Australia's Olympic preparation has today been bolstered by the announcement of the PacificAus Sport's Oceania 7s.
The three-day tournament is scheduled to occur at Townsville Stadium between June 25-27th, replicating the Tokyo Games format.
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A unique new tournament under the Oceania Rugby Sevens brand, the 2021 tournament provides much needed high-performance preparation for pre-qualified Rugby teams ahead of the Tokyo Olympics Games.
In an added boost following Australia's recent matches against New Zealand, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade support has also allowed for Fiji to partake in the championship, following the completion of their mandatory hotel quarantine period.
Australia, Fiji and New Zealand will also be bolstered by the inclusion of a fourth team, in both the men's and women's tournaments. An Oceania Barbarians side will play in the tournament, allowing the three core teams to replicate the Olympic format.
Australian Women's sevens player, Rhiannon Byers said playing the tournament in Townsville will continue to help the side prepare for the games.
"The team is currently here in Darwin continuing to acclimatise for the humidity in Japan, and to get game time in a similar environment will be a great help.
"A lot of work has gone into getting these games up and running, and to finally have them confirmed can help us prepare for the games," Byers said.
The announcement comes fifty days out from the 2020 Olympics opening ceremony, as teams and officials eagerly await the global repechage's completion to confirm the three remaining countries participating in the games.
Australia's sevens star Maurice Longbottom says a late June tournament will provide valuable preparation before the Olympics-bound men's and women's teams.
"It's massive for our preparation," he said
"We were lucky enough to play against New Zealand a couple of weeks ago, but now we get to get our hands on Fiji.
"You've got three of the top four teams in the world series up in Townsville playing - it's only going to be beneficial for those teams."
"Sevens players are international heroes of the game – inspiring fans and uniting communities across Australia and the Pacific,” Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja said.
“We are delighted to be supporting Fiji’s travel to Australia to compete in this important event which will be critical for Fiji’s preparations for the Tokyo Olympics.
“This goes to the heart of the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership - bringing our top teams together to succeed and thrive.”
The tournament will be the first time Australia, Fiji and New Zealand have competed together since the cancellation of the 2020 World Sevens Series.
In a boost for Rugby Sevens fans, Stan Sport will deliver the entire tournament live, ad-free and on-demand in Australia with full replays, highlights, expert opinion, and analysis from the Stan Sport team.
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