Several teams are well in the hunt for the 2015/2016 World Rugby HSBC Sevens Series title. After five rounds, it is now halfway through the season once the Canadian leg begins on Saturday March 12th. It is virtually the ‘next step towards the World Series title’ for the men’s sides and it should be a great debut event to be held at BC Place Stadium, Vancouver.
A new stop on this years calendar, British Columbia will put on a great time for their guests. “It’s been a long time coming having a home tournament,” said Canada captain John Moonlight told World Rugby. “A lot of people have put a lot of work in and it’s great to finally be here. We had a glimpse of what a home tournament was like with the Pan American Games and that showed what the Canadian population can do.
“It was magnificent having that support and I think it’ll be even bigger this weekend. We want to inspire young players by going out there and showing what we can do.”
Las Vegas was the party stop – all the colour and bright lights of the ‘city that never stops’ are now replaced and now some hard work must be put in. Some hard yards as the conditioning coach would say, and yes every single man on the HSBC series knows hard work (and some know hard times). Of course, they all would like to reach the qualifying stages, succeed in the final and to walk away with 20 valuable points. The truth is now that a handful of teams have settled near the top of the standings, this weekend it is ‘moving time’.
Valuable points on offer at Vancouver Sevens
Starting with the 2012–13 series, all events have 16 teams competing for series points – Courtesy of World Rugby
- Cup winner (1st place): 22 points
- Cup runner-up (2nd place): 19 points
- Cup third-place play-off winner (3rd place): 17 points
- Cup third-place play-off loser (4th place): 15 points
- Plate winner (5th place): 13 points
- Plate runner-up (6th place): 12 points
- Losing Plate semi-finalists (joint 7th place): 10 points
- Bowl winner (9th place): 8 points
- Bowl runner-up (10th place): 7 points
- Losing Bowl semi-finalists (joint 11th place): 5 points
- Shield winner (13th place): 3 points
- Shield runner-up (14th place): 2 points
- Losing Shield semi-finalists (joint 15th place): 1 point
AS IT STANDS: @fijirugby remain top of the #HSBC7s after winning in Las Vegas. Who are you backing for #Canada7s? pic.twitter.com/nieWLBHJh2
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) March 7, 2016
The points accumulation is closest between the fifth to eighth placed sides, a good result here will change the board and promote one of the core sides who can string that winning sequence together. Don’t get me wrong, that is a formidable achievement to be in the reckoning at this stage. To be in contention. The top ten are all looking respectable halfway through this season.
Having scored big at Las Vegas, Fiji stand out for their handling ability and opportunistic play. Scooping-up the maximum 22 points was critical but they are within reach; one tournament’s result either way could do that, so a streak is the goal for Benjamin Ryan’s men. Winning on consecutive weekends is their goal and that proof will be clear for others to see. They must show their class and resolution, even though it really is a big ask – this side secured a double-points take last season at this very stage, so experience is with them. A good record then, can they repeat that achievement again?
As two-time champions, they are experienced and in this year are very dedicated to achieving their goals for themselves and the weather-battered nation. Even with a loss to Samoa on Day One, they persevered and have a good record but not entirely the same credentials like New Zealand hold. Unquestionably, that side’s consistency is a trait all others envy. The All Black Sevens do back-to-back round wins very well. Twelve times World Series winners, the most successful side in Rugby Sevens, their ability to peak at the right moment is a hard habit for them to break.
It’s not impossible, every good team has a bad day and in Sevens, that bad day can result in a Plate final win (which is still very good reward of 13 points). A loss in the quarter finals was not ideal and coach Sir Gordon Tietjens will ask his men for more. In the big picture, a series title requires a Cup win or placing. Full stop.
The same goes for the South African side, the second placed side this season have clear targets and that list also includes United States and Argentina too who have 52 points apiece. Well placed, each side can make a move this weekend. Australia collected a good haul of points last week, so can they go the one step further in Vancouver? They are big underachievers historically, if they were completely honest with themselves, the Thunderbolts would agree. The coverage in Australia last week was at a perfect time, early morning. That translates into popular support and the one thing every rugby fan knows is that a highly motivated Ozzie side can perform on the big stage.
So at this point in the season, if you intend to make a move, you must ‘act positively’ now and string some performances together as Fiji have done. A commanding performance will be required from a commanding team and on offer is a national reward. High performance sports teams are attractive to many parties: fans, sponsors and stakeholders. In that aspect, the entertainment factor in Sevens must be high, the skill level outstanding and the attitude ‘right on point’.
CHANGES TO SIDES (announced)
Australia makes five changes, with Lewis Holland recalled. Due to a long injury list: Tom Lucas (knee) and Pat McCutcheon (hamstring) join an injury list that includes Nick Malouf (knee), Pama Fou (shoulder), Simon Kennewell (ankle), Sam Figg (virus) and Tom Cusack (wrist). We see James Stannard back, while Quade Cooper has been permitted more time away from his French Top 14 club, to impress more with his game. If they can go one better than their twin finals experience, then it will bring a big smile to Australian fans who have waited a long time for a sense of consistency.
For New Zealand, Sione Malia and Teddy Stanaway are new to the environment, while others like Sherwin Stowers and Sam Dickson are still with the squad to build their fitness. An ‘irritable knee’ has forced Sonny Bill Williams to rehabilitate back in New Zealand, so his presence will be missing. Not great news, but with a mix of senior players and those added to provide the pace Tietjens says was missing, becoming used to the artificial surface of BC Place Stadium is another key to success for any of the teams not familiar with it.
Final teams are being selected as this article goes live, any major announcements will be broadcast on the Last Word On Sports social media platform, so watch all channels for updates.
NEW LEG, NEW VENUE, NEW FOLLOWERS
This new leg of the HSBC Sevens Series is not so much a test, it is a barometer of where teams are placed, and where the highest performing teams must show why they are favourites. A Blitzbok team could deny the Fijian team two wins in a row. New Zealand could raise their game or Argentina may be the surprise act in Vancouver, showing their flair and enthusiasm. I’m not saying anything is possible but in reality, we cannot predict it 100% accurately because the competition is that fierce.
That is the great thing really. It’s terrific for sports fans, new followers and especially for those becoming used to the sport being in the headlines. Sevens has to be promoted as an exciting option and for the competition to be unpredictable, that means any of the top eight sides still have opportunities. An extremely attractive prospect for the new spectators who have made Vancouver a sell-out.
Of note, details have been announced that 40% of the proceeds from the official tournament program will also be donated to the Cyclone Winston relief fund in Fiji. This is a tremendous effort, as other competitions have looked to support the South Sea Islanders and their cyclone-torn countrymen and women. The collective spirit of the support for the campaign #StrongerThanWinston is pure rugby-united at it’s best.
A great weekend is on the cards. The hosts will be the most inspired team and no one should count them out. Like England, they have not fired in this series, so expect big things from the Maple Leafs. They have a good mix of youth and wise heads. None more so then the venerable Phil Mack. As this link shows, he is capable of helping the hosts make a big move up the standings ladder this weekend.
The time to make a move is now!
POOLS FOR VANCOUVER SEVENS
- Pools A: Fiji, Kenya, Samoa and Portugal
- Pool B: Australia, Wales, Russia and Canada
- Pool C: South Africa, Argentina, Scotland and Brazil (invited side)
- Pool D: United States, New Zealand, France and England
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The Vancouver Sevens begins Saturday 12th March. Look forward to daily updates and detail on qualifying teams for all categories on Day Two from Last Word On Sport.
“Main photo”
