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The 2012 Uprising Fiji International 7s in Suva that will be held 20-21 January
at Suva’s TFL National Stadium.

The team will be led by well-known “high blood pressure” coach Thierry Janeczek, who has been involved with France 7s since the start of the IRB 7s World Series in 1999.

Last season, a France development team lost narrowly 24-19 to Nadroga in the Bowl quarter-finals. But that experience has persuaded them to return for the 2012 Uprising Fiji International 7s, especially now that rugby 7s will be part of the Olympic Games in 2016.

The Uprising Fiji International 7s also kicks off the Centenary Year for Fiji Rugby, celebrating 100 years of rugby in the capital.

Tahitia Kamea, Uprising Fiji International 7s spokesperson, said she expected a very strong line-up of teams for the 2012 Uprising Fiji International 7s, underlining the tournament’s reputation as one of the toughest around.

"In the weeks ahead, we will announce the rest of the international and local teams taking part in the 2012 Uprising Fiji International 7s,” she said.

Australia to return to the Island

The 2012 Uprising Fiji International 7s that will be held 20-21 January at Suva’s TFL National Stadium. This will be the first time for an Australian 7s side to visit Fiji since February 2000 when Glen Ella’s team reached the semi-
finals of the old Fiji International 7s.

“This is just wonderful news,” Tahitia Kamea, Uprising Fiji International 7s spokesperson, said. “We have wanted to raise the profile of the teams participating from last year, and hosting the Aussie Thunderbolts is the first
step towards achieving this.”

“The focus of the Uprising Fiji International 7s is to bring the finest quality 7s rugby to Fiji in the same 16-team format as the HSBC IRB 7s World Series,” Ms Kamea said.

Australia now join Thierry Janeczek’s French side as the first two overseas teams to line-up with the best club sides in Fiji.

Coach Michael O’Connor noted it has been “several years since we have played in a sevens tournament in Fiji and we are excited to return to Fiji and look forward to participating in the Uprising Fiji International 7s.”

“We know that the level of competition will be extremely strong with a good mix of international teams and the depth of talent from the Fiji sides,” he said.

Eric Rush to launch Uprising Fiji Int’l 7s

Sevens rugby legend Eric Rush, the most decorated player ever in the abbreviated code, will be chief guest at this Friday’s official launch of the 2012 Uprising Fiji International 7s that will be held 20-21 January at Suva’s
TFL National Stadium.

“Rushie” last visited Suva 12 years ago when he led his New Zealand 7s team to victory at the Fiji International 7s in the first IRB 7s World Series.

“I’m definitely looking forward to returning to Fiji,” Rush said after confirming his attendance. “I’ve got many wonderful memories of playing rugby there, and I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Uprising Fiji International 7s.”

The official launch will be held at the Uprising Fiji Beach Resort in Pacific Harbour, the host club of the tournament.

“I had plenty of battles against the Fijians, especially in the early days of the IRB circuit; so it’ll be nice to come and meet some old rugby friends again,” he said.

Rush led New Zealand to six successive IRB 7s Series titles, one Rugby World Cup 7s, and two Commonwealth Games gold medals. He played at 16 Hong Kong 7s tournaments between 1988 and 2004, winning seven times.

In 15s, Rush played 29 times for the All Blacks, including nine Test matches, and scored 18 tries. He was part of the All Blacks squad that finished runners-up at the 1995 RWC in South Africa. He played provincial rugby for 15 years,

Representing Auckland, North Harbour, Waikato Chiefs, the Maori, and the British Barbarians. Ironically, the Aucklander began as a flanker until Harbour coach Peter Thorburn moved him to the wing. He last played for New Zealand in 2005 at age 39.

The multi-talented Rush, who holds a law degree and was admitted to the bar as Barrister, has also represented New Zealand at touch rugby, was in the New Zealand U17 volleyball team, and won a light-heavyweight New
Zealand Schoolboys boxing title whilst still at school.

Tahitia Kamea, Uprising Fiji International 7s spokesperson, said it was a great honour to have Eric Rush at the official launch of the Uprising Fiji International 7s.

“We are nothing short of delighted that Eric has taken time out of his busy schedule to attend the launch,” she said. “He is a true legend of the game, and I’m sure he’ll have a few stories to tell us.”

Ms Kamea added that Rush had kindly accepted the invitation to be at the launch after New Zealand 7s coach Gordon Tietjens was unable to make it owing to personal commitments.