Sevens Rugby is set to make its debut in the World Games in Akita, Japan next weekend.

The Games, held over August 25-26, will see thirty-two sports played with 3,250 competitors representing over 80 different Countries.

"This is Rugby Unions first time participating in the World Games, in what will be an excellent competition of high standards, the tournament should be a continuation of the increasing recognition of Rugby's worth as a truly international sport within a multi-games environment" said Vernon Pugh QC, IRB Chairman.

The eight competing countries are Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa. The teams include several new caps as well as notable sevens players - Weisale Serevi (Fiji) Richard Graham (Australia), Craig De Goldi (New Zealand) and Jacques Olivier (South Africa).

The eight teams are divided into two pools -

Pool A: New Zealand, Fiji, Canada and France
Pool B: Australia, South Africa, Great Britain and Japan

Saturday 25th August 2001
Match 1, 10:00am: New Zealand v Canada
Match 2, 10:25am: Fiji v France
Match 3, 10:50am: Australia v Great Britain
Match 4, 11:15am: South Africa v Japan
Match 5, 12:10pm: New Zealand v France
Match 6, 12:35pm: Fiji v Canada
Match 7, 1.00pm: Australia v Japan
Match 8, 1.25pm: South Africa v Great Britain
Match 9, 2.05pm: Canada v France
Match 10, 2.30pm: New Zealand v Fiji
Match 11, 2.55pm: Great Britain v Japan
Match 12, 3.20pm Australia v South Africa

Sunday, 26th August 2001
10:00am: Quarterfinals - A1 (Winner Pool A) v B4 (Loser Pool B)
10:25am: Quarterfinals - B2 v A3
10:50am: Quarterfinals - B1 v A4
11:15am: Quarterfinals - A2 v B3
12:10pm: Loser M13 v Loser M14
12:35pm: Loser M15 v Loser M16
1.00pm: Winner M13 v Winner M14
1.25pm: Winner M15 v Winner M16
2.05pm: Loser M17 v Loser M18
2.30pm: Winner M17 v Winner M18
2.55pm: Loser M19 v Loser M20
3:25pm: Winner M17 v Winner M18

TEAMS

AUSTRALIA: Patrick Howard, Richard Graham, Julian Huxley, Scott Barton, David Croft, Patrick Phibbs, John Roe, Robert McDonald, Michael Tabrett, Tui Junior Talaia, Mark Kenna
Brian Smith - Manager, Julian Gardner - Coach

CANADA: Trevor Hammond, Jeff Williams, Michael Danskin, Ed Fairhurst, Marc Di Girolamo, Jesse Frender, Tyler Wish, Shane Thompson, Rob Card, Matt Cohen, Spence McTavish
Douglas Tate - Manager, Michael Yates - Coach

FIJI: Jope Tuikabe, Alifereti Doviverata, Sisaro Koyamaibole, Daniele Baleinadogo, Viliame Satala, Weisale Serevi, Fero Lasagavibau, Vilimoni Delasau, Norman Ligairi, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Qoro Ratudradra
Alifereti Cawamibuka - Manager, Peni Veidreyaki - Coach

FRANCE: Ludovic Valbon, Johan Dallariva, Nicolas Le Roux, Patrick Bosque, Julien Carraud, Jerome Daret, Nicolas Raffault, Christophe Corot, Mickael Mabillon, Davy Larguet, Olivier Lavorel,
Roger Fite - Manager, Thierry Janeczek - Coach

GREAT BRITAIN: Chris McKerry, Gareth Williams, Luke Sheriff, Robert Stewart, Justin Thomas, Emyr Lewis, Andy Maxwell, Simon Hunt, Mark Lee, John Rudd, Terry Newsome
John Ryan - Manager, Collin Hillman - Coach

JAPAN: Yuuki Okuzono, Wataru Ikeda, Kensuke Iwabuchi, Yoshihiko Kakuhama, Kazuya Kawashima, Hajime Kiso, Kou Nakamura, Hideyuki Yoshida, Shinichi Tsukida, Hideyuki Yamauchi, Akiko Shindo
Kazuhiko Honjyo - Manager, Gary Wallace - Coach

NEW ZEALAND: Christopher Smylie, Gideon Viliamu, Scott Waldrom, Sione Kepu, Ross Martin, Dononvan Nepia, Mana Ashford, Craig De Goldi, Kevin McQuoid (2 further players tbc)
Tony Ward - Manager, Eric Rush - Coach

SOUTH AFRICA: Marius Schoeman, Jacques Olivier, Barry Jacobs, Paul Treu, Johan Calitz, Gcobani Bobo, Fabien Juries, Helgard Brink, Jorie Muller, Daniel Philander, Greg Mackenzie
Chester Williams - Manager, Norman Mbiko - Coach