Top Rugby Sevens Teams and Championships

Rugby Sevens: speed and excitement in every play! Meet the big names in this competition!

If you are not familiar with Rugby Sevens yet, get ready to be amazed.

These are fast-paced matches, with two halves of seven minutes and only seven players on each side, but the excitement… that comes doubled!

This accelerated format has won fans worldwide, become an Olympic sport, and revealed powerful teams that shine in the main championships on the planet.

In this article, you will discover the top teams, the most prestigious tournaments, and understand why this sport is pure adrenaline from start to finish.

Ready to dive into this universe?

1. Most Successful Men’s Teams in This Modality

When talking about the teams that have shone the most in Rugby Sevens, it’s easy to see how the competition is full of tradition and talent.

Check out the main teams dominating this modality:

• New Zealand: Absolute leader with 12 World Series titles, 3 World Cups, and 5 gold medals at the Commonwealth Games. The All Blacks Sevens are synonymous with strength and consistency.
  
• Fiji: Known for their vibrant and skillful style, two-time Olympic champions (2016 and 2020), three-time World Cup champions (1997, 2005, and 2022), and the only team to achieve the Sevens Treble — World Series, World Cup, and Olympics.
  
• Australia: 2021-22 World Series champions and World Cup runners-up, always a strong and competitive team.
  
• France: Surprised by winning the Olympic gold in 2024, defeating Fiji in a historic final, showing their evolution and potential.
  

2. Top Women’s Teams Worldwide

In the world of women’s Rugby Sevens, some teams stand out for their talent and achievements.

Let’s get to know the main ones:

• New Zealand (Black Ferns Sevens): Holders of 5 World Series titles, 2 World Cups, and Olympic gold medals in 2020 and 2024. Their strength and technique inspire fans around the world.
  
• Australia: Olympic champions in 2016 and winners of the first women’s World Cup in 2009. A team that consistently appears on the podium.
  
• Canada: Highlighted in the circuit with athlete Ghislaine Landry, the highest scorer in the history of women’s Rugby Sevens. Portia Woodman, from New Zealand, leads in tries scored.

3. Most Important Rugby Sevens Tournaments Worldwide

World Series (SVNS)

• The World Series (SVNS) is the main annual competition for men and women, with stages in cities like Dubai, Perth, Cape Town, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Vancouver.
• Starting in the 2025-26 season, SVNS will have a revamped format, divided into three divisions, SVNS 1, 2, and 3, along with a World Championship featuring three tournaments to decide the yearly champions.

Rugby Sevens World Cup

• The World Cup takes place every 3 or 4 years, gathering the best teams on the planet.
• In the men’s category, New Zealand and Fiji dominate, while in the women’s category, teams from New Zealand and Australia are the main powers.

Olympic Games

Since 2016, Rugby Sevens has been part of the Olympic Games, gaining even more global visibility.

• Fiji won the first two men’s editions, with France surprising by taking gold in 2024.
• In the women’s category, Australia and New Zealand alternate on top of the podium.

Hong Kong Sevens

The Hong Kong Sevens is known for its festive atmosphere and high technical level, being one of the most prestigious stages in the circuit. It attracts thousands of passionate fans, becoming a classic event.

World Rugby Sevens Challenger

The World Rugby Sevens Challenger acts as the global second division, where teams compete for a spot in the main SVNS.

4. Understand the Rules of the Rugby Sevens Modality

Rugby Sevens is a fast and thrilling version of traditional rugby.

Each team plays with only 7 players on the field, and the matches are quick: two halves of 7 minutes each, with just a 1-minute interval. In the finals, this time can extend to up to 10 minutes per half, making it even more intense.

The objective of the game remains scoring tries, which means crossing the opponent’s goal line to earn points. But since the field is the same and there are fewer players, there is plenty of space for speed and quick plays to shine.

Besides the fast pace, the sport values fair play and respect among players, ensuring clean matches and a healthy competitive spirit.

If you haven’t yet watched a full match, it’s definitely worth it.

The combination of speed, technique, and emotion makes this modality a unique experience for fans of vibrant sports.

5. Curiosities and Rivalries of Rugby Sevens

Rugby Sevens is a sport full of interesting stories and rivalries that heat up the fields.

Here are some facts that add even more color to this vibrant modality:

• Rugby Sevens was created in 1883 in Scotland by Ned Haig, with the aim of financially supporting his club in Melrose. Since then, the sport has continually grown in popularity.
  
• Ben Gollings, from England, is the highest points scorer in the men’s circuit, while Dan Norton, also English, leads in tries scored.
  
• In the women’s scene, Portia Woodman stands out as the top try scorer, impressing with her technique and speed.
  
• DJ Forbes, from New Zealand, is the player with the most matches played in the World Series, showing great longevity and passion for the game.
  

The rivalry between New Zealand and Fiji is one of the most intense and traditional, marked by exciting confrontations, unique styles, and many victories for both sides.

Conclusion

Rugby Sevens stands out as a vibrant and intense sport. Speed and technique are crucial.

With historic teams like New Zealand and Fiji dominating championships and the sport gaining increasing global visibility, including its presence in the Olympics, Rugby Sevens continues to captivate fans around the world.

With prestigious tournaments such as the World Series and the World Championship, this electrifying form of rugby promises to maintain its position as one of the most exciting and fastest sports in the contemporary sports scene.