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The 2013-14 rugby sevens series is upon us once again as the Gold Coast Sevens kicks off this afternoon, where we will once again get the chance to sit back and enjoy fast and pulsating rugby.
With sevens rugby now listed as one of the sports in the Rio Olympics in 2016, it is ever more renowned with teams already having one eye on player development for Rio.
I have compiled my favourites going into this two-day tournament based on form, past history and current crop of players.
As in other years New Zeland will be the team to beat, bringing into this tournament the team who were crowned the 2013 Sevens World Cup winners in Moscow after beating England in the final.
However Gold Coast has not been a happy hunting ground for the Kiwis and they are yet to record their first win here after going down to Fiji in both the finals.
Fiji has recently hired Ben Ryan, former England sevens coach and once captain, so they should build on consistency.
Their squad has a number of familiar players from last season and have six players starting against Canada from last year’s Gold Coast Sevens.
If there is any team with gamechangers, it has to be Fiji with their unorthodox play and barring disciplinary issues they could win it for the third time.
The home nation, Australia, also look in good form, with more than eight weeks’ preparation under their belt and more experienced players within their ranks this time around as confirmed by coach Michael O’Connor.
The Australian team should be well tested during its pool play, where they will face, Samoa, and Argentina as their main threats.
Samoa has just recently beaten Fiji, in the Oceania sevens and Argentina, were runners up last week in the Fiji International Sevens.
Samoa have always been a powerhouse in sevens rugby and they have just convincingly beaten Fiji in the final 31-17 in the Oceania Sevens last weekend. This was their first ever win against Fiji in Suva.
I am sure we will enjoy the sevens dished out form the Gold Coast this weekend, and get a glimpse of the future stars of sevens and 15s rugby.
After all who can forget how players like Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen, Michael O’Connor, Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Brian Lima and David Campese all started out in sevens before progressing to the big time.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.