Ex-All Blacks to compete in maiden Spinnaker 7s tournament

The competition takes places at Havant Rugby Club tomorrow (9am) and 36 teams from across the country will flock to Hooks Lane.

There will be a men’s and ladies tournament and former All Black internationals are expected to participate.

Before the competition, Havant Rugby Club will show the British & Irish Lions’ all-important third Test against New Zealand as the tournament’s curtain raiser.

Havant first-team coach Dylan Raubenheimer revealed his excitement and insists there will be high-class rugby on offer.

He said: ‘Being the premier club in the area, we’ve never hosted anything like this – we felt it was time to do so.

‘We will have some ex-All Blacks playing for teams from across the country and it is going to be a high-profile event.

‘In a few years, we’re hoping it will be like the Bournemouth 7s.

‘Hampshire have had success in the County Championship at Twickenham and the tournament is a really good way to promote rugby on the south cast.

‘There’s a really good feel-good factor around rugby at the minute. Sevens rugby is a faster pace and the women’s game has really grown.’

For more information visit facebook.com/spinnaker7s/