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Tickets have gone on sale for the fifth leg of the IRB World Series at the Adelaide Sevens (19-21 March).

Last year’s event was won by South Africa who beat first time finalists Kenya in the final. It was a win which pushed them that bit nearer to clinching their first ever overall Series win.

The 2010 event will once again kick off under Adelaide Oval’s lights on Friday 19th March at 5.30pm, giving Adelaide CBD workers and Rugby fans from across the country the perfect start to the weekend’s festival of Rugby.

Australian Sevens coach Michael O’Conner will shortly be leading his side to Dubai for the opening leg of the Series with a young squad once again hoping to make strides.

To coincide with the release of tickets for Australian leg of the Series, O’Conner visited Pembroke School, one of the region’s top Rugby institutions, to inspire the game’s next generation.

Ten members of the school are already a part of SA Rugby’s Academy program, that is aimed at honing the skills of South Australian players and boosting the State’s talent pool.

“There is a tremendous opportunity to be involved in the world’s premier sporting event through Sevens Rugby,” O’Connor said.

“Not only can young players dream of one day pulling on the gold jersey, they can also dream of representing Australia at the Olympics.

“Sevens utilises all the skills of a great athlete – speed, stamina, and strength and its inclusion in the Olympics will give added meaning to representing Australia.”

Stannard rules out

Halfback Nicholas Phipps has been called into the Australian Sevens team as a replacement for injured playmaker James Stannard, who has been ruled out of the opening two tournaments of the IRB Sevens World Series.

Stannard suffered a hamstring tear which will keep him out of the Dubai tournament on December 4-5 and the South African leg in George on Dec 12-13.

The former Western Force and Brumbies scrumhalf underwent a MRI scan on Thursday to assess the extent of the damage and will likely be out of action for three weeks.

Australian Sevens coach Michael O’Connor has elected to persevere with his youth policy, naming Sydney University rookie Phipps as the 11th debutant in his 18-man squad.

Experienced utility back Brian Sefanaia is also in a race to be fit for Dubai after sustaining a slight, grade one calf injury.
 

Click here for your tickets to the Adelaide Sevens!

2010 Adelaide Sevens teams:

Argentina
Australia
England
Fiji
France
Japan
Kenya
New Zealand
Niue
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Scotland
South Africa
Tonga
USA
Wales