HSBC Canada Sevens: Will The New Trend Of A New Winner Continue?

HSBC Canada Sevens

The sixth leg of the HSBC Sevens Series moves to Canada this weekend. BC Place in Vancouver will be hosting the 16 teams vying for the Canada Sevens. Five tournaments have passed and we have five different winners. The big question here is, Will the trend continue?

United States won last weekend and has given hopes to the likes of Kenya, Scotland and Canada. Inconsistent Argentina played in the final, their second this season. Who knows it could be there weekend? However, don’t count out England, Wales and Samoa. They can be very competitive when they turn up.

The English are the defending champs in Canada and with the cold weather on their side, their chances are higher in retaining the title. The Kiwis will be without Tim Mikkelson and Vilimoni Koroi but the won the tourney in 2016 with a injury depleted side.

HSBC Canada Sevens: THE LOWDOWN

United States leads Pool A with Australia, Canada and Uruguay. Argentina heads Pool B which includes Wales, Samoa and defending champs England. Fiji is in Pool C with Kenya who piped them last weekend in their final pool play. France and Spain round up that pool. Series leaders South Africa heads Pool D with New Zealand, Scotland and Russia.

Pool A

Canada will be fiery at home and will be very competitive against the Aussies and Americans. Consistency is what they lack, fix that while using more of their young players.

Australia needs to put away games and turn all possession to points.

However, the biggest threat is still Perry Baker. Contain him and the big boys of Danny Barrett and Ben Pinkelman, the Americans will stagger. It’s a three way battle in Pool A with Uruguay testing the big boys.

Pool B

Argentina can go all the way here in Vancouver. With Martin Oscadzuk on song together with Lautoro Balan Velez and Gaston Revol their chances look high.

Defending champs England are hungry for a tournament win. Using Tom Bowen to start their games could be the answer.

However, Wales with Luke Morgan and Ben Roach looked promising last weekend. Back that up and Pool B could go either way with Samoa the outside favorites.

Pool C

Fiji don’t play well in the cold but they can turn up and blast all teams away. On the other hand Kenya can break their stride easily. Big battle between them and France to decide the pool. Spain just needs to take control of possession to dictate terms.

Pool D

New Zealand and South Africa will battle this out with their new look sides. Scotland can never be underestimated with Russia testing our breakdown prowess. Andrew Kneewstub needs to step up for the Kiwis and dictate play.

LWOR 7 Players to watch in Vancouver

Zain Davids of South Africa — instrumental, big on defense and carries the ball well.

Jacob Ale of Samoa, good defensively and runs impressive lines with George Langkilde

Ben Roach of Wales, on song he is lethal like Luke Morgan.

Lautaro Balan Velez of Argentina — our perfect impact player off the bench and match winner

Vasikali Mudu of Fiji, if given more game time the rookie will grow, watch his big hits.

German Davydov of Russia, if the Russians rally behind him they can be the surprise package.

Tom Bowen of England, needs to start more and could be the English main weapon this weekend

Verdict

Competition is getting tougher. We could have another new winner but the weather will be favorable to the side that adapts. English hot favorites with Argentina, Canada and Wales.

Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa and Australia could be the spoilers. Nothing is like what its used to be so don’t miss the action.

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