The schedule for the opening 'SVNS' event in Dubai has been confirmed as the Australian teams look to begin the new era of Sevens in style.
The Women’s side enter as the defending Dubai champions, set to begin their title defence against Brazil on December 2 (4:22 pm AEDT), whom they defeated 52-0 in the last event of 2022-23 in Toulouse.
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This will be followed by a clash with Japan (7:21 pm), before rounding out their group stages against Ireland (11:51 pm).
The Black Ferns headline Pool A alongside Fiji, Great Britain and South Africa, whilst the USA, France, Spain and Canada make up Pool C.
As for the Men, they find themselves in a tough Pool, beginning with 2022 Dubai runners-up Ireland (5:28 pm.)
They will then take on 2022 triple-event winners and Series runners-up Argentina (9:36 pm), who knocked out the Australians in Singapore.
The Pool stages will finish up against Spain (2:16 am, December 3), with the Sevens Series reducing from 16 to 12 teams.
2023 champions New Zealand feature in a brutal Pool A that includes Commonwealth Games champions South Africa, Cape Town winners Samoa and Canada.
Double Olympic gold medal winners Fiji will take on France, USA and Great Britain in Pool C, with the new format set to feature seven regular-season events plus a Grand Final.
“We are excited to kick off what will be a thrilling year for rugby sevens at the Emirates Dubai 7s in December in front of a packed house of knowledgeable, enthusiastic and passionate rugby fans,” World Rugby Chief Competitions and Performance Officer, Nigel Cass said
“With a new and exciting format featuring promotion and relegation plus a ‘winner takes all’ competition at the Grand Final in Madrid, we know the action will be fierce at The Sevens Stadium in Dubai from the opening match on Saturday morning to the final whistle on Sunday evening to get the season underway in style.”
*All times AEDT
Saturday, December 2
Australia Women v Brazil Women, 4:22 pm
Australia Women v Japan Women, 7:21 pm
Australia Women v Ireland Women, 11:51 pm
Saturday, December 2
Australia Men v Ireland Men, 5:28 pm
Australia Men v Argentina Men, 9:36 pm
Sunday, December 3
Australia Men v Spain Men, 2:16 am
