Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The final squads have been submitted for the last round of the 2016-17 HSBC Sevens Series to take place at Twickenham this weekend. South Africa can breathe easy having clinched the overall Series title in Paris but there are still some final placings up for grabs, particularly second spot where England and Fiji are just three points apart. Scotland, Canada, and Argentina are all within seven points of each other in 7th, 8th, and 9th spot respectively, while Wales, France, and Kenya are all in the fight to sneak into the Top 10. At the other end Japan will need something of a miracle to avoid losing core status with Russia a full eight points ahead in 14th spot.
Canada have received a boost ahead of the tournament with key playmaker Lucas Hammond deemed fit to partake. The squad is otherwise unchanged with Nathan Hirayama retaining the captain’s armband we wore in Paris. With Scotland six points ahead in 7th spot and Argentina just one point behind in 9th, Canada will be desperate to finish the season on a high but will be in tough company with both New Zealand and Fiji alongside in Pool C.
The USA look certain of finishing in 5th, their best ever finish, with a 13-point gap between both 4th place New Zealand and 6th place Australia. Teenage prospect Naima Fuala’au has joined the group as a reserve this week. Folau Niua will be celebrating his 50th career HSBC tournament, Andrew Durutalo his 40th and possibly final with the news that he has signed for Greene King IPA Championship side Ealing Trailfinders for next season.
Argentina meanwhile are hot on the trail of Canada but must find their form early after a poor opening day in Paris cost them dearly. With no 13th man available this week they’ll have to hope for an injury-free run in London.
A full fixture list for the tournament can be seen here. All matches will be streamed live by World Rugby.
POOL A
SOUTH AFRICA
Cecil Afrika, Chris Dry, Branco du Preez, Dewald Human, Werner Kok, Ruhan Nel, Sandile Ngcobo, Ryan Oosthuzien, Dylan Sage, Philip Snyman (capt.), Siviwe Soyizwapi, Rosko Specman, Marco Labuschagne (reserve)
USA
Perry Baker, Andrew Durutalo, Madison Hughes (capt.), Martin Iosefo, Matai Leuta, Folau Niua, Don Pati, Ben Pinkelman, Alex Schwarz, Mike Te’o, Stephen Tomasin, Maka Unufe, Naima Fuala’au (reserve)
WALES
Cory Allen, James Benjamin, Sam Cross (capt.), Ethan Davies, Lloyd Evans, Joe Jenkins, Owen Jenkins, Lloyd Lewis, Billy McBryde, Luke Morgan, Adam Thomas, Tom G. Williams, Ben Roach (reserve)
KENYA
Eden Agero, Andrew Amonde (capt.), Darwin Kinyangi, Augustine Lugonzo, Derick Mayar, Bush Mwale, Billy Odhiambo, Samuel Oliech, Dennis Ombachi, Nelson Oyoo, Brian Tanga, Franck Wanyama
POOL B
SCOTLAND
Hugh Blake (capt.), Glenn Bryce, Jack Cuthbert, Jamie Farndale, Dougie Fife, James Fleming, Grayson Hart, George Horne, Joseva Nayacavou, Scott Riddell, Mark Robertson, Scott Wight, Nyle Godsmark (reserve)
FRANCE
Jean-Pascal Barraque, Bastien Berenguel, Charles Brousse, Robinson Caire, Matthew Ford, Daniel Ikpefan, Jean-Teiva Jacquelin, Jean-Baptiste Mazoué (capt.), Pierre Popelin, Jérôme Porical, Morad Touizni, Sacha Valleau, Jonathan Laugel (reserve)
ARGENTINA
José Barros Sosa, Lautaro Bazán, Lucas Belloto, Julián Domínguez, Fernando Luna, Santiago Mare, Mauro Perotti, Gastón Revol (capt.), Joaquín Riera, Javier Rojas, Conrado Roura, Franco Sábato
RUSSIA
German Davydov, Eduard Filatov, Igor Galinovski, Yuri Gostyuzhev, Alexei Kapalin, Vladislav Lazarenko, Vladimir Ostroushko (capt.), Roman Roschin, Vladislav Sozonov, Dmitri Sukhin, Sergei Trishin, Vitali Zhivatov, Alexander Yanyushkin (reserve)
POOL C
NEW ZEALAND
Sam Dickson (capt.), DJ Forbes, Fa’asiu Fuatai, Jesse Houston, Andrew Knewstubb, Trael Joass, Tim Mikkelson, Tone Ng Shiu, Tamati Samuels, Sherwin Stowers, Regan Ware, Joe Webber, Lewis Ormond (reserve)
FIJI
Samu Bale, Setareki Bituniyata, Glen Cakautini, Paula Dranisinukula, Osea Kolinisau (capt.), Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Waisea Nacuku, Amenoni Nasilasila, Kalione Nasoko, Vatemo Ravouvou, Josua Vakurunabili, Jasa Veremalua, Jerry Tuwai (reserve)
CANADA
Jared Douglas, Justin Douglas, Mike Fuailefau, Lucas Hammond, Nathan Hirayama (capt.), Harry Jones, Isaac Kaay, Pat Kay, Luke McCloskey, John Moonlight, Matt Mullins, Adam Zaruba, Luke Bradley (reserve)
JAPAN
Jonmoon Han, Kosuke Hashino, Taisei Hayashi, Ryota Kano, Makoto Kato, Siosifa Lisala, Naoki Motomura, Masahiro Nakano, Dai Ozawa (capt.), Katsuyuki Sakai, Patrick Stehlin, Dallas Tatana, Kameli Soejima (reserve)
POOL D
ENGLAND
Dan Bibby, Phil Burgess (capt.), Alex Davis, Richard de Carpentier, Will Edwards, Harry Glover, Charlie Hayter, Ollie Lindsay-Hague, Ruaridh McConnachie, Dan Norton, James Rodwell, Callum Sirker, Will Glover (reserve)
SAMOA
Elisapeta Alofipo, Tomasi Alosio, Francis Ieremia, Gordon Langkilde, Alamanda Motuga, Silao Nonu, Joe Perez, Fa’alemiga Selesele (capt.), Tofatu Solia, Samoa Toloa, Alatasi Tupou, Lafaele Va’a, Matty Tu’atagaloa (reserve)
AUSTRALIA
Lachie Anderson, Tim Anstee, Alex Gibbon, Simon Kennewell, Boyd Killingworth, Tom Kingston, Nick Malouf, Liam McNamara, Dylan Pietsch, John Porch, Brandon Quinn, James Stannard (capt.), Charlie Taylor (reserve)
SPAIN
Hugo Alonso, Ander Ayala, Jaike Carter, Rafael de Santiago, Pablo Fontes, Tobias Francis, Igor Genua (capt.), Gorka Gorratxategui, Lucas Levy, Eduardo Martin, Jaime Nava, Manuel Sainz-Trapaga, Zach Taylor, Facundo Lavino (reserve)
