Hong Kong Sevens: Final squad news
(IRB.COM) Thursday 27 March 2014
Two tries in Hong Kong will make Kenya's Collins Injera the third-highest try-scorer in IRB Sevens rugby
The final
squads have been declared by all 28 teams - 16 in the main Cup draw and
12 in the World Series qualifier - set to compete at the Cathay Pacific
/ HSBC Hong Kong Sevens on 28-30 March.
Here
we round up the squad ins and outs among the core teams since last
weekend in Tokyo, and provide full details of all 28 squads.
Pool A - FJI, KEN, WAL, SLK
Defending tournament champions Fiji make
two changes from the side that won in Tokyo last weekend, with Joeli
Lutumailagi and Samu Saqiwa replacing Jasa Veremalua and Leo Naikasau.
Kenya
name an unchanged squad from Tokyo, leaving vice captain Collins Injera
on the verge of overtaking South Africa Sevens great Fabian Juries to
become the third-highest try scorer in the history of the Series.
Currently Juries is on 179, one ahead of Injera. Ben Gollings (220) and
Santiago Gomez Cora (230) are next in Injera's sights.
Influential playmaker Lee Williams returns for Wales
alongside Will Thomas, who has also recovered from injury. The pair
replace the injured Rhys Jones and Owen Jenkins, who misses out on
selection.
"It's great to have Lee back in
the side – he hasn't played since picking up an injury over Christmas
and he will take over the captaincy from James Davies,” said Wales
Sevens head coach Gareth Williams.
Asia's third-ranked side Sri Lanka name eight debutants at this level.
Pool B - RSA, AUS, FRA, ESP
Former IRB Sevens Player of the Year Cecil Afrika has returned to the South Africa
squad. Afrika, who has now recovered fully from a hamstring niggle,
replaces Steven Hunt and his addition will further strengthen the
Blitzboks in the crucial positions of flyhalf and sweeper. South
Africa lead the Series heading into round seven, having made five
consecutive finals.
“It’s great to have Cecil
back because he was in very good form before his injury. It is
unfortunate that Steven Hunt has to make way, but Cecil is a very
important player for us. He will assist Branco (du Preez) and Justin
(Geduld) in the key positions of playmaker and sweeper, which are
important attacking positions,” said coach, Neil Powell.
Australia
coach Michael O'Connor has called up Paul Asquith to replace Allan
Fa'alava'au for the tournament in So Kon Po. Fa'alava'au has flown back
to Australia to undergo surgery on the shoulder he first hurt in
Wellington, round five of the Series, and has been ruled out for the
remainder of this season.
"I'm really
looking forward to Hong Kong," said head coach O'Connor. "I love this
tournament, but sadly it will be my last opportunity as head coach of
the Australian team to lift a trophy that has eluded us for almost a
quarter of a century."
France bring in Brian Dimeck and Leo Ghirard in place of Julien Jane and Steeve Barry, while Spain are unchanged from Tokyo.
Pool C - ENG, CAN, ARG, POR
England
name an unchanged squad from Tokyo, which means that forward James
Rodwell earns his 50th Sevens cap, having made the squad for 50
consecutive events.
After finishing in the top eight at last weekend’s the Tokyo Sevens, Canada
have strengthened for Hong Kong by replacing Tokyo debutant Jake
Webster with experienced half back Phil Mack. As part of their
preparations, Canada also coached over 100 children in Hong Kong -
photos at facebook.com/RugbyCanada.
Argentina are without Lucas Alcacer but do not name a replacement, so go into the tournament with 11 players, while Portugal bring in proven try-scorer Duarte Moreira in the place of Manuel Vilela.
Pool D - NZL, USA, SCO, SAM
New Zealand are unchanged for Hong Kong, meaning that Gillies Kaka has recovered from the knock that hampered him in Tokyo.
USA are also unchanged from the side that reached a first Cup quarter-final of the season in Japan.
Scotland make
three changes from Tokyo and are bolstered by the inclusion of three
Glasgow Warriors players. Forward James Eddie, Mark Bennett and Lee
Jones are involved, replacing Joseva Nayacavou, Neil Herron and Alex
Glashan.
“We’re delighted to bring in Lee and
Mark who have been involved on the circuit this season already and
James, who was one of our first Scotland Sevens professionals before
moving back to the XV-a-side game. In Tokyo we were disappointed, so I
have selected a squad that I think can put in the performances we
require this weekend. Selection was hard as everyone has trained well,
but having an extended squad has been very helpful."
Samoa are unchanged, Levi Asifa'amatala their most experienced player with 23 events in an otherwise relatively novice squad.
IRB Sevens: 'Club 50'
Uale Mai, Sam - 79 tournaments
Ben Gollings, Eng - 70
DJ Forbes, NZ - 64*
Lote Raikabula, NZ - 63*
Santiago Gomez Cora, Arg - 61
Tomasi Cama, NZ - 59*
Frankie Horne, SA - 57*
Andrew Turnbull, Sco - 55*
Horace Otieno, Ken - 54*
Humphrey Kayange, Ken - 53*
Simaika Mikaele, Sam - 53
Lavin Asego, Ken - 50*
Amasio Raoma, NZ - 50
James Rodwell, Eng - 50*
* still active on Series
Uale Mai, Sam - 79 tournaments
Ben Gollings, Eng - 70
DJ Forbes, NZ - 64*
Lote Raikabula, NZ - 63*
Santiago Gomez Cora, Arg - 61
Tomasi Cama, NZ - 59*
Frankie Horne, SA - 57*
Andrew Turnbull, Sco - 55*
Horace Otieno, Ken - 54*
Humphrey Kayange, Ken - 53*
Simaika Mikaele, Sam - 53
Lavin Asego, Ken - 50*
Amasio Raoma, NZ - 50
James Rodwell, Eng - 50*
* still active on Series
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