Auckland’s Global Youth Sevens draws a potent international lineup
The tenth edition of Auckland’s Global Youth Sevens Tournament is shaping as the most competitive yet.
So far 65 teams have been confirmed – 10 more than last year – while a further seven are awaiting final confirmation, with the roster of entries including 35 representative or composite teams from overseas. That’s an increase of 10 international teams on 2024.
The U18 tournament (formerly the World School Sevens) is again set to be contested at Dilworth School, from December 19-21 with champion boys and girls teams, Australia and Japan respectively, returning to defend their Global Youth Sevens titles.
In last year’s boys final Australia U18 boys showed great flair to beat a Barbarians-style New Edition team 31-7, having earlier pipped New Zealand 22-12 in the semis.
And in last year’s girls final, Japan beat Australia 26-15, having impressed in defeating New Zealand 37-10 in the semis.
The international flavour of the 2025 tournament is further illustrated by entries from Canada, the US, Samoa and a record three Fijian sides.
Global Youth Sevens has also long established itself as a platform for young rugby players to showcase their ability at international level, with former tournament standouts including current Black Ferns stars Jorja Miller (selected in the 2019 and 2020 girls tournament teams) and Braxton Sorensen-McGee (selected in last year’s tournament team).
On the boys’ side, tournament alumni include All Blacks Noah Hotham (2020 tournament team), and Tamaiti Williams, who in 2016 starred as a No.8 before later transitioning to prop.
Adult day pass tickets for the tournament are $10, or $25 for three days, while livestreaming (with on-demand replays) passes are $4.99 per game or $NZ19.99 for a tournament pass.
