It's been a big year in rugby on many different fronts, so RUGBY.com.au is taking a look back at the 15 biggest storylines of the year, based on the stories you read and reacted to.
#11: Sydney Sevens 2017
The second year of the Sydney Sevens was one of the most-read events on RUGBY.com.au this year.
It was a new-look event, with the women’s event held as part of the Sevens for the first time, though the women were forced to play some of their biggest matches on Kippax Oval.
Australia’s gold medallist women were one of the biggest draw cards but failed to fire in a difficult field, losing to Canada in the semi-final and finishing fourth overall.
The Aussie men, though, performed beyond expectations, to finish in the same spot after disappointing Cape Town and Wellington outings.
The extended three-day event was a sell-out in its second year, and punters watched on as some of the best Sevens players ran around.
South Africa ultimately took out the men’s competition, in a year where the Blitzboks were near unstoppable.
Canada topped the women’s competition in the inaugural Sydney Sevens.
A rejigged 2018 format, that has moved Sydney to the third leg of the men’s World Series, means the women will be on centre stage all weekend, playing every game on Allianz Stadium, over three days.
The 2018 Sydney Sevens kicks off on January 26, Tickets are available from ticketek.com.au/Sydney7s.
