Scottwood Trust New
Zealand National Rugby League 7's

The NZRL would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that just like our Rugby Union counterparts in Wellington, there is some fantastic Rugby League action happening here in Auckland this weekend with the Scottwood Trust NZ National Rugby League 7's.

The World Rugby League Sevens was originally introduced in 1988, but it was not until 1995 that a hand picked New Zealand team had the opportunity to participate in the tournament.

This, however, was short lived with the World Sevens dying out in 1997 due to the inception of the Super League Competition.

In 2003, the World Rugby League Sevens was back, therefore the NZRL Chairman, Mr Selwyn Pearson had no hesitation in approaching the Internation Federation for inclusion in the 2004 tournament. We were absolutely thrilled that the request for New Zealand to re-enter the World's was accepted, and with the support of the Scottwood Trust our National Sevens went over to Sydney and did extremely well against some fierce opposition placing second in their pool.

Our own Scottwood Trust National Sevens tournament held at North Harbour Stadium, Albany on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 February 2005, will also be a great spectacle with a couple of full days of entertaining 7's Rugby League. Twenty teams will take part in the tournament spread over 5 pools with all of the 12 Bartercard Cup Franchises participating and this year also seeing the inclusion of Northland, Gisborne/Tairawhiti, West Coast, Otago,Canterbury Provincial, NZ Defence Force,Taranaki and Hawkes Bay.

The World Sevens tournament has been put on hold for this season, although a New Zealand domestic team is being selected at the conclusion of the weekend to participate at the prestigious St Mary's Invitation Sevens in Sydney on 12 and 13 February 2005.

The St Mary's Sevens tournament and will see the NZ Residents up against tough rivals in Fiji and American Samoa in the round robin. Other notable teams include Penrith, Wests, Malta, Cook Islands and NZ Maori to name a few. (Draw is attached).

Tickets are available from North Harbour Stadium, plus gate sales on the day. Ticket prices are $10 for an adult one day pass, $15 for an adult two day pass, $5 for children under 16 and kids under 12 are FREE. Again, we are proudly supported by the Mad Butcher. By purchasing any adult ticket punters will receive a voucher for 30 FREE pre-cooked BBQ sausages - valued at $10

2005 VB St Marys Sevens Draw 12 teams

POOL 1 POOL 2 POOL 3 POOL 4 Penrith Wests NZ Residents Malta Doonside Newtown Fiji A Cook Islands Jim Beam Cup Winner St Marys American Samoa NZ / Aus Maoris

Time Pool Field 1 12.20 Pool 1 Penrith v Doonside 12.40 Pool 2 Wests v Newtown 1.00 Pool 3 NZ Residents v Fiji A 1.20 Pool 4 Malta v Cook Islands 1.40 Pool 1 Penrith v Jim Beam Winner 2.00 Pool 2 Wests v St Marys 2.20 Pool 3 NZ Residents v American Samoa 2.40 Pool 4 Malta v NZ / Aus Maoris 3.00 Pool 1 Jim Beam Winner v Doonside 3.20 Pool 2 St Marys v Newtown 3.40 Pool 3 American Samoa v Fiji A 4.00 Pool 4 NZ / Aus Maoris v Cook Islands 5.10 Semi 1 Bowl 3rd Pool 1 v Pool 2 5.30 Semi 2 Bowl 3rd Pool 3 v Pool 4 5.50 Semi 1 Plate 2nd Pool 1 v Pool 2 6.10 Semi 2 Plate 2nd Pool 3 v Pool 4 6.30 Semi 1 Winner Pool 1 v Pool 2 6.50 Semi 2 Winner Pool 3 v Pool 4 7.15 Final Bowl Winner Semi 1 v Semi 2 7.35 Bowl Presentation 7.45 Final Plate Winner Semi 1 v Semi 2 8.05 Plate Presentation 8.15 Final Winner Semi 1 v Semi 2 8.35 Presentation