World Sevens Series

The New Zealand Sevens is back on the circuit following a two-year absence due to the COVID pandemic.

The resurrected Hamilton event, which will run over two days from January 21, will feature full men's and women's draws.

New Zealand Rugby Head of Tournaments & Competitions, Cameron Good, said the announcement was a feel-good moment after two tough years for the events industry.

Women players will have a chance to warm up for Tokyo with back-to-back tournaments in Paris in May but the first men's event is not scheduled until October.

World Rugby announced that five women's and four men's rounds have been finalised, with the addition of two more men's events still under discussion.

After the Paris women's events on May 15-16 and May 22-23 the Series takes a break for the Olympic repechage in June - the final qualification event ahead of the Tokyo Games which begins on July 23.

Fiji internationals Napolioni Bolaca and Aminiasi Tuimaba were joined in star-studden men's line-up by Fiji born Tavite Veredamu, who impressive season with France.

Bolaca was the top point-scorer on the global circuit last season while Tuimaba earned a second successive selection after finishing third in the series try-scoring tally, behind Ireland's Jordan Conroy and American speedster Carlin Isles.

Tuimaba arrived home yesterday morning to join his family who are mourning the loss of his grandfather, who the Yasawa speedster attributes much of his rugby and professional success to.

Ikanikoda sustained a high grade ankle injury in the Monday's Cup final defeat by South Africa in Los Angeles.

Fiji coach Gareth Baber said the squad was fortunate to have enough depth that he could call upon replacements without disruption to their preparation for Canada.

Head coach Gareth Baber said the Police star's consistent work ethic and attitude to training has impressed.

"He's got a maturity about his game, and he knows the game of sevens, he just loves to work, he's got a great work ethic and that's what we love about him."

The other 13 players in the touring squad remain unchanged with Meli Derenalagi retaining the captaincy in the continued absence of regular skipper Paula Dranisinukula.

Twenty-eight teams will take part in the first fully integrated men's and women's international tournament to be played in New Zealand.

Both the All Blacks Sevens and the Black Ferns Sevens teams come to Hamilton victorious from the previous round held at the end of last year in Cape Town.

All of the 28 teams have now arrived in Hamilton.

The teams have spread out around the city making time between training to promote the game and visit hospitals, rest homes and get involved with younger players.

A new format has been placed by World Rugby for the tournament next month where teams who finish first in their pools will directly qualify to the semifinals.

Fiji who is the defending Hamilton 7s champion will need to win all their pool matches to keep their hopes of retaining their title alive.

Fiji is pooled with Australia, Argentina, and Samoa.

Cape Town 7s champions New Zealand are in Pool A with Scotland, USA and Wales while South Africa are in Pool B with Kenya, England and Japan.

France has been drawn with Ireland, Canada and Spain in Pool C.

Since Fiji won Olympic gold in August, champion coach Ben Ryan and a handful of players have departed the team.

Welshman Gareth Baber has been appointed head coach through to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but doesn't take the reins until January.

Despite a number of changes to the Fiji set-up only two new caps have been selected for the opening legs in Dubai and Cape Town.

Interim coach Naca Cawanibuka said expectations remain the same.