The organisers of the Adelaide leg of the IRB Sevens have announced12 of the 16 competing teams, with Australia set to join defending champions Fiji as well as traditional rivals England, France, New Zealand and South Africa at the Adelaide Oval across the 2007 Easter long weekend.
The current Adelaide Sevens line-up is Fiji, England, South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, France, Samoa, Australia, Canada, Scotland, Kenya and Portugal, with the remaining four teams to be announced in the New Year.
South Australian Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says the Sevens Series adds to South Australia's growing calendar of sporting, arts and cultural events.
"Events like these help to fill our hotels, restaurants and shops and give us a chance to beam our State's brilliant blend around the world," the Minister said.
"The iRB Sevens World Series will generate massive international television coverage in many of our major tourism markets, including the UK, New Zealand, France, Japan, USA and the Middle East.
"I urge all fans of rugby and those who just like to have a good time to purchase their tickets now."
Qantas Wallabies captain George Gregan, who joined the Minister, Australian Sevens coach Glen Ella and captain Luke Inman for today's announcement, praised South Australia for being a great host of international rugby in recent years.
"The enthusiasm of the South Australian people when the Wallabies played here during the Rugby World Cup, then in 2004 against the Pacific Islanders and for Australia A earlier this year was tremendous and I know the Sevens players are excited about coming to South Australia," Gregan said.
Australian Sevens coach and former Wallaby Glen Ella said the wider Australian community had witnessed the speed and excitement of Rugby Sevens at the Commonwealth Games and he was certain they would enjoy the Adelaide Sevens.
"The atmosphere at the Commonwealth Games was one of the highlights of my playing and coaching career - to hear a packed stadium cheering on so many teams and especially the underdogs was quite something," Ella said.
"It's great that the Sevens version of rugby will be played in Adelaide for the next five years and given how much this state and Australians in general enjoy international sport, I'm sure the people will really take to the Adelaide Sevens."
Australian Sevens captain Luke Inman says the entire Australian squad is excited at the prospect of strong home support during the Adelaide event.
"Home support during these tournaments really gives teams a boost and we're very pleased Adelaide is hosting a leg of the Series for the next five years," Inman said.
Tournament Director and SA Rugby CEO Rob Nelson commended the Minister and the ARU for their support in securing this event for Adelaide and urged locals to join in the party.
"The Adelaide Sevens will be as much about the good times and party as it is about the world class sport. It gives locals a reason to stay in Adelaide next Easter and invite their interstate friends and relatives for a visit to join in the party," Nelson said.
The Adelaide Sevens will be the fourth international rugby event to be staged in South Australia in five years. Since the 2003 Rugby World Cup Pool match between Australia and Namibia, Adelaide has also hosted the Pacific Islanders in 2004 and Australia A v Fiji earlier this year.
2007 Adelaide Sevens Teams (four still to be announced)
Fiji
England
South Africa
New Zealand
Argentina
France
Samoa
Australia
Canada
Scotland
Kenya
Portugal2006/07 iRB Sevens World Series tournament dates:
Dubai, 1-2 December 2006George (RSA), 8-9 December 2006
Wellington (NZ), 2-3 February 2007
San Diego, 10-11 February 2007
Hong Kong, 30-31 March, 1 April 2007
Adelaide, 7-8 April 2007
London, 26-27 May 2007
Edinburgh, 2-3 June 2007