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POOL A: Rebels, Chiefs, Wild Knights, Waratahs
POOL B: Reds, Blues, Samoa, Crusaders
POOL C: Brumbies, Highlanders, Bulls
POOL D: Force, Hurricanes, Toulon
Eight teams progress into the finals
http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/li...4ca4df9d71816d
Interesting that only the Bulls from SA are coming over, good to see all 5 Kiwi teams are in. Sadly no teams from the UK but understandably so as they would be in the middle of their leagues.
I would imagine that's why only the Bulls are coming over, whilst I haven't seen their fixture I assume they are starting the 2017 Super Rugby season in either NZ or Australia?
Shame they can't have 4 pools of 4 sides.
Wrong assumption jargs, Bulls are starting in SA and more importantly the 10s tournament is a couple of weeks before the start of Super Rugby so would not think that any team would stay an additional 2 weeks away from home. The Sharks first game is against the Reds in Brisbane on the 24 Feb!
I guess the other sides didn't want to add to the travel burden but to be fair they're on on the road for 4 weeks max when they visit Australia and NZ and spend the other 12 odd weeks at home within South Africa.
You think they would be fine with 2 weeks rest before the season though.
They're starting in RSA but maybe they have some trial games scheduled over east - there is supposed to be a week of trial games around Brisbane before the tournament itself. The organisers have been talking to teams for 2 or 3 years so it's probably hard to factor in the Super Rugby draw when approaching teams (I assume that's why Panasonic Wild Knights are coming instead of the Sunwolves as the Sunwolves didn't exist until late last year).
I assume they'll aim for 4 pools of 4 teams in future - they're already talking to Fiji about entering a team next year.
The cheapest category seats are just about sold out.
Western Force 2 time Global 10s Champions has a nice ring to it.
Queensland Reds target Latham as Global Tens wildcard
Jim Tucker
The Courier-Mail
November 16, 2016 11:07am
AN exciting wildcard provision is tempting the Queensland Reds to woo former trump Chris Latham for a one-off comeback at rugby’s Brisbane Global Tens.
Watching a possible cameo from Latham at 41 plus the “legend” choices of the 13 other teams is extra crowd-pulling power for the visionary tournament on February 11-12.
The countdown to the season lift-off at Suncorp Stadium heated up on Wednesday morning in the Queen Street Mall with the four-pool draw.
The draw did the Reds no favours with the home side drawn beside Auckland’s Blues, the Christchurch-based Crusaders and Samoa in Pool B.
“It’s not an easy draw but no pool has one,” Reds coach Nick Stiles said.
“The Tens are an important part of our season and we want to show our improvements most of all in work ethic, defence and skills in what should be a fast and physical start to 2017.”
NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson was on hand to see his team drawn in Pool A to play the free-running Chiefs, Melbourne Rebels and the Panasonic Wild Knights, the Japanese club of former Waratah Berrick Barnes.
“The Tens will be a great opportunity for some of our new players to showcase what they’ve got and, of course, Israel Folau is a Global Tens ambassador so he’ll be playing,” Gibson said.
French giants Toulon were drawn in Pool D beside the Western Force and the Super Rugby-winning Hurricanes.
South Africa’s Bulls, the ACT Brumbies and Highlanders make up Pool C.
Pope the Possum, the psychic marsupial chosen to pick the winner, froze and was too shy to nominate a team despite the temptation of jam and leaves in paper cups representing each team.
Bumping the Reds cup was enough for nominal favouritism for the home side.
The event will feature 10-player teams playing 10-minute halves in a 28-game tournament over two days.
The legend provision has been one of the most popular elements of rugby league’s Auckland Nines.
It has been a hit since a 42-year-old Brad Fittler snapped out off retirement with a 50m intercept try for the Roosters in 2014, while the Cowboys generated wonderful support this year when drafting Matt Bowen for a final run at 33.
The Reds have informally sounded out Latham, who has stayed fit as an assistant coach of NTT Docomo in Japan.
He is only four years into retirement because he played on in England and Japan until 2012 after ending his decorated career as Reds fullback in 2008 with a club record 41 tries.
The wildcard provision offers many intriguing twists because Auckland’s Blues coach Tana Umaga may still have a gallop in his legs at 43.
“There is a provision for each team to bring in a wildcard player,” Brisbane Global Tens chief executive Rachael Carroll said.
“This is another unique aspect of the tournament that will hugely appeal to fans.’’
Reds fullback Karmichael Hunt, who will use the Tens as part of his comeback from groin surgery, is not daunted by the draw.
“We’re excited to play a couple of Kiwi sides but also the Samoan team. You’ve got to expect the Samoan boys to turn up because they’ll have a lot of support in Brisbane and will want to do their country proud,” Hunt said.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/...346e86a37c10fd
Wonder what the Honeybadger is up to in Feb?
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
In addition to the Hurricanes and Toulon, the Force will play the Bulls in a 'cross-pool' match.
Heading over with the old man. Flights and accommodation booked. Few days in Cairns before hand.
Anyone else heading over for the tournament?
Interesting bit about a trial in this story
Tough draw for Western Force at inaugural Global 10s tournament in February
Nick Taylor, PerthNow
December 1, 2016 4:10pm
WESTERN Force have been handed a tough draw in the inaugural Brisbane Global 10s competition in February.
They face reigning Super Rugby champions Hurricanes, French glamour club Toulon and the Bulls in their pool matches on the opening day.
The club are expected to unveil a number of new signings including Curtis Rona and Chance Peni who have been lured back from rugby league and former Australian 7s player Bill Meakes who has returned after a stint with English club Gloucester.
Fly-half Jono Lance should be available after breaking his arm playing for the Wallabies against the French Barbarians last week.
The Force will treat the two-day competition as a dress rehearsal for their Super season that opens with three Australian derby clashes against the Waratahs in Sydney, Queensland Reds at nib Stadium and the Brumbies in Canberra.
They are expected to play a trial match against another Super side while in Queensland.
Force coach Dave Wessels said the tournament would give him the first chance to test his side against quality opposition.
“We will be using the tournament as a serious part of our preparation for the 2017 Super Rugby season, and we hope to play some exciting rugby for the fans to enjoy,” Wessels said.
I will be up in Thailand for the Bangkok 10's two weeks later