NACRA 7's Preview

For the U.S. and Canada, the long road through the IRB Sevens Series to next June’s 7’s Rugby World Cup in Moscow begins this weekend at the annual NACRA 7’s championship. The tournament, which will take place at Twin Elm Rugby Park in Ottawa, Ontario, will also serve as the North American and Caribbean qualifying tournament for the 2013 7’s RWC with the two finalists earning a place in the tournament. The third place team will be invited to next year’s Hong Kong 7’s. Even though there are 11 teams participating in the men’s tournament (six will be playing in the women’s tournament), the U.S. and Canada are heavy favorites to take home the title and the 7’s RWC berths. Outside of those two Guyana seems to be the favorite, but what about the rest? In my latest RugbyRugby article I take a long (and I mean long) look at each team in the tournament to give a better idea of what kind of talent is out there, and what kind of competition the U.S. can expect this weekend.