Samoa’s men and Australia’s women celebrated on Saturday after claiming the Oceania Sevens titles and securing their passage to Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in the process.
Tonga and New Zealand, though, by virtue of reaching the final will join Samoa and Australia as Oceania’s two qualifiers in the men’s and women’s events at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 in Dubai from 5-7 March.
The schedule for further qualification and those already through
South America (CONSUR)
Men’s & Women’s qualifiers – Punta del Este, 18-19 January 2008
Men: Argentina (direct qualifiers from RWC Sevens 2005) & Uruguay
Women: Brazil
Europe (FIRA-AER)
Men’s qualifiers – Hannover, 12-13 July 2008; Women’s qualifiers – Limoges, 14-15 June 2008
Men: England, France, Scotland (direct qualifiers from RWC Sevens 2005), Portugal, Wales, Ireland, Georgia & Italy
Women: England, Netherlands, France, Russia, Spain & Italy
Oceania (FORU)
Men’s & Women’s qualifiers – Samoa, 25-26 July 2008
Men: Fiji, New Zealand, Australia (direct qualifiers from RWC Sevens 2005), Samoa & Tonga
Women: Australia & New Zealand
Upcoming Qualifiers:
Africa (CAR)
Men’s – Tunisia, 31 October-1 November ; Women’s – Uganda, 20-21 September 2008
– Three men’s teams to qualify (South Africa direct qualifier from RWC Sevens 2005)
– Two women’s teams to qualify
Asia (ARFU)
Men’s & Women’s qualifiers – Hong Kong, 4-5 October
– Two men’s teams to qualify (Arabian Gulf qualify as Host Union)
– Three women’s teams to qualify
North America (NAWIRA)
Men’s & Women’s qualifiers – Bahamas, 25-26 October 2008
– Two men’s teams to qualify
– Two women’s teams to qualify