Welcome to WRR 199 for April 27-May 4. New Zealand closed out the HSBC SVNS season with a commanding World Championship win over Australia, while Canada secured bronze against the USA and four teams: Brazil, China, Kenya, and Spain earned their way into next year’s Division 2 under World Rugby’s newly launched three-tier Sevens model. The format revamp has not been universally welcomed, with concerns raised about reduced access and the impact on emerging nations. Canada also opened their Pacific Four Series title defense with a clutch win over the USA in front of a record crowd of 10,518, the largest ever for a women’s rugby match in North America. The Wallaroos extended their own streak with a powerful showing against Fijiana, and Uganda’s first pro, Emily Lekuru, continues to blaze her own trail in Japan. We bring you all this and more as we round up the global Premier and Club competitions worldwide.

🔗 https://scrumhalfconnection.com/2025/05/05/black-ferns-rules-svns-world-rugbys-new-sevens-model-pacific-four-kickoff-wrr-199/