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Las Vegas Sevens: Rugby Stars Invade Sin City

The third leg of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series heads to North America and the next tournament is the Las Vegas Sevens. Rugby stars from the abbreviated code and the many 15s players who are trying to book their spot for the Rio Olympics will invade Sin City for three days of hard hitting, fast paced and breathtaking display of sevens rugby.

It’s a three way tie on top of the World Series ladder, with Fiji, South Africa and New Zealand all on 69 points. The Fijians are the defending champions, at this tournament and in the competition as well so expect all of the 16 teams competing to have targeted this weekend. Here is a rundown of each pool, with Japan again the non-core invitational side.

Pool A: New Zealand, Kenya, Portugal and Russia

New Zealand

The Kiwis lead pool A after back-to-back wins in the Oceania Leg of the World Series. On those days, boosted with the likes of the Ioane brothers, Ardie Savea, Ben Lam and a newbie called Sonny Bill Williams, the boys from the Land of the Long White Cloud were unstoppable in their home tournament and at the Sydney Sevens in February.

They will be without the Ioane brothers, Savea and Lam for this weekend but welcome back (after a six year hiatus) the enforcer Liam Messam as he launches his bid for a spot in Rio. Messam in tandem with Sonny Bill “wow” and they also welcome back the old war horse, former captain DJ Forbes and will hand two rookies their debut in Josh Van Lieshout and Sione Molia.

NZL Squad: Kurt Baker, Dylan Coolier, Sam Dickson, DJ Forbes, Gilles Kaka, Josh Van Lieshout, Liam Messam, Tim Mikkelson, Sione Molia, Lewis Ormond, Sherwin Stowers, Beaudin Waaka, Regan Ware, Sonny Bill Williams.

Kenya

The Kenyans have named a debutant in Samuel Oilech and they welcome back Dennis Ombachi for his first outing for the season, while Bush Mwale misses out due to injury.

Kenya Squad: Andrew Amonde, Collins Injera, Oscar Ouma, Humphrey Kayenge, Augustine Lugonzo, Biko Adema, William Ambaka, Oscar Ayodi, Dennis Ombachi, Billy Odhiambo, Leonardo Mugaisi, Samuel Oilech.

Portugal

The Portugese were struggling in the opening rounds in Dubai but the return of Aderito Esteves in the Oceania Leg has inspired a sense of belief in the squad. There are three changes in the squad from the one who collected a valuable five points in Sydney.

Portugal Squad: Fabio Conceicao, David Wallis Carvalho, Tiago Fernandes, Joao Belo, Diogo Ribeiro, Jose Luis Cabral, Pedro Leal, Pedro Silveiro, Vasco Poppe, Antonio Vandinha, Vasco Ribeiro, Aderito Esteves.

 

Pool B: Australia, England, Scotland and Japan

England

The English team welcome back the ‘three musketeers’ in Charlie Hayter, Phil Burgess and new dad, the speedy Dan Norton. This experienced trio are named alongside 20-year old debutant Harry Glover.

Having performed adequately without most of it’s stars, many anticipate this side will try to go further with the key experienced players back in the squad.

England Squad: Tom Bowen, Phil Burgess, Cameron Cowell, Harry Glover, Alex Gray, Charlie Hayter, Ruaridh McConnochie, Tom Mitchell, Dan Norton, James Rodwell, Ethan Waddleton, Jack Wilson.

Australia

Thunderbolts Head Coach Andy Friend has handed 58 test veteran Quade Cooper his debut Sevens tournament in Sin City, as Pat McCutcheon makes his return to the sevens fold as well. A vast difference in experience, with their exceptional display in Sydney the Aussies will try to build on that and will rely on Ed Jenkins, Sam Myers, Henry Hutchison, Cam Clark and Cooper to spearhead their campaign.

Australia Squad: Henry Hutchison, Tom Kingston, Sam Myers, Boyd Killingworth, Tom Lucas, Con Foley, Cam Clark, Greg Jeloudev, Ed Jenkins (c), Allan Fa’alavau, Quade Cooper, Pat McCutcheon.

 

Pool C: Fiji, Argentina, Samoa and France

Fiji

Fiji is still in a literal ‘state of emergency’ after the devastation caused by Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Winston, that claimed 43 lives in the South Pacific Island nation. Beside looking to retain the title here, the Fiji team will be using this American Leg of the series to bring back smiles to it’s peoples faces.

Head Coach Ben Ryan, speaking to the Fiji Times said, “It’s been a tough few days for everybody in Fiji, we’re hoping to do our little bit to raise some smiles across the nation in the next two weeks.”

Ryan has selected two new players in his 14-men squad, Josua Vici and Masi Dakuwaqa and will omit two players from the traveling squad before game day.

Fiji Squad: Jasa Veremalua, Pio Tuwai, Osea Kolinisau, Savenaca Rawaca, Jerry Tuwai, Emosi Mulevoro, Isake Katonibau, Vatemo Ravouvou, Nemani Nagusa, Kitione Taliga, Josua Vici, Amenoni Nasilasila, Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Sevuloni Mocenacagi.

Argentina

This is the fifth tournament in a row that the Flying Fijians and Los Pumas have been pooled together, and the Santiago Gomez-Cora coached side will try to gain one win over their South Seas counterparts in Las Vegas.

The Argentinians will bank on their 15s stars to uplift them this weekend, when they welcome back the mercurial Bautista Ezcuerra and Axel Muller and Segundo Tuculet. Those men temporarily switched to 15s, to play in the Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) where Argentina A have done very well.

Gaston Revol comes in for Juan Cruz Gonzalez, as the only change from the team that won the plate at Sydney.

Argentina Squad: Santiago Alvarez (c), Nicolas Bruzzone, Rodrigo Etchart, Bautista Ezcuerra, Fernando Luna, Nicolas Menendez, Axel Muller, Gaston Revol, Joaquin Riera, Franco Sabato, German Schulz, Segundo Tuculet.

France

The Les Bleus have lost their winning feeling ever since they lost Virimi Vakatama but welcome back nippy Terry Bourahoua and together with Julien Candelon and Damian Cler, the French will try to restore some pride at this weekends Las Vegas Sevens.

France Squad: Jeremy Aicardi, Steeve Barry, Terry Bouhraoua, Julien Candelon, Damien Cler, Manoel Dall Igna, Alexandre Gracbling, Sofiane Guitone, Jonathen Laugel, Jean-Baptise Mazoue, Pierre-Gilles Lakafia, Stephen Parez, Arthur Retiere, Sacha Valleau.

Samoa

In a lukewarm season, Samoan Head Coach Damian McGrath has made changes to his team, most notably Alex Samoa who returns for the first time since 2012. Las Vegas has always been the favorite hunting ground for the Samoans, with a strong ex-patriot fanbase, they want to repeat that this weekend. Round five could be a make-or-break round for some sides, and that includes the Manu.

Samoa Squad: Falemiga Selesele, Alefosio Tapili, Alamada Motuga, Belgium Tuatagaloa, Tele’a Seumanutafa, Savelio Ropati, Phoenix Hunapo-Nofoa, Tila Mealoi, Alex Samoa, Samoa Toloa, Eddie Fidow, Tomasi Alosio.

 

Pool D: South Africa, USA, Canada and Wales

South Africa

The Blitzbokke welcome back some of their big star players for the next two rounds, with the likes of Ceceil Africa, Justin Geduld and captain Kyle Brown all making timely returns. Also making their comebacks to sevens rugby are Ryan Kankowski and the speedy Bryan Habana (the equal top-try scorer in Rugby World Cups) as coach Neil Powell continues to rotate his playing squad leading up to Rio.

Cheslin Kolbe and Juan De Jongh have returned to the DHL Stormers for Super Rugby duties, while Francois Houggard is on a short-term contract with Worcester but will return for the European Legs of the Sevens Series but expect new players to all introduce something missing since the New Year break. It is now March, so players must reach peak now–all teams will realize this.

South Africa Squad: Dylan Sage, Chris Dry, Tim Agaba, Kwagga Smith, Bryan Habana, Kyle Brown, Branco Du Preez, Rosko Specman, Justin Geduld, Cecil Africa, Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel, Ryan Kankowski.

USA

After a blistering start in Dubai, the Eagles 7s went into a ‘sleep mode’ in the Oceania Legs but must try to rectify that on their home turf. With their speed and newly found public awareness, the big crowds expected will shout-loudest for the wingers but hard workers like Will Holder and the evergreen Madison Hughes must deliver and generate go-forward ball for the lightning fast backs.

USA Squad: Carlin Isles, Ben Pinkelman, Danny Barett, Garrett Bender, Zack Test, Will Holder, Folau Niua, Maka Unufe, Nate Augspurger, Madison Hughes (c), Perry Baker, Martin Iosefo.

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The stage is set for another thrilling three-day tournament that has many teams vying for the Cup final. The expectations are high, and that leads to some riveting storylines. Will the Kiwis continue their momentum? Can the Fijians defend their title? and in a separate interesting point: will Habana and Cooper inspire their respective countries to perform or will the host [or an underdog] walk away with the Las Vegas Sevens crown come Sunday. The tournament looks set to answer these questions, and more.

Follow all the action from the Las Vegas Sevens, look for daily updates and match results from the LWOS team.

“Main photo”

What effect is 7s rugby having on 15s leading to Rio? in LastWordOnSports’s Hangs on LockerDome

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