# 1997 Rugby World Cup Sevens qualifying

Of the twenty-four teams in the 1997 Rugby World Cup Sevens, three were automatically qualified: 1993 champions England, runners-up Australia and hosts Hong Kong. The other twenty-one slots were contested by sixty-four national teams in three tournaments: Lisbon, Dubai and Punta del Este, with the quarterfinalists of the first two tournaments, then the semifinalists and Plate winner of the third advancing. Through qualifying through their tournaments, Cook Islands, Morocco, Portugal and Zimbabwe all made their first World Cup appearance.

## Qualifier 1: Lisbon
### Day 1

Pool A
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Ireland 22001530+1536  Hungary 21011990−714  Norway 20021092−822
Matches :
1 June 1996Ireland 80−0 Hungary
1 June 1996Norway 0−19 Hungary
1 June 1996Ireland 73−0 Norway :
Pool B
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  New Zealand 22001650+1656  Moldova 210131111−804  Lithuania 200219104−852
Matches :
1 June 1996New Zealand 73−0 Lithuania
1 June 1996Moldova 31−19 Lithuania
1 June 1996New Zealand 92−0 Moldova :
Pool C
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Spain 2200833+806  Belgium 21016924+454  Bulgaria 20020125−1252
Matches :
1 June 1996Spain 59−0 Bulgaria
1 June 1996Belgium 66−0 Bulgaria
1 June 1996Spain 24−3 Belgium :
Pool D
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  South Korea 220010512+936  Croatia 21012291−69'4  Sweden 20021943−242
Matches :
1 June 1996South Korea 79−5 Croatia
1 June 1996Sweden 12−17 Croatia
1 June 1996South Korea 26−7 Sweden :
Pool E
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Canada 2200780+786  Ukraine 21013635+14  Switzerland 2002079−792
Matches :
1 June 1996Canada 43−0  Switzerland
1 June 1996Ukraine 36−0  Switzerland
1 June 1996Canada 35−0 Ukraine :
Pool F
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Namibia 220011819+996  Georgia 21014766−194  Austria 20021494−802
Matches :
1 June 1996Namibia 59−7 Austria
1 June 1996Georgia 35−7 Austria
1 June 1996Namibia 59−12 Georgia :
Pool G
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Romania 22001310+1316  Poland 21015262−104  Andorra 20025126−1212
Matches :
1 June 1996Romania 74−0 Andorra
1 June 1996Poland 52−5 Andorra
1 June 1996Romania 57−0 Poland :
Pool H
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Portugal 22009412+826  Latvia 21014159−184  Luxembourg 20022488−642
Matches :
1 June 1996Latvia 41−12 Luxembourg
1 June 1996Portugal 47−12 Luxembourg
1 June 1996Latvia 0−47 Portugal :

### Day 2

* Legend
* Qualified to 1997 Rugby World Cup Sevens
Pool A
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  New Zealand 220015510+1456  Luxembourg 21013666−304  Hungary 20020115−1152
Matches :
2 June 1996New Zealand 66−10 Luxembourg
2 June 1996Hungary 0−26 Luxembourg
2 June 1996New Zealand 89−0 Hungary :
Pool B
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Ireland 22008010+706  Sweden 21013843−54  Croatia 20021075−652
Matches :
2 June 1996Ireland 33−10 Sweden
2 June 1996Croatia 10−28 Sweden
2 June 1996Ireland 47−0 Croatia :
Pool C
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Romania 22001367+1296  Moldova 21011284−724  Lithuania 20021471−572
Matches :
2 June 1996Romania 59−7 Lithuania
2 June 1996Moldova 12−7 Lithuania
2 June 1996Romania 77−0 Moldova :
Pool D
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Namibia 22006814+546  Ukraine 21015026+244  Austria 20021290−782
Matches :
2 June 1996Namibia 47−7 Austria
2 June 1996Ukraine 43−5 Austria
2 June 1996Namibia 21−7 Ukraine :
Pool E
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  South Korea 22008719+686  Latvia 21013145−144  Norway 20022478−542
Matches :
2 June 1996South Korea 59−7 Norway
2 June 1996Latvia 19−17 Norway
2 June 1996South Korea 28−12 Latvia :
Pool F
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Portugal 220011917+1026  Georgia 21013861−234  Andorra 20021594−792
Matches :
2 June 1996Portugal 63−10 Andorra
2 June 1996Georgia 31−5 Andorra
2 June 1996Portugal 56−7 Georgia :
Pool G
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Spain 22007014+566  Poland 21014928+214  Switzerland 2002784−772
Matches :
2 June 1996Spain 42−7  Switzerland
2 June 1996Poland 42−0  Switzerland
2 June 1996Spain 28−7 Poland :
Pool H
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Canada 22001410+1416  Belgium 21016161+04  Bulgaria 20020141−1412
Matches :
2 June 1996Canada 80−0 Bulgaria
2 June 1996Belgium 61−0 Bulgaria
2 June 1996Canada 61−0 Belgium :

## Qualifier 2: Dubai
### Day 1

Pool A
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Fiji 22009612+846  Russia 21015029+214  Botswana 20023108−1052
Matches :
22 November 1996Fiji 26−12 Russia
22 November 1996Botswana 3−38 Russia
22 November 1996Fiji 70−0 Botswana :
Pool B
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  South Africa 22001275+1226  Czech Republic 21012497−734  Malaysia 20021978−592
Matches :
22 November 1996South Africa 54−0 Malaysia
22 November 1996Czech Republic 24−19 Malaysia
22 November 1996South Africa 73−5 Czech Republic :
Pool C
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Tonga 2200787+716  Denmark 21012647−214  Kenya 20021262−502
Matches :
22 November 1996Tonga 35−7 Denmark
22 November 1996Kenya 12−19 Denmark
22 November 1996Tonga 43−0 Kenya :
Pool D
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Wales 220010814+946  Zimbabwe 21016831+374  Singapore 20020131−1312
Matches :
22 November 1996Wales 77−0 Singapore
22 November 1996Zimbabwe 54−0 Singapore
22 November 1996Wales 31−14 Zimbabwe :
Pool E
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Scotland 22001465+1416  Serbia and Montenegro 21011964−454  Zambia 20025101−962
Matches :
22 November 1996Scotland 87−0 Zambia
22 November 1996Serbia and Montenegro 14−5 Zambia
22 November 1996Scotland 59−5 Serbia and Montenegro :
Pool F
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  United States 2200935+886  Ivory Coast 21013643−74  Sri Lanka 20021091−812
Matches :
22 November 1996United States 60−0 Sri Lanka
23 November 1996Ivory Coast 31−10 Sri Lanka
22 November 1996United States 33−5 Ivory Coast :
Pool G
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Morocco 2200455+406  Italy 2101467+394  Thailand 2002079−792
Matches :
22 November 1996Italy 41−0 Thailand
22 November 1996Morocco 38−0 Thailand
22 November 1996Italy 5−7 Morocco :
Pool H
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts Arabian Gulf 22004529+166  Chinese Taipei 21015131+204  Tunisia 20022258−362
Matches :
22 November 1996Arabian Gulf 24−12 Tunisia
22 November 1996Chinese Taipei 34−10 Tunisia
22 November 1996Arabian Gulf 21−17 Chinese Taipei :

### Day 2

* Legend
* Qualified to 1997 Rugby World Cup Sevens
Pool A
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Scotland 22008521+646  Tunisia 21013138−74  Serbia and Montenegro 2002562−572
Matches :
23 November 1996Scotland 33−21 Tunisia
23 November 1996Serbia and Montenegro 5−10 Tunisia
23 November 1996Scotland 52−0 Serbia and Montenegro :
Pool B
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  South Africa 22001267+1196  Denmark 21014066−264  Malaysia 20027100−932
Matches :
23 November 1996Denmark 33−7 Malaysia
23 November 1996South Africa 59−7 Denmark
23 November 1996South Africa 67−0 Malaysia :
Pool C
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Wales 220011121+906  Czech Republic 21013171−404  Kenya 20021262−502
Matches :
23 November 1996Wales 66−14 Czech Republic
23 November 1996Czech Republic 17−5 Kenya
23 November 1996Wales 45−7 Kenya :
Pool D
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  United States 2200690+696  Ivory Coast 21011937−184  Sri Lanka 20021364−512
Matches :
23 November 1996United States 45−0 Sri Lanka
23 November 1996Ivory Coast 19−13 Sri Lanka
23 November 1996United States 24−0 Ivory Coast :
Pool E
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Fiji 22001575+1526  Russia 21015568−134  Zambia 200212151−1392
Matches :
23 November 1996Fiji 101−0 Zambia
23 November 1996Russia 50−12 Zambia
23 November 1996Fiji 56−5 Russia :
Pool F
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Tonga 22009317+766  Chinese Taipei 21016041+194  Singapore 200219114−952
Matches :
23 November 1996Tonga 34−5 Chinese Taipei
23 November 1996Chinese Taipei 55−7 Singapore
23 November 1996Tonga 59−12 Singapore :
Pool G
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Morocco 2200416+356  Italy 21014528+174  Botswana 20021365−522
Matches :
23 November 1996Morocco 20−6 Botswana
23 November 1996Italy 45−7 Botswana
23 November 1996Morocco 21−0 Italy :
Pool H
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Zimbabwe 22009219+736 Arabian Gulf 21015342+114  Thailand 20021498−842
Matches :
23 November 1996Arabian Gulf 41−7 Thailand
23 November 1996Zimbabwe 57−7 Thailand
23 November 1996Arabian Gulf 12−35 Zimbabwe :

## Qualifier 3: Punta del Este
### Day 1

Pool A
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Japan 32018733+547  Chile 32016826+427  Netherlands 32015019+317  Tahiti 30030127−1273
Matches :
5 January 1997Japan 54−0 Tahiti
5 January 1997Netherlands 12−0 Chile
5 January 1997Chile 47−0 Tahiti
5 January 1997Japan 19−12 Netherlands
5 January 1997Netherlands 26−0 Tahiti
5 January 1997Japan 14−21 Chile :
Pool B
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Samoa 330017415+1599  Trinidad and Tobago 32013481−477  Israel 310227108−815  Paraguay 30033374−413
Matches :
5 January 1997Samoa 68−0 Israel
5 January 1997Trinidad and Tobago 15−7 Paraguay
5 January 1997Samoa 59−0 Trinidad and Tobago
5 January 1997Israel 12−11 Paraguay
5 January 1997Samoa 47−15 Paraguay
5 January 1997Trinidad and Tobago 19−15 Israel :
Pool C
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Argentina 33001255+1209  Germany 32019267+257  Papua New Guinea 31025759−25  Bermuda 300319162−1433
Matches :
5 January 1997Argentina 63−0 Bermuda
5 January 1997Germany 28−17 Papua New Guinea
5 January 1997Argentina 24−0 Papua New Guinea
5 January 1997Germany 59−12 Bermuda
5 January 1997Argentina 38−5 Germany
5 January 1997Papua New Guinea 40−7 Bermuda :
Pool D
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  France 330010912+979  Cook Islands 32015843+157  Uruguay 31026062−25  Bahamas 300322132−1103
Matches :
5 January 1997France 55−0 Bahamas
5 January 1997Cook Islands 17−12 Uruguay
5 January 1997France 28−12 Uruguay
5 January 1997Cook Islands 41−5 Bahamas
5 January 1997France 26−0 Cook Islands
5 January 1997Uruguay 36−17 Bahamas :

### Day 2

* Legend
* Qualified to 1997 Rugby World Cup Sevens
* Qualified to plate tournament for qualification chance
Pool A
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  Samoa 330014214+1289  Japan 32017153+187  Germany 31022799−725  Netherlands 30032296−743
Matches :
6 January 1997Samoa 54−0 Germany
6 January 1997Japan 24−10 Netherlands
6 January 1997Netherlands 5−22 Germany
6 January 1997Samoa 38−7 Japan
6 January 1997Japan 40−5 Germany
6 January 1997Samoa 50−7 Netherlands :
Pool B
    Teams Pld W D L PF PA +/− Pts  France 3300830+839  Cook Islands 31113666−306  Argentina 31024357−145  Chile 30123372−394
Matches :
6 January 1997Argentina 0−26 France
6 January 1997Chile 19−19 Cook Islands
6 January 1997France 35−0 Cook Islands
6 January 1997Argentina 31−14 Chile
6 January 1997France 22−0 Chile
6 January 1997Argentina 12−17 Cook Islands :
Plate
| Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Plate/Qualifier Final | Plate/Qualifier Final |
| 6 January 1997 | 6 January 1997 |
| Germany | 24 |
| Germany | 24 | 6 January 1997 | 6 January 1997 |
| Chile | 19 | 6 January 1997 | 6 January 1997 |
| Chile | 19 | Germany | 12 |
| 6 January 1997 | 6 January 1997 | | Germany | 12 |
| 6 January 1997 | 6 January 1997 | Argentina | 49 |
| Netherlands | 5 | Argentina | 49 |
| Argentina | 40 | | |
Cup
| Semi-finals | Semi-finals | Final | Final |
| 6 January 1997 | 6 January 1997 |
| Samoa | 45 |
| Samoa | 45 | 6 January 1997 | 6 January 1997 |
| Cook Islands | 7 | 6 January 1997 | 6 January 1997 |
| Cook Islands | 7 | Samoa | 14 |
| 6 January 1997 | 6 January 1997 | | Samoa | 14 |
| 6 January 1997 | 6 January 1997 | France | 35 |
| Japan | 14 | France | 35 |
| France | 24 | | |
| France | 24 | Third place | Third place |
| | | 6 January 1997 | 6 January 1997 |
| | | Cook Islands | 31 |
| | | Japan | 26 |