Women get their chance in Sevens

A bold experiment that was started at last year's Borneo Sevens rugby tournament could lead to a major boost for Asian and Pacific women's teams.

In 2010, four women's teams from the Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions (FORU) were invited to compete against four Asian Rugby Union (ARU) sides in a unique Asia Pacific Women's Sevens tournament.

It was so successful and popular with players and fans that its second instalment was held at the Borneo Sevens again this year, and the International Rugby Board's (IRB) operations manager for the Oceania region, Michael Groom, said he can only see it growing.