Rugby, one of the toughest, bone-crunching sports around, will be flavored with international vigor Feb. 10-11 in the USA Steinlager Sevens Rugby tournament at Petco Park.
Teams from 16 nations will compete in two busy days of 44 matches to determine an overall champion.
New Zealand, a dominant force in world competition for several years, and South Africa have been established as tourney co-favorites. However, Fiji, which upset the kiwis last year, represents a challenge.
Last December, the New Zealanders held off a strong challenge in George, South Africa, by the home team to win a pulsating final and take the Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens title.
The win placed New Zealand and South Africa tied with 36 points at the top of the IRB Sevens World Series.
Still, England and Argentina are considered capable outsiders to pull a surprise by the end of the upcoming busy weekend. With these quick, intense matches, upsets are certain to happen.
The United States team has finally established itself as a factor after winning a tourney in Bangkok. It has been in training at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, under the watchful eye of new coach Al Caravelli.
The Americans have been under an intense work program under Caravelli, who has more than 10 years of mentoring experience.
Other teams in the field will represent Canada, France, Kenya, Portugal, Samoa, Scotland, West Indies, Tonga and Chile.
The global event will be viewed via television in more than 130 countries and broadcast in 10 different languages. The tournament is part of international rugby’s World Sevens series, in which similar events occur in Dubai, New Zealand, Hong Kong and London. The Sevens series will stay in San Diego for five years.
Eight countries will host a tournament, with two cities, Adelaide, Australia, and San Diego, making their International Sevens debuts. From 2004 to 2006, the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., has served as host.
USA Sevens organizers envision a four-day weekend of activities, starting with a San Diego Rugby Invitational and a USA Sevens Festival to include live music and entertainment on the Embarcadero.
Rugby Sevens is played on the same size field as traditional 15-a-side rugby but with only seven players per team. Pure speed and athleticism is the foundation for sevens rugby, played with nonstop action, thrilling attacks and game-saving tackles in 14-minute matches.
In each Pool game, two points will be awarded for a win, one point for a draw. No extra time will be allowed to determine a winner. The most successful team in each Pool will advance into the quarterfinals of the cup championship.
The duration of all Pool, quarter and semifinal games will be seven minutes each way, with a two-minute interval at halftime. The duration of the finals for the cup, plate and bowl championships will be 10 minutes each way, with a two-minute interval at halftime. Time will be added for injury and other lost time stoppages at the discretion of the referee.
Tickets are priced at $35 for general admission per day or a VIP two-day pass for $120. Discounts are available for groups of 25 or more.
For more information, visit www.usasevens.com.