Preview: Sevens World Series, Round 1

We preview round one of the Women's Sevens World Series which kicks off this weekend in Dubai.

Published by Alison Donnelly, November 26th, 2013

6 minute read

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Preview: Sevens World Series, Round 1

Pool A: New Zealand, Fiji, Ireland, USA

New Zealandwill be clear favourites to top this pool with Sean Horan’s side going into the competition as both the Series defending champions and the World Cup holders. Some familiar faces return to the black jersey with Carla Hohepa and Shakira Baker back from injury but a handful of top players are ruled out, including Portia Woodman and Kelly Brazier, two cornerstones of New Zealand success.

USAhave an eye on the future with their squad selection, with three Collegiate All Americans in their squad, though there’s plenty of experience in the squad with Victoria Folayan, Kelly Griffin, Kathryn Johnson, Deven Owsiany and Jillion Potter all returning from the USA’s World Cup campaign.

Fiji’sprogress will certainly be interesting to chart. A host of Fijian players shone in a recent home tournament, including a Club side who upset a top quality Australian team on the way to the final.  Favouring a very physical style of sevens, Rusila Nagasau is certainly one to watch and Fiji could provide some real upsets in this pool.

Irelandare taking a squad light on the kind of experience you’d expect following a very strong year so far at international level. with a number of the country’s top players choosing to focus on the 15s game in the lead up to next summer’s World Cup. However Alison Miller is a player to watch, while five of the Dubai squad featured in the Grand Slam win earlier this year.

Pool B: England, Russia, Spain, Tunisia

Spain, third at the World Cup this summer, believe their finish in Moscow was no fluke and coach Tomás García and his team will relish the challenge provided by a group that contains their two greatest European rivals. Historically Europe's number 2 team, they were disappointed not to be selected as a core World Series side last season and are determinded to retain their newly-won position with the game's elite. They have selected their strongest possible team, including three players - Berta and Patricia Garcia, and Irene Schiavon - brought back from New Zealand for the weekend.

Englandare making 15s their priority this season but given where Dubai has fallen in the schedule, they’ve included experienced intentional stars Rachael Burford, Michaela Staniford and Claire Allan in their side, among others who have tasted plenty of England action in recent years. Getting off to a flying start in Dubai could be a real help later in the season when some of those players are involved in England's World Cup preparation.

Russiahave easily been one of the most improved sides in the sevens game in recent years and showed again at their home World Cup, that when on form they can beat anyone. Top players return this season including Baizat Khamidova, whose sister Navrat is playing in Dubai as well but in the invitational women’s tournament, but Russia are also taking plenty of new faces to Dubai this weekend with some unfamiliar faces in their squad.

Tunisiawill find the going tough in Dubai, as they did in Moscow, but will aim to soak up as much experience as possible as one of the invited teams on this round of the series.

Pool C: Australia, Canada, France, Brazil

Australiahave been working with new head coach Tim Walsh in recent months and have had some regular playing time recently at various tournaments, including in Fiji. Ellia Green has been generating interest with her rapid pace, but one to watch is 18-yr old Emma Tonegato, who is been tipped as a star in the making following recent appearances.

Canadaare captained by standout player Ghislaine Landry and she leads the team in the absence of experienced duo Jen Kish and Mandy Marchak, who are both injured. With recent international action in NACRA and in Europe against France and England, Canada’s players are certainly ready for action, and the second placed World Cup side will be confident.

Francehas not seen sevens as a priority in the past, but one of the aims of the FFR's reoganisation of the domestic is to change this and win a place in the core next season. The squad have already had more preparation time than in the past, with leading players taking little or no part in the recent Autumn series. Unfortunately this has not been enough to prevent a number of significant injuries to key players - even (in the case of Pauline Biscarat) on the eve of the tournament - but those that remain have plenty of experience and are capable of springing some surprises.

Brazilhave become a semi-professional outfit over the summer with a number of their top players now based permanently in Sao Paulo as they continue their lead up to their home Olympics. Brazil came agonisingly close to a few upsets in Moscow and they may be the side in this pool to watch for upsets.

Seeherefor the fixtures and results andherefor the squad news from each pool.

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