• • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Technorati
  • Reddit
  • Stumble Upon
  • Furl

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 kicks off on Thursday at Dubai's brand new sports complex 'The Sevens', the first of three thrilling days of world class men's and women's action.

A total of 24 men's and 16 women's squads will compete for the ultimate prize in Dubai, having emerged from the numerous qualifying battles, involving 87 men's and 83 women's teams around the globe over the past year. And now it's time to determine who will be crowned world champions.

The first 12 pool matches will be played in the men's competition on day one and some of them will be crucial in deciding the make-up of the Melrose Cup quarter finals.

Whereas the top two in each of the four women's pools proceed to the Cup quarter finals, only the pool winners in the men's competition are guaranteed Melrose Cup quarter final places on the third and final day.

Those six teams will be joined by the two best runners-up, making a few of the men's encounters on the first day must-win games for sides harbouring genuine aspirations of proceeding to the last eight, and beyond.

Richard Vaughan, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, East Asia and Australasia said, 'Emirates is very excited to be involved in the hosting of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009. Emirates has had a long association with rugby both in the region and worldwide, it is wonderful to now welcome the finest men's and women's Sevens players in the world to compete on the greatest stage the sport has to offer right here in Dubai.'

Vilimoni Delasau, a member of Fiji's men's squad who won the Melrose Cup at the last Rugby World Cup Sevens in Hong Kong in 2005 said, 'I believe we have a good team and I believe we are capable of defending the World Cup. It's not going to be easy - defending the World Cup is every team's aim, but we have been playing well here.'

'If this was the first, second or third World Cup for women's Sevens we'd want to win it,' added England women's coach Simon Amor, whose side is tipped by many to become the first to have their nation's name inscribed on the women's cup.

'All our players want to be world champions and they dream of playing in a World Cup final and that is what we have been building up to over the last 12 months,' he added.

'Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai promises to take the Sevens Game to new levels. Not only is it the biggest ever IRB tournament, promising fantastic action and a festival atmosphere, but it will also be a landmark event for Rugby as for the we look forward to welcoming the finest women's players in the world to the inaugural Women's Rugby World Cup Sevens,' said Bernard Lapasset, Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman.

'It is our aim that this tournament will leave a legacy, not only for the participating players and Rugby World Cup Sevens, but also for the continued growth and development of Rugby in West Asia. I would like to thank Principal Partner Emirates Airline and the Arabian Gulf for their superb organisation of this special event and their strong backing of Rugby in the Region and the host of official sponsors and suppliers for their generous support,' he added.

'It is a great honour to be hosting the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai,' said Andy Cole, Chairman of the host union, the Arabian Gulf Rugby Football Union.

'The Middle East is renowned for its warm hospitality and tremendous ability in staging magnificent sporting events, and the Rugby World Cup Sevens will arguably be the most prestigious event ever held in the Arabian Gulf Region.

With the first class facilities at The Sevens complex in Dubai, the scene is set for a fantastic World Cup that will be truly memorable,' he added.