After New Zealand triumphed over Australia in the final of the Gold Coast Sevens, the IRB Sevens World Series now moves to Round 2 in Dubai. Last year Samoa upset New Zealand in the final to win the tournament.
The New Zealanders are the team to beat yet they have not won the tournament in Dubai since 2009. The Kiwi’s are in good form but they face strong contenders in the form of Australia, England and South Africa. Don’t be surprised if Kenya, Samoa or Fiji are also in the mix.
Australia sit in second position behind New Zealand on the World Series ladder and will need to maintain their solid form to stay in touch; however, the Aussies haven’t had to best record in Dubai. Their best performances were making the Cup Semi-final in 2000 and 2002.
Sevens Coach Michael O’Connor has assembled an experience team with some familiar faces which is a rarity for an Australian Sevens team.
“We’ve put together our best possible squad. Sometimes it’s difficult with players out with injury, but this time we’ve managed to put together a good collection of players.”
“It’s a well-balanced team, with a lot of those who played on the Gold Coast. In my opinion, it’s the best squad we could have going into the next round”
Nine players from the Gold Coast tournament will return to the squad. The squad features Shannon Walker, Jesse Parahi, Sean McMahon, Con Foley (Mens Sevens player of the year), Lewis Holland, Nick Malouf, Paul Asquith, Tom Lucas, Greg Jeloudev and Luke Morahan. Cameron Clark was originally selected in the squad but pulled out due to a slight quadricep strain. He was replaced by 30 year old, former Western Force player James Stannard. Ed Jenkins will continue to captain the side after having a strong tournament on the Gold Coast.
The Women’s Sevens also kicks off in Dubai. The Aussies will play pool matches against Brazil, France and will finish off with Canada. New Zealand will also be favourites to win.
Aussie Sevens star Shannon Parry suggested the team had prepared well coming into the tournament.
“as a team we are looking a lot stronger and a lot fitter then we have been in the past, in the pre-season and I think there is a really good vibe around the squad at the moment. Everyone is happy and everyone is just keen to get out there and give it a good go in Dubai on the weekend”
Womens Squad: Shannon Parry, Hanna Sio, Emilee Cherry, Saofaiga Saemo, Rachel Crothers, Amy Turner, Cobie Jane Morgan, Alicia Quirk, Emma Tonegato, Charlotte Caslick, Ellia Green, Sharni Williams (c)
MENS
[one_fourth last=”no”]Pool A
New Zealand
Kenya
France
Portugal[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth last=”no”]Pool B
Australia
Wales
Scotland
Spain[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth last=”no”]Pool C
England
Fiji
Canada
United States[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth last=”yes”]Pool D
South Africa
Samoa
Argentina
Russia[/one_fourth]
WOMENS
[one_fourth last=”no”]Pool A
New Zealand
Fiji
United States
Ireland[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth last=”no”]Pool B
England
Tunisia
Russia
Spain[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth last=”no”]Pool C
Australia
France
Canada
Brazil[/one_fourth]
[one_fourth last=”yes”][/one_fourth]
