The World Rugby 2015/2016 HSBC Sevens Series has been one of the most fiercely contested series since it’s inception, and after six fantastic tournaments the scene is set for a showdown at the legendary Hong Kong Sevens round, as leading sides fight for position at this important stage. The Sevens Series consists of 16 of the best sides on the International scene, with a ten round competition for World supremacy. That is before concentrating on their collective Olympic dreams.
With the 2016 Rio Olympics as the undeniable pinnacle of this calendar season, all qualified teams have been using the HSBC series to test and gauge players performances on the best training ground of all. ‘Six tournaments in’ most sevens fans are still pondering who will be HSBC series the winner come the final round in London.
As of now, as teams head to the ‘Mecca’ of sevens rugby at the Hong Kong event (HK7’s) three premier teams are strong favorites. Defending HK7’s and HSBC sevens series champions Fiji, the mighty Blitzboks of South Africa and the only team to win three tournaments this season, the most consistent team in the series, New Zealand. Also include the Aussie Thunderbolts who are the undoubted ‘Dark Horse’ and who could quite literally beat any the top guns on their day. They are certainly not far off the leaders and it is great for the sport to have a spread of contenders in such a critical season.
Join Last Word On Sports as we look at how teams have progressed midway through the season, we assess their strengths, their weaknesses and ponder what each need to rectify in their 2016 season. Consider who might they need to bring in to bolster their squad now, as global competitions allow for wider selection policy. There is time to import some heavyweight support to their HSBC title claim but today we focus on the here-and-now because the HK7’s are only weeks away.
Starting with the number one ranked side, LWOS profile nine out of the 16 sides on the 2015/2016 circuit.
Fiji
The Fijians are currently ranked number one, building up 106 points so far. They won the opening Dubai and recent Las Vegas tournament, so they know the taste of Gold. The Fijians have built a core side and will try to reinforce that soon with their overseas based players, who mainly feature in the French rugby competitions.
They have done well without a true speedster in their team, or a rover who can create gaps like Martin Iosefo of USA and Werner Kok of South Africa. Although they have done well, Fiji need someone who can take them through that advantage line, so are eagerly waiting on the availability of Toulon’s Josua Tuisova and Montpellier’left-wing Samisoni Viriviri to bolster their speed department.
The likes of Semi Kunatani, Lepani Botia and Waisea Nayacalevu, when available will add a different dimension to the Fijians game but you will only see them in action when the European leg rolls around, as their respective clubs will only release them then. As for the prospective Hong Kong team, it maybe filled with mainly locally based men, and judging by past tournaments, it’s high time that Coach Ben Ryan should consider resting Pio Tuwai and Jerry Tuwai. He may include Api Domolailai and Viliame Mata, possibly dropping Jo Vici but the Rugby South department agree that Ryan must keep the ‘find of the season’ Masivesi Dakuwaqa.
2. South Africa
The Blitzboks are the most consistent side this season, even as coach Neil Powell has been rotating his players, they have accumulated 105 points with the single event win but hardly ever out of the final four sides since Dubai [Plate winners] They know a formula of rugby sevens play, it is extremely well managed and instinctive. Never disgracing themselves, even crowd favourites at times they could find a new level by Hong Kong or Singapore.
They have strengths across all areas of the game, something few teams posses. The shear speed of Seabelo Senatla, the raw strength of Kwagga Smith and the ultra quick thinking of Rosko Specman, these are only but a few of what the South Africans have in their arsenal. You only ponder what their final twelve would be (by Rio) as all the XV’s players that have been drafted in over this year have adapted and will add to their versatility. Tim Agaba and Ruan Nel are hard to decide on, but are both ‘aces up the sleeve’ of the Blitzbok season so far.
3. New Zealand (104 points)
The Kiwis are the most consistent side of the series since it’s inception 12 years ago, winning on a regular basis but this season they had slow start due to injury and have managed to strike back fantastically, and are the only team to win three tournaments so far. They have tried and tested their nominated XV’s stars who elected to join the sevens program, and contrary to their detractors they have passed their examination, that is apart from Liam Messam who struggled in his only tournaments he featured in on this American leg.
Not every new face will be as inspirational as Rieko Ioane who will be a magical addition if made available. In place of some young men, DJ Forbes has stood up and without the
With the loss of Ben Lam, it has opened another door for a forward to make this squad and for mine, Lewis ‘Shadowhunter’ Ormond earns his spot in the team. Always hunting in the shadows of Tim Mikkelson, Sam Dickson and now with the big ex-XV’s players coming in, this guy has been Mr Consistent for New Zealand–apart from their outstanding captain Mikkelson.
The Kiwis have power, height and speed but what they lack the most, is a playmaker. Formerly blessed with two back-to-back Fijian-born playmakers in Amasio Raoma and Tomasi Cama that led them to multiple titles. Ever since Cama left the team (now a part of the Coaching group) that position hasn’t been filled entirely and Sir Gordon Tietjens is still searching for their permanent replacement. This season they have the ‘thumbs up’ from the enthusiastic Kurt Baker, Beaudein Waaka, Joe Webber and the exciting Gilles Kaaka. While none have fulfilled that void fully, it is time to step up now.
4. Australia (90 points)
The Aussies have really performed well under new coach Andy Friend and their tag as the “Dark Horse’ has them putting pressure on all teams. They have the players and a squad that’s built around the competent Ed Jenkins, experienced James Stannard, Lewis Holland, Cameron Clark and the [out of action] Pama Fou. Key men who have been rotated to introduce youth and promising sevens debutantes.
All they need is to put together a more complete 14-minute performance that they could have very well achieved after Sydney and the Las Vegas. Now, with the inclusion of Quade Cooper who has been granted an extension by Toulon and in the promising Tom Kingston, they surely will improve and peak at the right time to spring a few surprises.
Their find of the season so far is young Henry Hutchison. This guy has speed to burn together with the tireless worker of Sam Meyers, the future of Aussie Sevens is in good hands. Like South Africa they are an all round team who need to build in a consistency and the ability to put games to bed. So often the Bridesmaid, come August on the world stage, the Green and Gold will very likely be on the main podium at the final ceremony.
5. USA (76 points)
The 2014-15 HSBC Series finale could be hailed as the ‘breakthrough year’ for the Americans, as they won in London and they continued that momentum immediately at Dubai and Cape Town only to fade recently due mainly to below average performances and the high injury toll sevens unfortunately creates. The upside is that speed-twins Perry Baker and Carlin Isles are having their best season to date. Long range tries are their speciality, with Perry in hot form with 29 tries.
The Eagles need to work more set moves around their ‘find of the season’ in Martin Iosefo. Instinctive, his weakness is running away from his support and as a individual, it is great to be creative provided you are a team player and can back-up and feed others. Iosefo has the power and vision, this team must utilize that strength and skillset, pairing him with the wonderful Madison Hughes as this nation ise no doubt the rising powerhouse of sevens rugby.
Interestingly, at the upcoming USA Rugby Olympic training program, a young Nate Ebner will join the environment. An NFL Superbowl winner, he played Under 20 rugby and could be a revelation who might oneday bring the consistency and dedication needed. A professional organisation under Mike Ford, they can certainly play at the level of the big boys. It’s the top two inches where a team like this can only improve in.
6. Argentina (69 points)
The Los Pumas sevens are one of those teams that on their day and when in the mood, can account for any team. Again, consistency and an inability to keep possession is their main weakness but they have a good side that will welcome the feisty Santiago Cordero with open arms (if available) because they need his experience and ability to find gaps to counter the opposition.
Bautista Ezcuerra is their stand out star so far and when they reach the lush field at So Kon Po Stadium, it might remind them of home and that would be a terrific result for Latin American rugby.
7. England (57 points)
After losing the Cup final at the Dubai Sevens to Fiji, the English team’s season took a turn for the worse and they now haven’t reached the cup quarters in the last three tournaments since Wellington. Yes, they have the team which has performed well in the past but in a season where Olympic Gold selection is at stake, team members will have to win a spot ultimately against players from other Great Britain contenders for the training squad who assemble for their composite Olympic side; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the English look totally lost.
Congratulations to the English XV’s side for winning the Six Nations, their Under 20s are doing well but their sevens teams currently are struggling, Is it the coach? the players? Whatever it is, we hope they recover in time for the Asian leg before their host tournament in London.
Over the course of these six tournaments, Harry Glover is their ‘player for the future’.
8. Kenya (53 points)
The Kenyans, like the Argentinians, can beat any team on their day and indeed the Kiwis got a taste of that in Las Vegas when they were walloped 22-0! They tried to repeat that feat against the Fijians a week later, but they did one thing wrong–they had forewarned the South Sea Islanders (who just won 24-19) so the Pride are still searching for that elusive second ever win over Fiji.
It is clear that the team is built around Collins Injera, Willy Ambaka, Dennis Ombachi, Humphrey Kayange and their ‘star of the season’ Bush Mwale. They lack the consistency required to be in the Top Six and many believe they don’t play their hearts out in every game, Kenya need to rectify the way they approach the game if only then, they could go far.
9. France (44 points)
The French lost the plot when they lost Virimi Vakatawa to international duties, but expect him back in Hong Kong in a few weeks. After good performances in the opening two rounds, like the English, Les Bleus dropped in form severely, with only Terry Bourahoua and ‘Centurion try scorer’ Julien Cadelon demonstrating any of their strengths. Their best performer by far has been Damian Cler.
The experiment of bringing in Fulgence Quedrogo has to be tried again with Vakatawa in the team, and if possible a speedy Top 14 winger must be found quickly to bolster the squad. Again, consistency, dedication and physical hardwork can turn the wheel for France to again race to the front of the field in the last four tournaments.
No side on this ten leg circuit can be dispatched without conviction. Samoa especially have shown recent form, Canada were sensational at home and Japan have impressed too. Russia gave everybody a giant scare to open the season with before the Russian Bears fell into hibernation too soon, but none will join that elite level without having Superstars like Senatla, Isles, Injera or Sonny Bill Williams] A winning side has mix of ‘X factor’ as well as a good team bond and character.
They will each need that, as six tournaments in teams must be adaptable. The Kiwi’s have won at-the-death several times, so too have Fiji and the old saying that ‘two minutes in Sevens can see two tries scored’ must always be a teams mantra. Play the team in front of you, not the one on the page.
In 2015/2016, sides must all learn to bounce back from setbacks quickly, not dwell on the past as their combined Golden Goal awaits all 11 teams who have qualified for Rio so far. A final side is to be decided between some of these nations (at Monaco in June) With the HSBC series decided in late May, there is still time to perform.
Six tournaments in, there is still time to impress.
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As the HSBC World Sevens Series heads to the Asian leg of Hong Kong and Singapore one week later, Last Word On Sports look forward to what will unfold at the So Kon Po Stadium. Follow all the action, reaction and daily coverage of the #HK7s with Scott Hornell and Jovilisi Waqa.
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