Women Enter Sevens Fold

The success of New Zealand’s rugby teams will create high expectations on the country’s women as they embark on the first International Rugby Board (IRB) women’s sevens world series in November, coach Sean Horan said. “Expectations are that every time we put on a black jersey we want to win,” Horan said. “We’re [the women’s sevens team] still at the learning stage, but we have a winning [rugby] instinct in this country and that will help us out.” The IRB introduced the women’s series, which includes stops in Dubai, Houston, Guangzhou and Amsterdam ahead of the sevens World Cup next June in Moscow as it builds towards making its Olympics debut at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janiero.