Three teams in the Men’s Division have come through Day One of the National Sevens Championships in Adelaide undefeated setting up an intriguing round of quarter-final matches.
NSW, Queensland Red and Australian Universities all got through the first day of the tournament without blemish and are steeling themselves for a testing Day Two.
Like the Women’s side of the tournament, the Men’s seedings were decided on for and against with the Queenslanders snatching top ranking followed by NSW and the Australian Unis side.
NSW’s Bennett Leslie, who has played in the national men’s side, said he was happy with the effort his team had shown on the first day but the job was only half done.
“Yeah Day One is done and dusted, we’ve got three from three but everything from now is focused on tomorrow, so rest, recover and bring it tomorrow” he said.
“There’s a lot of good teams as you would expect at a national championship and there will be some good games between the likes of Queensland, Victoria and even ACT.”
At these championships teams compete for the Cup, Plate and Bowl, replicating the format of the HSBC Sevens World Series.
Australian Men’s Head Coach Andy Friend said the attitude of all the players had been fantastic.
“I was really impressed with the standard today. The players have put everything into it and every game has been greatly contested,” he said.
"The second day is the mental day. Your body is sore and then you have to get up and do it again against strong opponents." - Andy Friend
“But the really important thing for me as a selector is day two. The second day is the mental day. Your body is sore and then you have to get up and do it again against strong opponents.
“There is going to be some big matches tomorrow and I’m looking forward to seeing who can step up.”
All matches on day two will be LIVE streamed through www.rugby.com.au.
STANDINGS
2016 National Men's Sevens Championships Top Eight
1. Queensland Red (9 pts)
2. NSW (9 pts)
3. National Universities (9 pts)
4. Victoria (7 pts)
5. ACT (7 pts)
6. Queensland White (7 pts)
7. Northern Territory (5 pts)
8. National Indigenous (5 pts)
Day two of the 2016 Nationals Sevens Championships from Adelaide will be LIVE streamed tomorrow from 9:30am ADST (9:00am ACDT) on rugby.com.au. Field One live here. Field Two live here.
