Event of the Day: Men's World Rugby Seven Series Sydney Day 1

Our event of the day is the first day of the Men's World Rugby Seven Series tournament at the Allianz Stadium in  Sydney. This is the third of a total of ten series events, following December tournaments in Dubai and Cape Town won by South Africa and New Zealand, respectively. The All Blacks Sevens, winners of record 12 Titles (although the last was in 2013/14) lead the rankings with 41 points; while the reigning champions and winners of last year’s event in Australia, the Blitzboks, are just behind them with 39 points so far. Three-time champions Fiji currently sit in third with 28 points. The opening day of the tournament brings two matches in each of the four pools.
In Pool A, Fiji and New Zealand are big favourites against Samoa and Russia, respectively. England will be aiming for a strong start against Spain, while South Africa will start their title defence against Papua New Guinea, in Pool C. More uncertainty is expected in Pool B, where France take on Wales and Argentina play Kenya. Pool D brings the most anticipated match of the day between hosts Australia and USA, before Canada and Scotland finish the programme. South Africa winger Seabelo Senatla was the stand out man in the first two events with 70 points and 14 tries scored. Leading all-time try scorer of the Series, England winger Dan Norton, has 12 tries and 60 points in this seasons’ campaign. There should be a lot of exiting rugby sevens in the next three days in Sydney. 
 
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the 4th ODI between Australia and England at the Adelaide Oval. Having been victorious in the first three ODIs in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, England have already won the series, but will look for another triumph to make up for their painful 4-0 Ashes defeat. It’s Day 3 of the 3rd Test of the Freedom Trophy between South Africa and India at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Day 12 of the 2018 Australian Open at the Melbourne Park includes the semi-final match between Roger Federer and Chung Hyeon. It’s the second day of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai; and the second day of the Farmers Insurance Open at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego. In the NBA, the New Orleans Pelicans take on the Houston Rockets at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, while the Cleveland Cavaliers face the Indiana Pacers at the Quickens Loans Arena in Cleveland. In the Bundesliga, Eintracht Frankfurt host Borussia Mönchengladbach at the Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt. In the Anglo-Welsh Cup, Gloucester clash with Ospreys at Kingsholm in Gloucester.
 
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
 
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Photos by World Rugby

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