Dallen Stanford Previews the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Hamilton
This is the 22nd edition of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in New Zealand
©Mike Lee - KLC fotos for World Rugby
With the sevens world descending upon Hamilton, New Zealand, this weekend, HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series commentator Dallen Stanford has previewed the last leg of competition and looked towards this weekend.
With nearly six weeks having passed since Samoa stunned us all at Cape Town Stadium in the men’s competition to win the leg, while New Zealand’s women set themselves up for their home leg with a 31-14 win over Australia in the Cup Final, the result levelling the two nations at the top of the women’s standings.
“What a battle we had on our hands between the old rivals who know each other so well,” Stanford told TRU. “New Zealand were able to deny Australia the possession and space they usually create and bounced back in Africa to level the Series.
“USA were consistent in claiming their second bronze this season over Ireland, and it will be interesting to see which other country can reach the Cup Finals this year.”
New Zealand’s men were beaten Cup finalists in December, Samoa edging past them 12-7 in the showpiece finale and find themselves as joint leaders of the World Series alongside South Africa, who found themselves beaten by the USA in the Bronze Final in their own backyard.
“Samoa showed the form that won them the Series way back in 2010, when they entertained the fans at Cape Town Stadium in the Mother City,” Stanford said.
“They’re one of my favourite teams as they play the game with so much passion, are so physical on defence and have game breakers in every position. Their Cup Final win over New Zealand in torrential rain showcased their togetherness as a group, putting Samoa sevens back in the headlines.
“The USA Eagles impressed me with a hard fought victory to claim bronze against hosts, South Africa. I have a special mention for crossover athlete David Still, who produced so many sublime moments after picking up a rugby ball for the first time in 2021.”
A long goodbye
It was confirmed at the start of the new World Series season that from the new season there would be significant changes. This included the reduction of legs in the competition, the 10 stages of the season set to be reduced to seven.
“New Zealand has a special place in my heart,” Stanford said. “The people are so friendly, kind and easy to get along with. Plus, it’s where I made my Series debut for the USA in 2007.
“It will be a poignant weekend, with this likely to be the 22nd and final Series event in Aotearoa – as far as I know – with next year taking us to seven cities instead of 10.
“Over the years, New Zealand has offered us some fantastic memories and we have witnessed 18 brilliant tournaments in Wellington, as well as three in Hamilton. This beautiful country as a Series stop will be missed.”
World Rugby announced their “reimagination” of the Sevens World Series in November, the changes made with the hope of expanding the competition’s fanbase while increasing revenues in the long-term.
Intrigue in Hamilton
As ever, the Pool stages are nothing short of stacked. After their surprise victory in Cape Town, Samoa’s men are in Pool A with Fiji, France and Kenya.
Fiji’s placed best in Hong Kong when they lost to Australia in the Cup Final, France similarly having fond memories of the first leg of the new season with their Bronze, where they overcame Samoa.
New Zealand are in Pool B with Great Britain, New Zealand and Tonga, which may well be the toughest group of them all.
GB bagged their best finish to date last time out with their efforts in South Africa while Australia are last season’s winners and Tonga are a constant threat.
Pool C is comprised of the USA, Uruguay, Ireland and Japan, while Pool D sees South Africa, Argentina, Spain and Canada lumped together.
“The pool draw isn’t what I am concerned about,” Stanford said. “It’s the crossover that lurks like a shark in dark waters. Teams like Argentina and South Africa will likely crossover with Samoa and Fiji in the quarterfinals, and I would not be surprised if the South Pacific Island nations battle it out in the Cup Final.
“Look out for the Ireland vs Uruguay pool fixture, which was won by the South Americans in Cape Town. Australia are such a quality outfit, and a top eight finish for Great Britain is on the line.”
While there have only been two legs so far of the new women’s World Rugby Sevens Series season, there is already a title race in full flow. Australia and New Zealand have met each other in each Cup Final so far, while the USA have picked up consecutive third-place finishes.
France and Ireland are in hot pursuit, but it would take a big weekend in Hamilton and across the rest of the season to see them make further strides up the standings.
It will be hard for each of the European nations, with France in Pool B with Australia, Canada and Japan, while Ireland must contend with the USA, Ireland, Brazil and Spain.
Pool A is comprised of New Zealand, Great Britain, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, the home nation set to see a return for a 2021 Rugby World Cup winning hero.
“The hosts are bolstered by the return of World Cup winner Stacey Fluhler, who was outstanding for the Black Ferns,” Stanford said. “Expect another New Zealand and Australia Cup Final, with both eager to impress at home this weekend and next week in Sydney.”
