The ever evolving HSBC Women’s Sevens Series moves to North America over the next two weeks and the Atlanta Sevens kicks it off this weekend on the 8-9 of April before moving up to Canada next. Australia is looking for their third victory in a row in the 2015/2016 series, the Kiwis will try to retain their title from last season. The host side come into Atlanta with a new coach, the Fijians will be looking for something to cheer up their fellow countrymen (after Cyclone Xena hit their nation this week) the French try to reach their first final and the Colombian girls to debut this weekend. A busy weekend ahead, so Last Word On Sports focuses on the Atlanta Sevens with ‘The Lowdown’ with Jovilisi Waqa.
Pool A (Australia, Fiji, England, Colombia)
Australia
The Aussies are chasing their third title and have gone for a young team after the loss of Sharni Williams, Elia Green, Gemma Etheridge and Brooke Henderson to injury but still have their core team in Emilee Cherry, Charlotte Caslick, Alicia Quirk, Chloe Dalton assisted by Evania Pelite, Emma Tonegato, Tiana Penitani, Mahalia Murphy and 18 year old debutant Dominique Du Toit.
Aussie Pearls squad:
Shannon Parry, Brooke Walker, Dominique Du Toit, Tiana Penitani, Emma Tonegato, Evania Pelite, Charlotte Caslick, Chloe Dalton, Amy Turner, Alicia Quirk, Emilee Cherry, Mahalia Murphy and travelling reserve Georgie Friedrichs.
Fiji
After the devastation of Severe Tropical Storm Winston in the Pacific Island, the friendly Fijians will use this tournament to give their fans something to cheer about. They will try to show England too, that their win over the English in Sao Paulo wasn’t one-off.
They have named two newcomers, former national netball captain Matila Waqanidrola and school sprint champ Merewai Cumu but the latter won’t play this weekend after missing the final cut. Back in the mix is Asinate Savu and Rebecca Tavo, while missing from the trip are Tima Tamoi, Tima Ravisa and Brittany Coates.
The Fijians are aiming for a semifinal finish but the Rio Olympics is still their ultimate goal.
Fijiana squad:
Lavenia Tinai, Ana Maria Roqica, Asinate Savu, Rusila Nagasau, Rebecca Tavo, Merewai Cumu*, Matila Waqanidrola, Litia Naiqato Talica Vodo, Jiowana Saut*, Miriama Morawa,Miriama Naiobasaga, Luisa Tisolo, Viniana Riwai. (*not part of the final 12 for this weekend)
England
The English want to get back their season on track and they also know that places for the Great Britain team to the Olympics is up for grabs, so it is all-to play-for this weekend. They have an experienced squad with Heather Fischer leading from the front and Emily Scaratt captaining the side again. Their battle against the Fijiana side will be one to watch.
English squad:
Claire Allan, Abbie Brown, Rachael Burford, Heather Fischer, Natasha Hunt, Sarah McKenna, Katy McLean, Alice Richardson (vc), Emily Scarratt (c), Emily Scott, Danielle Waterman, Jo Watmore, Kay Wilson, Amy Wilson-Hardy.
Colombia
The Colombians are debuting but don’t count them out, as they have the ‘element of surprise’. They will be physical, fast and aggressive in the breakdown no doubt. We hope for a good showing from the Colombians women.
Colombian squad:
Alejandra Betaucur, Sharon Acevado, Camila Lopera, Solangie Delgado, Guadalupe Lopez, Laura Gonzalez, Estufacia Ramirez, Ana Ramirez, Khaterinne Medine, Andrea Fernandez, Laura Garcia, Nicole Acevado.
Pool B (Canada, Russia, France, Ireland)
Canada
The Canadians are in by far, the toughest pool in Atlanta and coach John Tait knows this well, “All three teams can tackle well and contest the breakdown” he told worldrugby.org
Tait has handed Emmanuela Jada her debut after great showing in the Invitational Tournaments for the Maple Leafs, but leading their campaign is their ‘rock’ Jen Kish, the elusive Ghislaine Landry and the fiery Megan Lukan.
Maple Leafs squad:
Emmanuela Jada, Hannah Darling, Bianca Farella, Sara Kaljuvec, Jen Kish, Ghislaine Landry, Megan Lukan, Kayla Mack, Kayla Moleschi, Karen Paquin, Kelly Rusell, Charity Williams.
Russia
The ever improving Russians have named two 19 year olds Daria Lushina and Elena Zdrokova in their squad, as Head Coach Pavel Baranosky continues to look for the best talent heading to Rio but retain their best player Nadezda Kadinova and the experienced Anna Minislanova to head their campaign at the Atlanta Sevens.
Russian squad:
Daria Lushina, Anaa Minislanova, Maria Perestiyak, Marina Petrova, Kristina Seredina, Maria Schemchuk, Elena Zdrokova, Arina Bystrova, Daria Fefelova, Baizat Khamidova, Nadezda Kadinova, Marina Kukina.
France
After reaching fourth spot at Sao Paulo in the last leg, the French will try to reach their first final in Atlanta and Coach Jean-Jacques Gourdy has named a side led again by Fanny Horta that has power and speed that compliments their prowess in the breakdown area.
“After Sao Paulo we were pleased with results, because we finished fourth” admitted Horta. “It’s a big step that we have failed to climb for a while. It’s a good thing [to reach the semi finals] and it also shows us that we can go even higher” Fanny Horta speaking to worldrugby.org
French squad:
Pauline Biscart, Laurelin Foucarde, Camille Grassineau, Lina Guerin, Clemence Greucier, Elodie Gniglion, Fanny Horta (c), Cardine Ladagrons, Jane Le Pesa, Marjorie Mayars, Chloe Pelle, Rose Thomas.
Ireland
The Irish welcome three of their Six Nations stars back, in Kim Flood, Alison Miller and hard-running Sene Naoupu, as they built for the final Olympic repecharge in their home soil. The team will be led again by captain Lucy Mulhall, together with Clare Keohane and Hannah Tyrell.
Irish squad:
Ashleigh Baxter, Katie Fitzhenry, Kim Flood, Stacey Flood, Clare Keohane, Alison Miller, Lucy Mulhall (c), Ame Leigh, Sene Naoupu, Audrey O’Flynn, Hannah Tyrell and Megan Williams
Pool C (New Zealand, USA, Spain, Japan)
New Zealand
The Kiwis named three debutants in their touring party, though only 21 year-old Theresa Fitzpatrick and Terina Te Tamaki will debut in Atlanta. The exciting Stacey Waaka is waiting in the wings to hopefully debut at Langford.
They welcome back; after a years absence, Selica Winiata and she will compliment well both captain Sarah Goss and the bulldozing Kelly Brazier. The Sisters have been hit with injuries to playmaker Nuriana Manuel, rover Kayla McAlister and Gayle Broughton but have enough depth to retain their Atlanta Sevens title for my mind.
Sevens Sisters Squad:
Selica Winiata, Sarah Goss, Michaela Blyder, Kelly Brazier, Shiray Tane, Terina Te Tamaki, Ruby Tui, Stacey Waaka, Katarina Whata-Simpskins, Niall Williams, Portia Woodman, Theresa Fitzpatrick. (Not playing this weekend; Tyla Natha-Wong and Janna Vaughan.
USA
The Women’s Eagles host their tournament with a new coach in Richie Walker, someone synonmous with the Serevi Select side that’s been coming to the Coral Coast Sevens in Fiji in the past few years. He has a good rugby brain and the technical know-how to take the Americans to new heights.
He has given Nicole Hearivland her debut and they will be led by cancer survivor Jillion Potter with Megan Bonny, Alex Kelter and Bui Baravilla to spearheading their campaign.
Women’s Eagles Squad:
Nicole Hearivland, Richelle Stepehens, Kate Zackery, Jillion Potter (c), Megan Bonny, Amelia Bezier, Ryan Carlyle, Alex Kelter, Bui Baravilala, Lauren Doyle, Kristen Thomas, Jessica Javelet.
Japan
The Japanese are building a formidable side heading into Rio, with speedy Marie Yamaguchi leading the charge but it is the leadership of Chiharu Nakamura, the inclusion of Ano Kuwai and Ayaka Suzuki which will be heavily relied upon. LWOS are sure they will try to go above the shield competition in Atlanta this weekend, and show their true promise.
On the plus side, Misaki Suzuki celebrates her 24th birthday on Saturday 9th April,; finals day-can they celebrate with a big win for her?
Japanese Squad:
Chiharu Nakamura, Makiko Tomita, Ai Nakamura, Misaki Suzuki, Maki Takano, Ano Kuwai, Marie Yamaguchi, Chisato Yoko, Mio Yamanaka, Ayaka Suzuki, Nariko Taniguchi, Kana Mitsugi.
Spain
The Leonas have a team that consists of five over 30 year old players, four over 25, an 18 and 19 year old in their squad. That range of experience and raw enthusiasm may determine how far they will progress?
Only good performances on the field will tell, but they hope a good combination will carry them through this weekend.
Leonas squad:
Berta Garcia, Paula Medina, Angela Del Pan, Patricia Garcia, Marina Bravo, Elisabetz Martinez Garcia, Iera Eschebarria Fernandez, Maria Casado, Ana Vanesa Rial, Amaria Erbina Arana, Teresa Bueso Gomez, Irene Schiavou.
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The stage is set, while the Men strut their stuff at the ‘Mecca’ of sevens rugby in Hong Kong, the ladies look set to give the American public some mouth-watering action with some hard-hitting, fast running rugby. The game is evolving more and more, no easy games, so who will be crowned champions come Saturday?
Stay involved and follow all the updates and action from the Atlanta Sevens, here with the ‘Lowdown’ on Last Word On Sports.
Main Photo Dominique Du Toit, Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images
