ABSTRACT
During the past 20 years, seven-a-side rugby has become both an established and very important aspect of the international rugby scene. It has been boosted by the popularity of the Rugby Sevens World Cup, every four years, and the new annual 10-tournament IRB World Sevens Series. The latest and most ambitious addition to the international rugby scene, the IRB World Sevens Series sets in place another important element in the IRB’s drive to establish rugby as a truly global sport. New Zealand was crowned the inaugural IRB World Sevens Series champion for 1999/2000 after winning tournaments in Dubai, Punta del Este, Suva, Hong Kong and Paris. The 2000/2001 IRB World Sevens Series was also won by New Zealand, after being victorious in Durban, Dubai, Hong Kong, Tokyo, London and Cardiff.
