A special edition this week as we recap our amazing time at the 2018 Rugby World Cup 7s tournament in San Francisco, CA. With over 100,000 fans coming through the stadium doors, the event was well run, the weather was fabulous and the rugby was intense!
Next week we’ll return to our regularly scheduled recap. Can’t wait a week? You can always join us on Twitter, Facebook page or Instagram (NEW) as we will be posting daily. Give us a shout!

The YSC team started our adventure in St. George, UT. Wait, WHAT? Yep, you read that right, we had to drop off our son in Utah to hang out with his grandparents for a few days. If you’ve never been to St. George, it’s an absolutely gorgeous city and if you don’t believe me, check out Wendy’s dad’s photos.
We spent a few days in Utah, hiking and seeing the sights. It’s a bit hot at this time of year so everything happens before or after sunrise. On Thursday evening we drove down to Las Vegas to catch our flight to San Francisco. The RWC 7s weekend had begun!
40 captains gather in San Francisco ahead of what is set to be a truly epic #RWC7s pic.twitter.com/ju7YSo5yQn
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 19, 2018
The weekend for the players always starts with the infamous captain’s photo. We love that World Rugby now does a joint photo and separate ones. Imagine the anticipation as you line up for a photo but all you really want to do is get on the pitch…
TIME LAPSE: Incredible transformation of @ATTPark from baseball to rugby.
The action kicks off tomorrow at 1000hrs San Francisco time and last remaining one day tickets are available here: https://t.co/grko0ZyEj4 pic.twitter.com/tppRL4of02
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 19, 2018
If you didn’t see the time lapse video of how Giants Stadium was transformed, take 61 seconds to watch it now!
Competing in their third #RWC7s tournament, @BrasilRugby women are hoping to use flair to their advantage against @RugbyCanada tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/2dzwNP2cdB
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) July 19, 2018
There was so much buildup before the tournament with highlight reels, hype videos, player interviews…it was amazing. One of our favorites was a special on the Brazil women and their “flair.”
Day one of #RWC7s kicks off on Friday at 1000hrs San Francisco time.
Find out where in the world you can watch: https://t.co/gSjXJAsfBy pic.twitter.com/d6HImSxBGZ
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 20, 2018
Fun to see the time zones and why the tournament kickoff time is so important!
It’s going to be huge. Day one of Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 starts at 1000hrs with the women’s round of 16 (San Francisco time)
Every game counts. Knock-out format. Let’s go. pic.twitter.com/y5u6L8PpBf
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 20, 2018
#RWC7s Women: FT:Game 1 @fijirugby 12-19 @ferugby follow LIVE here: https://t.co/IuJ09o5ciW #RWC7s
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 20, 2018
The first match of the tournament ended with Fiji being upended by France. In fact most of the matches went as expected for those of us making predictions.
First upset of the day as Ireland 🇮🇪 takes out England 🏴 19-14. #RWC7s
— YSC Rugby (@yscrugby) July 20, 2018
The first upset of the tournament was Ireland knocking out England 19-14! England struggled to connect while Ireland seemed to get more confident with every touch of the ball.
England women’s 7s is not the force it used to be. Others have innovated and improved far quicker. That early jump to professional status seems to have been squandered. 😕
— David (@davidcuth) July 20, 2018
Your #RWC7s Championship quarter-finals are as follows:@IrishRugby v @BlackFerns @USARugby v @russiarugby @FFRugby v @RugbyCanada @ferugby v @Aussie7s pic.twitter.com/Q8DMZE5buQ
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 20, 2018
After the mornings matches the quarterfinals were set!
#RWC7s Women: FT:Game 9 @englandrugby 59-0 @Rugby_Mexico follow LIVE here: https://t.co/IuJ09o5ciW #RWC7s
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 20, 2018
England redeemed themselves later in the day as they ran riot on Mexico beating them 59-0.
Positives, but also harsh lessons learned from Day One at #RWC7s says #WomenBoks coach, Paul Delport. “Consistency still issue, but team looking forward to clash against Mexico on Saturday to extend learning curve on big stage.” pic.twitter.com/j0bJRAXr70
— Springbok Women (@WomenBoks) July 21, 2018
We really want the HSBC Series expanded but matches like these argue against it. But perhaps the inexperienced teams would do better with regular competition?
— YSC Rugby (@yscrugby) July 20, 2018
All these tourneys should be expanded, and changing the calendar for the Cup and the Olympics for every 2 years is a good start. BUT that means each country’s RFU administration giving a damn about keeping them funded for residency camp and paying for opponents.
— Danielle Porter (@dpwac) July 20, 2018
How else will they improve? Get a bigger pool grow the game
— Brendan O’Malley (@BrendanOMalley3) July 20, 2018
We had some interesting conversations on Twitter about expanding the HSBC Sevens Series. Of course there would be some upsets but teams that only play 1-2 International tournaments (or none) aren’t being exposed to the competition and don’t have the chance develop.
Even if we look at the top six teams they are widening the gap between the rest of the pack. Funding, expanded coaching staff and even some professional environments are making the chasm wider not closer.
HIGHLIGHTS: All the action from the women’s round of 16 on day one of #RWC7s in San Francisco pic.twitter.com/6ndD7QM9kK
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 21, 2018
And then day 1 was over (we stayed to watch the men’s matches). It was a whirlwind but we tromped the 1.5 miles back to our “scary hostel” and bedded down for the night. When you are funding your own rugby trips with donations and only a few sponsors you sometimes have to make the choice of staying at Market St. and 6th. 🙂
Day 2 came quickly and we left the “scary hostel” early to get some breakfast and get into the stadium.
FT | A hat-trick to @BlydeMichaela has helped the #BlackFerns7s to a 45 – 0 win over Ireland.#RWC7s pic.twitter.com/mGqlrFnScV
— Black Ferns (@BlackFerns) July 21, 2018
Ireland wasn’t able to score two upsets as New Zealand looked clinical and scorched them 45-0.
Here’s how the women’s Challenge semi-finals will play out on day two of #RWC7s, with the action kicking off at 0930hrs (GMT-7) on Saturday pic.twitter.com/9WbqeGP16p
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 21, 2018
Really intriguing match between Fiji and Japan. Lots of quick ball with both teams penetrating and looking for the offloads. FIJ 7 JPN 5 at the half.
— YSC Rugby (@yscrugby) July 21, 2018
FT. Wow!!!!! Japan has 30 seconds to score and they did it!!! Took it weak and offloaded for the diving try. FIJ 14 JPN 15.
— YSC Rugby (@yscrugby) July 21, 2018
Japan looked like a different team this morning. Electric with the ball in hand! #RWC7s
— YSC Rugby (@yscrugby) July 21, 2018
Great result for Japan (though you’d expect England to be far too good in the Challenge Final) Fiji’s discipline has killed them. https://t.co/vcsGUP0opS
— Scrumqueens #wrugby (@ScrumQueens) July 21, 2018
On Day 2, Japan had an exciting upset as they kept Fiji under immense pressure. Their defense was intense and they kept the ball out of Fiji’s hands. A tremendous boost for Japan!
#RWC7s Women: FT:Game 21 @irishrugby 20-15 @rugbyrussia follow LIVE here: https://t.co/IuJ09o5ciW #RWC7s
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 21, 2018
Russia also struggled on Day 2 and were missing Baz due to a shoulder injury. Ireland again looking strong with a phenomenal performance from Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe.
#RWC7s Women: FT:Game 22 @ferugby 26-14 @rugbycanada follow LIVE here: https://t.co/IuJ09o5ciW #RWC7s
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 21, 2018
Canada also struggled this tournament as they had a swatch of newer players. Landry and co didn’t seem to have enough experience or speed around them to make any magic happen.
Here’s how the Championship semi-finals played out in the women’s #RWC7s competition, with @BlackFerns and @FFRugby heading into the final! pic.twitter.com/KALBtWjYoi
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 21, 2018
The women’s semi-finals only had one unexpected upset as France surprised Australia 19-12.
It was a huge moment for @FFRugby as they secured a spot in the final at #RWC7s, but will this be your @DHLRugby Moment That Delivers for day two? #RWC7s pic.twitter.com/qtIrokJibZ
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 21, 2018
#RWC7s Women: FT:Game 31 @usawomens7s 14-24 @aussie7s follow LIVE here: https://t.co/IuJ09o5ciW #RWC7s
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 22, 2018
In the 3rd/4th match Australia faced a bolstered USA side who had nothing to lose. Australia stayed true to their form though and took home the Bronze medal.
Haka: the @BlackFerns perform spine tingling Haka after winning the #RWC7s for a second time pic.twitter.com/o6k3kgUQxO
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 22, 2018
#RWC7s Women: FT:Game 32 @nz7s 29-0 @ffrugby follow LIVE here: https://t.co/IuJ09o5ciW #RWC7s
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 22, 2018
And then it was time for the highly anticipated Cup Final between France and New Zealand. While the score line wasn’t what the audience wanted, the match was free flowing and very fast. New Zealand seemed to score at will and while France never got over the white line they were ferocious in defense.
CHAMPIONS! @BlackFerns defend their Rugby World Cup Sevens title with a 29-0 win against @FFRugby in San Francisco! #RWC7s pic.twitter.com/vUOqxYQkEN
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 22, 2018
🏆 Trophy lift: @BlackFerns are your #RWC7s champions pic.twitter.com/NvUsZWVzBz
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 22, 2018
Haka: the @BlackFerns perform spine tingling Haka after winning the #RWC7s for a second time pic.twitter.com/o6k3kgUQxO
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 22, 2018
Your women’s @HSBC_Sport Dream Team for Rugby World Cup Sevens is as follows….
🇳🇿@Sgoss10
🇦🇺@vanipelite95
🇫🇷Anne-Cecile Ciofani
🇺🇸Naya Tapper
🇳🇿@BlydeMichaela
🇫🇷Lina Guerin
🇳🇿@PortiaWoodman #RWC7s pic.twitter.com/rT8x38RcwG— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) July 22, 2018
World Rugby CEO @brettgosper tells media that he is delighted by #RWC7s impact, crowd & competitiveness, confirming more than 100,000 fans have attended over the 3 days @WorldRugby pic.twitter.com/AmOykRMGpT
— dominic rumbles (@dominicrumbles) July 22, 2018
3⃣ @WorldRugby7s Tournament wins 🏆
1⃣ Commonwealth Games medal 🥇
1⃣ #RWC7s title 🏆From all of us at the #BlackFerns7s, thank you for all your support in 2⃣0⃣1⃣8⃣ and we’ll see you next season! pic.twitter.com/RNi9dolxI1
— Black Ferns (@BlackFerns) July 22, 2018
Final Women’s World 7s Cup Placings. 1 New Zealand, 2 France, 3 Australia, 4 USA, 5 Spain, 6 Ireland, 7 Canada, 8 Russia, 9 England, 10 Japan, 11 Fiji, 12 China, 13 Brazil, 14 South Africa, 15 Papau New Guinea, 16 Mexico
— Scrumqueens #wrugby (@ScrumQueens) July 22, 2018
Useful to compare this to the official pre WC seedings… There really were no major “shocks” based on form
1 New Zealand, 2 Australia, 3 Canada, 4 Russia, 5 USA, 6 France, 7 Fiji, 8 England, 9 Ireland, 10 Spain, 11 Japan 12 China, 13 South Africa, 14 Brazil, 15 PNG 16 Mexico— Scrumqueens #wrugby (@ScrumQueens) July 22, 2018
Bill Beaumont hails RWC Sevens 2018 as “one of the great rugby events” https://t.co/38ihproGXZ
— YSC Rugby (@yscrugby) July 26, 2018
Just like that…the weekend was over. We had sat in the sun watching rugby for a glorious three days. We saw old friends, made new friends and watched the best rugby on the planet. If you couldn’t make it this time around, start planning for the next RWC event. And don’t be naive and think that only the men’s events are worth going to, this event proved that women’s rugby is here, it’s fast, fun and just as intense.
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