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Darwin’s Hottest Sevens kicks off tomorrow with this year’s tournament set to be one of the most competitive in its 22-year history.

Fiji’s South Sea-Drifters are top seeds at Austar Park but will missing the input of the likes of Waisale Serevi, Lepani Nabuliwaqa and a host of other talent who are instead participating at the Suva Rugby Festival.

The Drifters, winners in 2007 and 2008, finished runners-up last year to Samoa, who themselves won’t be back to defend their title with commitments in Suva.

Kenya’s national team, playing under the Wakimbizi banner, are first time visitors to the Northern Territory en-route to Wellington for the third leg of the IRB Sevens World Series and are currently equal fifth with Argentina in the world standings.

Should the seedings fall to plan the Kenyan’s would play Aussie Spirit in a Semi Final. Coach Michael O’Connor is also bringing a new look side to Darwin.

James Stannard and Shaun Foley are likely to be the catalysts for the Aussies success with Foley impressive last year in his first season back in Rugby after a sojourn in League. Clinton Sills who has impressed so far on this year’s IRB Sevens World Series is also involved.

The Aussie Spirit side named by Australian selectors yesterday for the Hottest 7s this weekend will remain in Darwin following the tournament to train with the Kenyans ahead of the next leg of the IRB Sevens World Series in Wellington, New Zealand.

Indicative of the strength of the competition, fourth seed Davetalevu will be formidable opponents with the Fijians victorious at the prestigious Singapore Cricket Club 7’s in November. Last year’s semi-finalists, Samurai International, are another side with the potential to go all the way in Australia’s Top End.

Rarely has one of the top four seeds failed to qualify for the Semi Finals but this year the path will be a tough one with Borneo Eagles and Samurai International keen to be still alive come Sunday Night while Sunnybank, Randwick and Tuggeranong will represent the Rugby strongholds of Brisbane, Sydney and the ACT respectively.

Local hopes of glory seem to rest with the NT Mosquitoes, Darwin Dingoes and Casuarina Cougars.

The Mozzies are a composite of exciting young players from the NT Institute of Sport, seasoned local representative players boosted by four members of an expanded Australian 7’s squad.

The Dingoes, a draw the bulk of their players from the Darwin Dragons Club and will be boosted again by former dual international Andrew Walker.

Casuarina is also hoping to perform well. The Cougars won the Bowl at Novembers SCC 7’s where one of the players Manasa Tuisuva was then recruited by Davetalevu to replace an injured player for the Cup Final. Casuarinas’ trump card could be young Zimbabwe International Danny Robertson who is in Darwin visiting family.

The Amazons are the obvious team to beat when the women’s section of Darwin Sevens starts this weekend. Captained by Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009-winning captain Cheryl Soon and featuring a host of other Wallaroos.
Captain Cheryl Soon will lead the ‘Amazons’ which also stars Qantas Wallabies fly half Matt Giteau’s sister, Kristy.

In all, twenty six men’s teams and nine women’s teams will be in action over the weekend as they chase $A65,000 in prize money.

“The biggest single coup for this year’s tournament is obviously the participation of the Kenyan side which has in many ways compensated for the disappointment of not having the Samoan Barbarians defend their title,” said Brian Anderson, Secretary of NT Rugby.

“This and the continued appearance of strong Fijian Teams ensures the Tournament will again be a successful one.

“The NT Rugby Union is hoping their participation will be followed by success in Wellington which may then prompt some Northern Hemisphere Unions to see the Darwin Tournament as a solid preparation for the IRB event," added Anderson.