The line-up for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 in San Francisco is complete after Uruguay and Chile booked their places in the men’s competition via the Sudamerica Rugby Sevens Series.
Both countries were in a strong position heading into the final leg of the series in Vina del Mar in Chile, following their performances at the Punta del Este Sevens in Uruguay.
Despite strong international opposition, Uruguay managed to reach the semi-finals for the second tournament running, to finish as the top-ranked South American team in third place overall, behind two of the invited teams in South Africa and France.
While Chile fell short of the heights that saw them claim the runners-up spot in the opening leg in Punta del Este, a seventh-place finish was enough to see them finish fourth on the series and win the second ticket to San Francisco.
World Rugby Vice-Chairman and Rugby Americas President Agustín Pichot said: “I would like to congratulate Chile and Uruguay on qualification for the men’s competition at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 in San Francisco.
“Sevens continues to grow in strength and profile within South America and it will be a special moment having the region represented by Argentina, Chile and Uruguay in the men’s competition and Brazil in the women’s event. I am sure it will capture the imagination and inspire more young girls and boys to get into the sport.”
Uruguay and Chile’s qualification completes the global qualification process for the showcase sevens event.
Men’s teams (24)
- New Zealand, England, Fiji, Kenya, South Africa, Wales, Australia and France and hosts USA qualified automatically
- Scotland, Canada, Argentina and Samoa qualified as four best-placed teams other than the above via the 2016-17 men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series
- Russia, Ireland, Japan, Hong Kong, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Uruguay and Chile qualified via the global qualification process
Women’s teams (16)
- New Zealand, Canada, Spain and hosts USA qualified automatically
- Australia, Fiji, Russia and France qualified as the four best-placed teams other than the above via the 2016-17 HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series
- Ireland, England, Japan, China, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil and Papua New Guinea qualified via the global qualification process