The inaugural Sydney Sevens, which is debuting the first weekend of February, is ready to explode into action. The tournament will host the Australian leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series taking over from Gold Coast after previous editions in Brisbane and Adelaide.
The tournament tickets were sold out more than three weeks ago with re-sold tickets in high demand. The 45,500 capacity Allianz Stadium in Sydney will host the tournament from the 6th-7th of February. The Allianz Stadium is famous in the rugby world because it’s where George Gregan made that try saving tackle in the corner to deny Jeff Wilson and the All Blacks the Bledisloe Cup victory back in 1994.
After the last weekend’s Wellington Sevens victory for the All Blacks Sevens, the home team and 14 other nations will compete this weekend to topple South Africa from the top of the World Sevens Series ladder. Here is how they are pooled with Japan again the non-core side featuring again this weekend.
No Quade Cooper
Quade Cooper the mercurial Kiwi-born Aussie first-five eighth will miss the Sydney Sevens even though he flew all the way from Toulon to be part of the tournament but instead will watch from the stand as Aussie Coach Andy Friend has opted for experience this weekend to a jet-lagged star.
Pool A (New Zealand, Australia, Portugal, Canada)
The Kiwis will try to build from their success last week after a disappointing start to the season where they were seeded seventh after two rounds, a never seen before feat in the World Sevens Series table since it’s inception.
They will again look to their Super Rugby stars to carry them with brothers Akira and Reiko to carry on from their form last week. Tim Mikkelson was back to his usual best last week expect the same as he leads his troops to topple the host at their home ground.
Sonny Bill Williams will try to improve from his performance last week and be rest assured to see a different guy this week. Joe Webber, Ben Lam, Ardie Savea, Gilles Kaka and Augustine Pulu will all play a vital role this weekend for the Kiwis.
The inclusion of captain Ed Jenkins, Cam Clark, Henry Speight has made the Aussies one of the favorites at this weekend Sydney Sevens. How special it would be for Andy Friend’s men to win at home.
The Portuguese are one of those side’s that can beat any team on their day but with a young squad they will give all teams a run for their money. The return of Sao Tome and Principe-born Ederito Estevez has greatly improved their play.
The Canadians all though struggling this early in the season can turn up any day so the Kiwis and Aussies should be ready for their unpredictability. They may not have the player pool like their pool opponents but they make up with it with flair, courage and determination.
The Kiwis and Aussies are expected to make it through and will be the highlight of Day One.
Pool B (South Africa, Kenya, Scotland, Russia)
The South Africans still crying foul from their loss in the hands of Matt O’Brien against the Kiwis last week will be back with the vengeance as they try to win their second title this weekend. Neil Powell has put together a formidable winning side even without stars like Werner Kok and Kyle Brown.
Kenya defeated South Africa in pool play in Cape Town and will be hoping to do the same in Sydney. They will rely on Oscar Ouma the man who flattened SBW last weekend and Collins Injera to spearhead their campaign.
Scotland is building their team slowly and the inclusion of Fijians Junior Bulumakau and Joseva Nayacavou has strengthened their team with hard-worker James Johnstone looking to build from last week.
Russia will be the crowd favorite, still learning the trades of the game but will not shy away from putting in those big hits. Expect South Africa and Kenya to qualify from this pool.
Pool C (Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, France)
The Fijians will try to get back on top after their shock loss in the semis last week to South Africa who thrashed and held them scoreless. They were outgunned in all facets of play by the Africans as frustrated them to making mistakes. They exploited the lack of speed in the Fiji team which Ben Ryan worked on this week and will be hoping they rectify this week.
This is the fourth straight tournament that the Santiago Gomez Cora’s men have been drawn with Fiji and you never know they might have one against the South Seas Warriors. They have a good team and will be looking to Bautista Ezcurra, Axel Muller, Nicolas Bruzonne and Franco Sabato to lead them through.
Samoa had a good outing last week and will continue to improve as the season progress under Damian McGrath. The input from the Englishman is slowly bearing fruit with the Samoans as they are playing with more structure to their game. their inability to put together a 14-minute game is their downfall. Falemiga Selesele, Tila Mealoi, Samoa Toloa, David Fusitala and Belgium Tuatagaloa will spearhead their campaign this weekend.
France without Virimi Vakatawa last week were lost and they will look to Julien Candelon and Terry Bourahoua to steady their ship and give the rest of the teams in their pool a good run. Fulgence Quedrogo had a good debut last week and his turnover skills will be vital as the season progress.
Barring upsets expect Fiji and Argentina to qualify from the toughest pool in Sydney.
Pool D (England, USA, Wales, Japan)
England will try to build from last week outing and finish higher than fourth. Expect Dan Bibby to play a major role again this week with some blistering pace from Tom Bowen.
USA the most improved side this season will again try to be in the top four this week after their plate semi final loss last weekend. Mike Friday’s men will bounce back hard and we hope to see more coast to coast tries from Carlin Isles.
Wales haven’t been hiring top notch lately but a bounce of the ball coming their way will turn their season around. Japan ended Day two on a high in Wellington and they will try to build on that. Expect the Katsuyaki Sakai led side to spring some surprises this weekend.
The English and Americans are expected to make it through but Japan could spring few surprises even the Scarlets too.
Seven players you should watch
Admir Cjenovic, the powerful Bosnia-born Canadian is the future for the North American side.
Kameli Soejima, a tireless worker for Japan who will play to the last minute.
Victor Ostronskho, the big Russian plays every game like it’s his last.
Luke Morgan, the fast running Welsh impact player has speed that the Fijians crave for at this moment.
Rodrigo Etchart, this Argentine knows only one way that is the way to the tryline. a try scoring machine.
Ben Lam, the big Kiwi didn’t get his groove going last week but expect a different man this week.
Viliame Mata, the big Fijian is the one to watch this week, his height and offload skills will be vital for Fiji.
The stage is set for the forth leg of the World Sevens Series to explode, the players are raring, tickets sold out the kickoff couldn’t come any sooner. The atmosphere at the Allianz Stadium will be electrifying, the spectators are in for a treat with The Veronicas and Hoodoo Gurus headlining the entertainment at the stands.
Follow all the action from Sydney here on Last Word on Sports with Scott Hornell and Jovilisi Waqa.
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