New Zealand’s Joe Ravouvou has been named Player of the Tournament for the Rugby World Cup Sevens. The big winger tied with South Africa’s Siviwe ‘Shakes’ Soyizwapi for the lead in tries with six across four games. Ravouvou headlines the official tournament Dream Team along with fellow Melrose Cup winner Dylan Collier, chosen as one of the standout forwards.
Joining Collier up front are Tavite Veredamu of France and England workhorse Phil Burgess. The latter is one of three runners-up named in the squad along with Harry Glover and England captain Tom Mitchell. Josefa Lilidamu of Japan rounds out the backs.
Of note is that the top two seeds – Fiji and South Africa – contribute no players to the all-tournament selection. Fiji’s grand disappointment is tempered somewhat with Ravouvou, Veredamu, and Lilidamu all born and raised in the Pacific Island nation.