Consistency has been this sides Achilles heel ever since the inception of the World Sevens Series circuit, but in 2016 France are ready.
A lukewarm side that on their day, can beat any team–their tournament triumph, winning the France 7s back in 2005. In that year, they defeated a star-studded Fiji side 28-19 in the final for their most significant ever win and, while they have never finished the Sevens Series better than seventh overall, along the way they have defeated most teams, including the mighty Blitzbok.
The French will look to stylish playmaker Vincent Inigo to orchestrate their progress, to Raphael Lakafia who always leads from the front, and Fijian-born Virimi Vakatawa to make his telling tackles and offloads which were a highlight of the French team last season that often had New Zealand commentator Willie Los’e searching for new superlatives to describe him.
Experienced Julien Candelon, Steeve Barry and Stephen Parez will all use their experience to guide the rest of the 12-man squad to help them get out of their group; United States, Portugal and a certain Kiwi team that every opponent must respect but needs to challenge head on.
That is not to ignore the tough competition with the in-form Mike Friday coached Eagles team, containing the likes of Carlin Isles and Perry Baker. Who could ignore that firepower, even if they are missing Andrew Durutalo.
Their biggest worry is, as are most of the sides in the World Series, an All Blacks Sevens side led by Scott Curry that includes All Black Augustine Pulu ready to give this form of the game his all. But then again, on their day the ‘French Rooster’ can tame any side, so all the teams in Pool C should be ready for a fight. France are ready.
France Squad:
Jeremy Aicardi, Steeve Barry, Terry Bouhraoua, Julien Candelon, Damien Cler, Alexandre Gracbling, Vincent Inigo, Pierre-Gilles Lakafia, Jonathan Laugel, Stephen Parez, Virimi Vakatawa and Sacha Valleau.
___________________________________________________
Portugal Debut for rookie South African
Portugal Head Coach and former sevens captain Diego Mateus has named his 12-man roster to represent the Os Obos at the opening leg of the World Sevens Series opener this weekend.
They are in Pool C with New Zealand, France and USA. In fact, they had taken the Kiwis to the wire earlier this year at the Wellington 7s where they drew 24-24 and frustratingly failed to convert a last-grasp try from Nuno Guedes. So close.
That will be a motivating factor certainly for Portugal when the season starts, to strive to reinforce that potential, and in that element, Portugal have invested in the future. Fresh from his call-up to the Rugby Of Nations Cup to play for his mother country, Western Province Under-21 representative Mike Andrade will debut for Portugal at the Dubai Sevens round.
The inside center turned fly-half is happy with this chance to represent his chosen country beside nippy halfback and playmaker Pedro Leal who returns to lead the side, with Kiwi-born Carl Murray as the senior players within the squad. The opposition should be weary of this new look side coached well and should be well supported as one of a handful or European teams to contest 2015/2016.
Portugal squad:
Pedro Leal, Pedro Silverio, Joao Vaz Anutez, Carl Murray, Joao Bello, Francisco Viera, Vasco Baptista, Tiago Fernandes, David Wallis, Vasco Ribeiro, Antonio Vidinha, Michael Andrade
__________________________________________________
Eagles team ready to fly high
The USA Men’s team have a lot to followup on in Dubai, after finishing last season with a huge win in London. Even without their two outstanding players from last season; in Danny Barrett and Andrew Durutalo, they still have enough firepower in play-maker Madison Hughes, the experienced Zack Test and their two speedsters out-wide in Carlin Isles and Perry Baker.
In camp while their XV’s side contested the Rugby World Cup, this emerging nation has filtered their wealth of resources, chosen players who have been in Rugby or played college ball, They have wisely imported quality coaching and will be looking longterm, as much as in the early rounds of this season to impress. Exactly what they produce is up to how they gel as a unit.
Smart substitutes will bring great rewards, especially in the final pool games and in qualifying (if they reach that point) when teams get tired. The one advantage that a team like the USA has is their speed. Anything is possible, a minute is a longtime in Sevens. Every side will need to have caution against the Eagles–overturned ball may well cost you five, or even seven points and a game can change in the blink of an eye.
For Mike Friday to take his team further than a single tournament win in 2014/2015, this team will be aiming to ‘fly high’ at The Sevens Stadium, Dubai, this weekend. He was quoted in UR7’s as saying “It’s about what they are doing now that matters, not what they have done in the past. We run a highly competitive environment where complacency is not welcome.
“I am only interested in players who give everything to the squad”. That is the attitude that will take this team far on the World Circuit, and upset a few more teams on their Road to Rio.
United States squad:
Carlin Isles, Matai Leuta, Brett Thompson, Garrett Bender, Zack Test, Kevin Swiryn, Folau Niua, Maka Unufe, Nate Augspurger, Madison Hughes (c) Perry Baker and Will Holder.
____________________________________________________
This is an interesting pool and qualifying will go down to the wire. The Kiwis will make it through to be honest, but who will accompany them to the quarter finals and hopefully further–only time will tell. Enjoy the HSBC World Sevens Series that starts in Dubai on the 4-5th December 2015.
Follow all the news and Results of the Dubai Sevens here on Last Word On Sport with Scott Hornell, Kyle Willoughby and Jovilisi Waqa.
Main Photo
