SAMOA SENDS NEAR FULL STRENGTH TEAM TO HYPERION GOLD COAST INTERNATIONAL SEVENS
Rugby 7s, November 5: One of the world's finest Rugby Sevens players Simaika Mikaele will spearhead an all-star world champion Samoan outfit announced for next week's 2010 Hyperion Gold Coast International Sevens tournament.
Mikaele was a key player in Samoa's history-making IRB World Series Championship-winning team and will be one of the star attractions in the 20-team tournament, set down for Albert Park Surfers Paradise on November 13 and 14.
He is one of the most decorated players in the game, having made 42 IRB Sevens tournament appearances since making his debut for Samoa in 2001.
Mikaele, a feared defender, will be joined by fellow IRB World Series stars, backs Alatasi Tupou and Reupena Levasa and forwards Pale Toelupe and Alafoti Fa'osilva.
All five played in this year's Commonwealth Games in Delhi alongside emerging players Apelu Fa'aiuga and Paul Chan Tung, who have also been named in the 12-man Gold Coast team.
Samoa finished out of the medals after being beaten by England in a tournament which saw New Zealand topple Australia to win their fourth Games gold.
"Despite a disappointing Commonwealth Games, Samoa, will use the Gold Coast tournament as an ideal preparation to start what they hope will be a successful defence of their World Championship in Dubai in December," said tournament director Luca Liussi.
"Apart from their two biggest names Mikaele Pesamino and Uale Mai the Samoan team is almost at full strength and will be very hard to beat.
"But to see Simaika Mikaele in action will be a real treat - he is regarded as one of the finest Sevens players in the world and was a key member of the team that secured Samoa's first ever World Championship.
"It is a real coup to have Samoa line up in our tournament with the calibre of players they are bringing."
The Samoans were treated like kings when they returned to Apia earlier this year after wrapping up their IRB Sevens crown.
Still recovering from the Tsunami that left over 5000 people homeless last year, the team was greeted by thousands of fans when they returned home to a public holiday in their honour.
Meanwhile three members of Australia's silver medal winning Commonwealth Games team from Delhi are in the selection mix for the Aussie Thunder team - the new name for the Australian Sevens Team.
Delhi team members and contracted players Bernard Foley and Shaun Foley have been with the Australian Sevens Squad at the AIS in Canberra this week under the watchful eye of National coach Michael O'Connor.
A third Commonwealth Games team member, Ed Jenkins, a noted performer in the green and gold, is also in the running for selection, despite missing the camp due to work commitments.
The Australian Rugby Union is expected to announce the "Aussie Thunder" team for the 20-team Gold Coast Sevens tournament today (Friday) in the run up to the opening tournament of the IRB Sevens in Dubai on December 3 and 4.
O'Connor is certain to look at some new faces for the Gold Coast tilt as he mounts his campaign to improve on the Australians rising status in the new Olympic sport, due to make its debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
HYPERION GOLD COAST INTERNATIONAL SEVENS TEAMS
MEN (20) - Samoa 7s Samoa Rugby Football Union, Emerging New Zealand New Zealand Rugby Football Union, Aussie Thunder Australian Rugby Union, Arabian Gulf Barbarians Arabian Gulf Rugby Union, Niue Wanderers Niue Rugby Union, Queensland Reds 7s Queensland Rugby Union, NSW Jr Waratah 7s New South Wales Rugby Union, Taranaki Academy New Zealand, South Sea Drifters Fiji, International Samurais UK / New Zealand, PNG Southern Chiefs Papua New Guinea, Davetalevu Fiji, Pacific MMI Rebels Papua New Guinea, Lloyd McDermott Australia, Gold Coast Breakers Australia, Sunnybank Australia, Australian Maoris RL Australia, Brisbane Nadro Navosa, Island Breeze Australia, Bombers Australia/Fiji
WOMEN (8) - Eastsyde Brisbane Australia, Samurai International Australia, PNG Southern Chiefs Papua New Guinea, Sunnybank Women's Australia, Gold Coast Academy Australia, PNG Defence Women's Rugby Papua New Guinea, Sydney Uni Women's Australia, Wests Women's Bulldogs Australia
TICKETING INFORMATION - SAVE MONEY AND TIME - BUY ONLINE!
Beat the queues and pay less by securing your tickets online http://www.goldcoastsevens.com/
HYPERION VIP LOUNGE: Enjoy the fast, exciting action of some of the world's best 7s teams in the comfort of the Club House area. Premium viewing, private bar area, substantial finger food, big screen TV with all the action of a two-day Rugby carnival. Tickets are limited!
Single Day: $65
Two-day pass: $110
Concession - Pensioners and Full Time Students (aged, TPI, War Service Widow)12 years and under: FREE
Family: 2 adults, 2 juniors or 1 adult, 2 juniors
Dont Drive ... PARK AND RIDE...check website for service information (NB: Parking limited)
TICKETING PRICES
|
1 Day Pass |
|
|
Adult pre sale |
$15.00 |
|
Adult |
$20.00 |
|
Conc / Student Pre sale |
$10.00 |
|
Concession / Student |
$15.00 |
|
Child under 12 yrs |
Comp w/- paying adult |
|
Pre sale Family (2A+2J) |
$40.00 |
|
Family (2A+2J) |
$45.00 |
|
2 Day Pass |
|
|
Adult pre sale |
$30.00 |
|
Adult |
$40.00 |
|
Conc / Student Pre sale |
$20.00 |
|
Concession / Student |
$30.00 |
|
Child under 12 yrs |
Comp w/- paying adult |
|
Pre sale Family (2A+2J) |
$65.00 |
|
Family (2A+2J) |
$75.00 |