2016 ARN Super 7

We’re running behind with our annual awards so it’s time to get us back on track. Last year saw the highly-anticipated debut of seven-a-side rugby in the Olympics. It didn’t disappoint, though the performance of the Americas teams left a little to be desired. That said there were still many outstanding players to consider, and we’ve managed to come up with our best players over the course of 2016. Unsurprisingly it’s Argentina with the most selections, the only Americas side to qualify for the Quarter Finals in Rio.

1 – Fernando Luna (Argentina) The quiet and consistent leader up front. Plays as an outside back in the XVs game and his skills under the high ball translate well at the restart and in the lineout in the shortened game. Strong, fast, and a talented footballer. An ideal forward and one of the first names on the team sheet for Los Pumas.

2 – Axel Müller (Argentina) Another tailor-made for sevens. A winger’s pace and a fend to match most loose forwards. He had a massive year, named to the HSBC Dream Team for the tournaments in Paris and Singapore, and unlucky not to be selected for the overall 2015-16 Series side. It’s no surprise Toulon snapped him up on a professional contract, and a shame that he won’t be seen in Argentine colours for the near future as a result.

3 – Danny Barrett (USA) The bearded battering ram. Destroyer of worlds. Among the most physical players on the circuit. A repeat selection after another smashing year. Maybe not quite as the heights of 2015 but close, and certainly worthy of his place without much room for argument.

4 – Gastón Revol (Argentina) The second of three returnees from the 2015 Super 7. Intrepid leader and inspirational creator in the midfield. The captain of Los Pumas was excellent again during the season but shone brightest when it mattered most. Probably the best player at the Olympics who didn’t make the Semi Finals.

5 – Nathan Hirayama (Canada) If any player deserved to be at Rio, it’s the world class maestro of the Canadian offense. Sadly there is no room for sentiment in sport, and he was instead forced to watch along with fellow legends Phil Mack and John Moonlight. His return from injury was a rare source of joy for Canadian 7s fans last year, and he looked at the top of his game once more at the start of the 2016-17 HSBC Sevens Series.

6 – Bautista Ezcurra (Argentina) Nominee for World Rugby Sevens Rookie of the Year. One of the most talented young Argentines to emerge in recent years with the ability to play in several positions both in sevens and XVs. A standout in attack and defense in the midfield during the HSBC Series, he switched to the playmaker role in Rio after Javier Rojas was ruled out with injury in the opening match.

7 – Perry Baker (USA) Our third repeat selection. HSBC Dream Team selection for Las Vegas, London, and the overall 2015-16 HSBC Sevens Series. One of the very best finishers on the circuit. Has evolved his game over the past year to become a dominant restart chaser and very tough defender as well. Has now surpassed his trail-blazing teammate Carlin Isles in overall ability, becoming a truly world class player.