Stars aligning for North American 7s leg

North American rugby fans are set to receive some world stars as the HSBC Sevens Series arrives in Las Vegas this coming weekend, and Vancouver the next. With the Olympics now less than six months away, some of the biggest names in the game are throwing their hat in to get a shot at gold in Rio.

Bryan Habana, Sonny Bill Williams, and Quade Cooper are three who will take part over the next couple weeks. Williams has been in the last two tournaments and is only just starting to find his feet. Can Habana and Cooper make the adjustment to the abbreviated code in the small window given to them?

Adding to the atmosphere is an incredible three-way tie for points at the top of the table with Fiji, South Africa, and New Zealand all deadlocked after four tournaments. Australia and Argentina are head-to-head for 4th spot, with the USA not far behind in 7th. Canada are in 12th and have some work to do if they are to break into the Top 10.

Argentina have named a strong side to compete, while Canada and USA have yet to confirm their teams for the all-important home tournaments. Below are some of the squads already named to depart for Las Vegas and Vancouver.

AUSTRALIA

Finalists at home in Sydney, new head coach Andy Friend has included Cooper, one of the biggest names in Australian rugby, and has also recalled former Waratahs flanker Pat McCutcheon after a long absence from sevens. Henry Speight has returned to Super Rugby duty, and Pama Fou is sidelined with a shoulder injury. James Stannard is left out to make room for Cooper.

Cameron Clark, Quade Cooper, Allan Fa’alava’au, Con Foley, Henry Hutchison, Greg Jeloudev, Ed Jenkins (capt.), Boyd Killingworth, Tom Kingston, Tom Lucas, Pat McCutcheon, Sam Myers

ENGLAND

Simon Amor will hand a debut to Harry Glover in a surprisingly inexperienced group. Star winger Dan Norton returns along with the hard-working pair of Charlie Hayter and Phil Burgess, but key squad members Dan Bibby, Alex Davis and Warwick Lahmert are sidelined with injury.

Tom Bowen, Phil Burgess, Cameron Cowell, Harry Glover, Alex Gray, Charlie Hayter, Ruaridh McConnachie, Tom Mitchell (capt.), Dan Norton, James Rodwell, Ethan Waddleton, Jack Wilson

FIJI

The darlings of the circuit have once again named a powerhouse lineup, but have also sprung a surprise with two players completely unknown to the rugby world in Masivesi Dakuwaqa and Josua Vici. Big loose forward Nemani Nagusa is recalled along with Kitione Taliga as Semi Kunatani has returned to Toulouse for the time being.

Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Isake Katonibau, Osea Kolinisau (capt.), Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Emosi Mulevoro, Nemani Nagusa, Amenoni Nasilasila, Vatemo Ravouvou, Savenaca Rawaca, Kitione Taliga, Jerry Tuwai, Pio Tuwai, Jasa Veremalua, Josua Vici

FRANCE

Live-wire playmaker and captain Terry Bouhraoua has recovered from injury in a major boost to the side, and World Cup winger Sofiane Guitoune has been called up after being left out of the Six Nations squad. Series veterans Manoël Dall’Igna, Jean-Baptiste Mazoué and Pierre-Gilles Lakafia are also welcome returnees to a team plagued by inconsistency.

Jeremy Aicardi, Steeve Barry, Terry Bouhraoua (capt.), Julien Candelon, Damien Cler, Manoël Dall’Igna, Alexandre Gracbling, Sofiane Guitoune, Jonathan Laugel, Jean-Baptiste Mazoué, Pierre-Gilles Lakafia, Sacha Valleau

JAPAN

Notable additions are XVs standouts Yoshikazu Fujita and Ryuta Yasui, as well as the exciting Masakatsu Hikosaka. Japan are making strides but need a little extra to start coming on the right end of some close results. Look out for the Fijian influence of Kameli Soejima and Lote Tuqiri (not THAT one).

Yoshikazu Fujita, Kazuhiro Goya, Kazushi Hano, Masakatsu Hikosaka, Yusaku Kuwazuru (capt.), Lomano Lemeki, Chihito Matsui, Kameli Soejima, Yoshitaka Tokunaga, Shohei Toyoshima, Lote Tuqiri, Ryuta Yasui

KENYA

Nearing their strongest possible lineup, the Kenyans are surging with legendary brothers Collins Injera and Humphrey Kayange leading the charge. There are recalls for Augustine Lugonzo, Leonard Mugaisi, and the impressive Dennis Ombachi, and a series debut for newcomer Samuel Oliech.

Biko Adema, Willy Ambaka, Andrew Amonde (capt.), Oscar Ayodi, Collins Injera, Humphrey Kayange, Augustine Lugonzo, Leonard Mugaisi, Billy Odhiambo, Samuel Oliech, Dennis Ombachi, Oscar Ouma

NEW ZEALAND

Sir Gordon Tietjens will be without a few of his Sydney stars as the Ioane brothers have returned to Super Rugby duty along with Ben Lam and Ardie Savea, and Augustine Pulu is injured. On the plus long-time captain DJ Forbes and experienced forward Sam Dickson are back in black, so too playmaker Beaudein Waaka and top finisher Sherwin Stowers. Another big name returns to the team after a long absence – World Cup loose foward Liam Messam, who hopes to put a stamp on his Rio application.

Kurt Baker, Dylan Collier, Sam Dickson, DJ Forbes, Gillies Kaka, Josh Van Lieshout, Liam Messam, Tim Mikkelson (capt.), Sione Molia, Lewis Ormond, Sherwin Stowers, Beaudein Waaka, Regan Ware, Sonny Bill Williams

SAMOA

The former series champions are not the side they once were, and have made a handful of changes to the side with Alex Samoa recalled from a four-year absence and four new caps. Key creators Tila Mealoi and Phoenix Hunapo-Nofoa along with former New Zealand representative Belgium Tuatagaloa will have to be at their best if the team hopes to get a shot at the Cup draw.

Tomasi Alosio, Eddie Fidow, Phoenix Hunapo-Nofoa, Tila Mealoi, Alamanda Motuga, Savelio Ropati, Alex Samoa, Fa’alemiga Selesele (capt.), Tele’a Seumanutafa, Alefosio Tapili, Samoa Toloa, Belgium Tuatagaloa

SOUTH AFRICA

Few teams could lose players the quality of Philip Snyman, Cheslin Kolbe, Francois Hougaard, and Juan de Jongh and expect to maintain their standards. The Blitzbokke have shrugged their shoulders and called in test stars Habana and Ryan Kankowski, and welcome top class playmakers Branco du Preez and Justin Geduld back into the fold. With burgeoning star Rosko Specman at peak form and the likes of Cecil Afrika and Seabelo Senatla also at their disposal, this could well be the team to beat.

Cecil Afrika, Tim Agaba, Kyle Brown (capt.), Chris Dry, Branco du Preez, Justin Geduld, Bryan Habana, Ryan Kankowski, Ruhan Nel, Dylan Sage, Seabelo Senatla, Kwagga Smith, Rosko Specman

 

HSBC SEVENS SERIES STANDINGS

RANK	TEAM	POINTS
1	Fiji	69
2	South Africa	69
3	New Zealand	69
4	Australia	54
5	Argentina	54
6	England	51
7	USA	49
8	Kenya	42
9	France	29
10	Samoa	28
11	Scotland	27
12	Canada	21
13	Wales	14
14	Japan	8
15	Portugal	8
16	Russia	7
17	Zimbabwe	1