Caledonia in September.
Just last weekend PNG edged Niue 12-5 in the playoff for seventh and eighth at the Oceania Championships in Apia, which saw Samoa beat Fiji in the final.
PNG will also line up in the HSBC Sevens World Series.
Spectators are encouraged to take advantage of the discounts on offer, and plan for a great start to the Gold Coast's Festival of Rugby, an exciting 8-day Festival of Rugby that will include Veterans 10s, culminating in the "Gold Coast Sevens - Fever Pitch tournament - the first leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series at Skilled Park on November 25 and 26.
For information on the 2011 Hyperion Paradise 7s – please visit www.paradise7s.com.au or keep in touch via facebook.com/paradise7s or twitter.com/paradise7s
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW THROUGH Foxtix PARADISE 7S TICKETS
TICKETING PRICES (Tickets are available through Foxtix)
Hyperion Paradise 7s Two-Day Pass
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PRE SALE $15 $12 Free with paying adult |
GATE |
Single Day Pass - Saturday 19th OR Sunday 20th
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PRE SALE $10 $8 Free with paying adult |
GATE $12 $10 Free with paying adult |
“The Festival of Rugby and the Gold Coast Sevens – Fever Pitch are supported by the Queensland Government through Events Queensland.”
