Three events into the 2023 season of the HSBC World Sevens Series, and we’re no closer to knowing who will be the dominant team this year. With Hong Kong, Dubai, and Cape Town each producing different winners and finalists, rugby sevens fans are looking to the New Zealand Sevens tournament for an indication of who can produce some consistency in 2023.
Samoa, South Africa, and Australia have all won events this season, while New Zealand, Ireland, and Fiji have finished runners-up. Who will be the first team to back-up and make a second final?
New Zealand will be eager to defend their title, with the New Zealand Sevens event not having been played since the Kiwis won it in early 2020. Can recent winners Samoa stop the Kiwis, or will Fiji grab their first win of the year? We look at all the betting odds to bring you the best bets ahead of the weekend.
| Event: | 2023 HSBC World Sevens Series in New Zealand (Hamilton) |
| Format: | 16 teams compete in four pools, followed by knockout games |
| Venue: | FMG Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand |
| Date: | Saturday 21 January to Sunday 22 January |
Here’s a look at the overall Hamilton 2023 Rugby Sevens odds ahead of this weekend’s tournament from bookmakers in New Zealand:
Looking at the betting odds for rugby 7s New Zealand 2023, it’s clear that home advantage is swaying the bookies in favor of the hosting team. The Kiwis are top of the betting odds on 3.50 (5/2), slightly ahead of everyone’s second favorite team, Fiji, who sit at 3.75 (11/4). South Africa, Samoa, and Australia follow between 5.50-7.50 to round out the top five favorites. Notably, Cape Town’s result sees Argentina fall out of the top five favorites, replaced by Samoa. Try sport betting live.
25+ sportsSuperb bonusesEasy to useVIP programLive gamesMany bonusesMany bonuses24/7 supportMobile appsLive bettingMany sportsFast payoutsGreat supportMobile appsLive bettingNew Zealand has a fine history of hosting the HSBC World Sevens Series, having done so since the circuit’s inception in 2000. However, until recently, the event was held in Wellington, with the shift being made to Hamilton only in 2018 due to lower attendance.
Courtesy of the Covid-19 pandemic and New Zealand’s strict border controls, the New Zealand Sevens tournament has not been held since 2020. Here’s who has won the previous five tournaments before this:
While New Zealand are the defending champions and have won this event 10 times previously, Fiji have won two of the past three and will be eager to make that three of four this weekend as well.
For those who like rugby union betting, our experts here at BetZillion have compiled several of the top bets we recommend making ahead of this weekend’s play:
Samoa have been drawn into a tough pool alongside Fiji, France, and Kenya. Each of these teams have won an HSBC World Sevens Series event, while Fiji have also won the Rugby World Cup Sevens.
However, we say that Samoa will back up their strong performance in Cape Town and top the pool. We recommend this bet for two reasons. Firstly, Samoa proved their pedigree and ability to beat the best on the circuit by winning the Cape Town Sevens late last year, defeating Argentina, South Africa, and New Zealand en route to the title. Secondly, given Pool A’s competitive nature, Samoa will likely not need to win all of their games to top the pool. For example, they could lose to Fiji but win big over France and Kenya if Fiji are upset by one of the other teams, which is entirely possible.
The bottom line is, a bet on Samoa to top their pool is a strong punt given the pool’s make up and Samoa’s form and offers a healthy return of 2.75 (7/4).
Another team that we think could prove the bookies wrong and top their pool is Ireland. Pool C is competitive for a different reason – none of the four teams are an obvious favorite in this tournament.
Ireland’s competitors in Pool C are Uruguay, the United States, and Japan. All three have shown patchy form this year so far, while Ireland have proven what they can do on the Sevens field when they put together a finals run in Dubai. Though the men in green haven’t been wildly consistent themselves, they’ll have a very strong Irish contingent in Hamilton, and attract plenty of neutral support as well. Expect the Irish to get up for this one, and pull out a big win over the United States that will see them top the pool for a return of 2.87 (15/8), which is offered even by the bookmakers in Ireland.
Last but not least, the Kiwis will pick up their first tournament win of the season here we say. For a good reason, online bookmakers have them as the betting favorite. The home team have won here 10 times previously and are well overdue a win in 2023. They’ll be motivated to perform in front of a home crowd for the first time in three years and have the benefit of not traveling as well.
Drawn in Pool B alongside Great Britain, Australia, and Tonga, New Zealand should have no problems qualifying for the quarterfinals. From here, expect the crowd support and legacy of winning in New Zealand to kick in and get the All-Black Sevens across the line in Hamilton. With odds of 3.50 (5/2), this is among BetZillion’s top bets to take.
Rugby Sevens returns to New Zealand for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, and it couldn’t happen at a better time. The sun is out in Hamilton, and the Kiwis are ready for a win. Fiji, South Africa, and Samoa will be eager to stop them, but we say the combination of having not won yet in 2023 and a raucous home crowd will be enough to propel New Zealand to a win this weekend. Tune in on Saturday to find out how this event unfolds, and don’t regret our rugby betting tips that can make you a bit richer.
