Robin Heymann

Due to the evolution of sevens over the last five months, if feels an eternity ago since Samoa won the World Series in May.

We have seen the birth of tournaments across the globe as sevens continues to evolve. We’ve had the National Sevens Series & JP Morgan Series in England, Oceania Sevens in the Northern Territory of Australia, the Collegiate Champs (televised on NBC) in the USA and Ireland announcing a club championships and of course the Commonwealth Games dazzling all in Delhi to name but a few.

Sevens continues to develop, but the constant is the World Series at the very top of the game. It now heads into its eleventh season. As well as being set on the field, the IRB has worked hard to give it strong foundation commercially by bringing in a title sponsor in HSBC. I am sure that this season is going to be the biggest spectacle yet.

So with the 10/11 chapter starting tomorrow here I go once more with my seven most pressing thoughts before the action kicks off at 'The Sevens' in Dubai tomorrow.

1. It is said every year but this season will be the most open yet.....

International Sevens is somewhat cyclical. Squads have a certain shelf life before players move onto other areas of the game either with their clubs, provinces or international 15s teams. This often leaves one or two sides left with experienced outfits whilst the others are blooding new players.

This was certainly the case last year with Samoa, who had retained a side for a significant period of time. The off-season has seen some turnover of players as the Commonwealths concluded a number of team’s player cycles. Samoa have lost a number of of key men to the 15s game, along with Australia who have seen players head off into the sunset and the Super 15.

What about Fiji? New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens calls them the dark horses and his is right. Lots of news players who you know will be dangerous built around likes of Roko and Vucago.

We even seen some new faces for New Zealand this year with six new caps whilst Kenya have finally decided to shake things up – whilst some key men like Injera sit exams. The South African program appears to be a conveyor belt of talent as proven by their bronze medal in Delhi, but even they have new faces. BUT...

2. New Stars are always born

As some of the household names, such as Pesamino, Baker and McCutcheon move on, they are swiftly replaced and will almost certain be forgotten as we rave about some new talent who has lit up the deserts of Dubai.

A few of the faces that are going to become more well known over the next few weeks could include -

Frank Halai (New Zealand) - Tietjens is quietly confident that the introduction of six debutants will be seamless for the perennial contenders and Halai will certainly have an impact early in the Series. He is powerful and incredibly disciplined in the defensive line and has a great engine. He is a player that you might not see all the time but that's because he is working so hard.

Bernard Foley/John Grant (Australia) - Australia were a revelation last season under the leadership of Pat McCutcheon and James Stannard and though they will be missed, it's time for one of the remaining experienced members of the squad; Foley to step up and take the Australians through to the next yard marker. Outside him he will find someone who is going to make an impact immediately. The giant John Grant can play wing or prop and has real try scoring ability whilst being large and powerful enough to hold up the ball for others around him.

Boom Prinsloo (South Africa) - I know very little about many of the South African new boys but I do trust that Paul Treu will always put out a competitive squad. The lad that has caught my eye is Boom Prinsloo. I am interested to see how he fares, he has the potential to have a fantastic season if he finds his feet quickly.

Gray Cullen (Kenya) - Kenya have made some changes and many in the media are breathing a sigh of relief as I certainly feel it’s been a long time coming. All IRB sides have something of an enforcer and Gray can certainly play this role – although he injured for the first few legs. He is going to be destructive at the breakdown, which is a must in the modern game and plays with the 'top 2 inch' - i.e. plays with his brain, which sometimes the Kenyans are guilty of not doing.

3. USA/Canada/Argentina - it's going to be a good year.

I really feel that it's going to be a good year for ‘The Americas'. The USA is bringing a really experienced side out to Dubai with very few debutants and could do some damage in Dubai before some of the top sides have found their feet, Matt Hawkins has seen it all before and will relish the new season, especially with the latest new American Football import Miles Craigwell.

Canada appear to be putting more effort into sevens to keep up with their rivals. With Geraint John taking over the reins and more funding coming via the Canadian Olympic Committee following the Vancouver Games, the feeling is Canada could make an impact.

Argentina had a down year by their own standards last year but I expect them to make a real comeback this year, they are well coached and some consistency in squad selection.

Of course success is graded differently for sides like these but making at least a couple of quarter-finals, and getting somewhere near the Kenya level is where I expect them to be (Canada of course later inthe Series). If they had a great weekend then once into the second day and the Cup, then anything can happen.

I appear to of not mentioned anyone from ..............

4. England. They are the side that have continuity in squad selection.

This could, just could be Ben Ryan’s year. Out of all the sides are the top of the Series, England are the side entering with some serious experience - only two of their squad have not played World Series in Dubai before and both Powell and Lindsay-Hague have played elsewhere.

The squad have been together for the best part of four months when you include preparation for the CG, they appear to be in good spirits. Two seasons ago, England entered the Series in a similar situation and they went on to win in London and Wellington. I think they have a chance to go better than that this year and after last year they are due a bit of luck.

I have great respect for what Ben Ryan has been doing with the England squad and sevens in general at the top of the game in England. It has taken the RFU a long time to wake up to the game of sevens and the need for there to be a full-time squad in place for the English side to be both competitive and develop young stars (not youngsters). Now that there is the beginnings of a full-time squad in place, that has had the benefit of a summer together, it's going to be very interesting to see how they fare.

The pressure is on. They have been successful without the infrastructure in the past and though other sides around the world spend more time together than the English, Ryan's side have never been so well prepared. My only worry is if they pick up some injuries....but I am genuinely excited to see Orange of England take the field!

5. Growing eyes on the Series

I am certain that come May/June the IRB will once again be announcing record numbers through the doors across the Series. IRB's Head of Development & Performance Mark Egan has targeted a total of 500,000 across all eight venues.

Those that have not been sell-outs before are getting closer and closer. The USA Sevens will now be shown live on NBC and the other tournaments are easily accessible across the globe, the numbers and interest in the world game is only going to grow again. This affects the sport throughout with the earlier mentioned tournaments & teams around the world only improving in quality of rugby and commercial viability.

6. Expansion......? Going to keep this very simple. But my feeling (rumours flying everywhere) is the following for the expansion of the Series for next season.

Dubai
South Africa
Japan*
Wellington
Australia
Argentina*
Hong Kong
Las Vegas
Geneva*
London

*new tournament

7. And the winner is...

I see three teams winning two tournaments (England, New Zealand, South Africa) with Samoa and Fiji taking one each. My feeling is that alongside some magic from England they will have a nightmare somewhere along the line and end up in the Bowl meaning they will drop out of the overall race. This will leave New Zealand to steal back their trophy in Scotland.

Bring on tomorrow and as always keep it 7s.