By Nigel Starmer-Smith
New stars appear, old ones keep shining - here are seven Sevens specialists tipped by TV commentator Nigel Starmer-Smith to dazzle you in Wellington and San Diego.
1. BEN GOLLINGS (England)
There could be no bigger boost to England's chances of recapturing former glories than the return to the fray of the world's top point-scoring performer, 27-year-old Ben Gollings.
In Sevens rugby size - or the lack of it - is less of an obstacle to success and over seven seasons Ben, along with former England captain Simon Amor, created the greatest half-back partnership the game has ever known. All 5 foot 6 and 5 foot 5 inches of them respectively!
As with all the best exponents, it is that combination of an instinctive understanding of the art of sevens combined with ball-handling skills and sheer speed of thought and action that sets Ben apart. Since first appearing in an England jersey in Paris in 2000, his 143 tries and 449 successful goal-kicks in 40 tournaments have brought him the highest points tally in history, not to mention Cup triumphs in Hong Kong (4), LA, London, Brisbane, George and Dubai.
Since Cornishman 'Rocco' Gollings departed the Sevens scene after George 2006 for the 15-a-side game in Australia, England and Japan, England's IRB Sevens Champion's title challenge has wilted. His recall to the Westpac Stadium, Wellington - where England have never won – might just change all that.
2. ISRAEL DAGG (New Zealand)
From 'old-hand' to novitiate! I first saw Israel Dagg as an 18-year-old, part of New Zealand's squad at the 2007 IRB Under 19 World Championship in Belfast. Only a dislocated shoulder denied him a place in the World Championship-winning team in the Final at full-back - as red-booted Trent Renata, another exciting player, switched from fly-half to take over the number 15 shirt.
There is no shrewder Sevens' coach around than Gordon Tietjens. He identifies the potential of players at a young age, plucks them out of Age Grade rugby and gradually immerses them in the maximum exposure of the game in which there is no hiding place - where talent gets free expression, but discipline reigns and where basically you sink or swim. So now Israel follows close behind the likes of Liam Messam, Hosea Gear, Victor Vito and a whole host before them, on their seemingly inevitable path to senior All Black status.
Watch out for this youngest of recruits - a well-built 6 feet 1 inch, 14-and-a-half stone running full back/centre/wing, who hails from Hawkes Bay Magpies and who will not be 20 until June. His pre-Christmas initiation in Dubai and subsequent performance in George, where he scored 7 tries (including all three versus France) gave promise of great deeds to come.
3. FABIEN JURIES (South Africa)
Another returning hero, whose earlier recall to the Springbok line-up was thwarted by repeated injury troubles. Fabien was THE star of the IRB Sevens three and four years ago - top try-scorer in 2004 and Player of the Series in 04/05. Slight of frame, but imbued with superb pace, his beautifully balanced running action is a joy to behold when he's in full flight - which is quite often!
And now he's back for his 35th tournament, six years on from his first appearances under coach Chester Williams in 2001/02, and he is a key asset in the new centrally-contracted squad which has a permanent training base in Stellenbosch. Paul Treu's charges will undoubtedly be in the hunt for forthcoming titles and, given his return to form - he scored seven tries in George - the near misses of last year and this season (losing to New Zealand 7-12 in the Dubai semi and 12-21 to Fiji at home), could soon turn to triumph for a first title since Dubai 2006.
4. EMOSI VUCAGO (Fiji)
The pressure's on for Fiji. Two titles only last season, the last in Adelaide, and twice runners-up this. Not acceptable to the fanatical home and visiting supporters! But in the wake of the departure of The Legend - Serevi - (still at 40 plying his Sevens trade in the colours of the South Sea Drifters and, winning in Dubai and Darwin) and his alter ego William Ryder (who has returned to Jo Savou's 'wider' Fiji squad), there is a fresh look to the revised line-up.
Three new players who shone in the BP National 7s tournament in Lautoka are, I'm told, very talented with Malakai Bakaniceva a real 'flyer' - but for my money the guy who may turn the tide Fiji's way is a relatively newcomer of eight tournaments only, Emosi Vucago.
A 24-year-old scrum-half from national champions Nadroga, he's another small, smart operator and lightning quick like Gollings. He shone in Dubai with eight tries and might have made all the difference to the outcome of the final in George but for injury. He is the fulcrum, the catalyst, similar to New Zealand's Nigel Hunt. This time, with him, they might just succeed.
5. TAL SELLEY (Wales)
Former player Gareth Baber takes over the reigns as Wales coach from the highly successful Dai Rees, but as one key figure departs so another returns - in this case Tal Selley.
One of the principal architects of Wales rejuvenation and silverware success in the last two seasons, Selley helped Wales to eight consecutive titles at Shield, Bowl or Plate level before reaching the semi final rounds in London and Edinburgh, where they beat Fiji to ultimately deny them the series crown.
Tal has proved himself a rough, tough opponent, leading from the front, more than a handful, strong and direct, and no slouch, providing the inspiration for the rest of the squad to reach new levels of achievement.
Without the 27-year-old Osprey in Dubai and George - and Rhodri McAtee too - Wales seemed to lack that drive and determination. He might just be the person to revive those pinnacle moments of last season that saw Wales beat England 22-0 at Twickenham and Fiji 21-14 at Murrayfield.
6. ALAFOTI FA'OSILIVA (Samoa)
For the very first time Samoa defend a title, for it was a year ago that they stood on the Cup-winners' rostrum in Wellington. An epic final, victory over Fiji 17-14 you may recall, a triumph that brought messages from the Prime Minister and had the population dancing in the streets with a national holiday awarded in celebration!
How things can change and a year later Samoa are ruing their most recent performance, in George, where they lost to the USA in the Plate semi final, 19-24. Samoa had a cruel injury list and even now are still missing key ball-winners like Meafou, Senio and Iosua (all seriously injured) and Treviranus (now playing profesionally in Ireland).
But the good news is that Mikaele Pesamino, Uale Mai - the cornerstone of the outfit set to equal Amasio Valence Raoma's record 50 appearances in San Diego - and Lolo Lui will all be there, plus another fresh talent who was THE rookie of Dubai and George in December - Fa'osiliva.
Into the maelstrom and emerging with 14 tries on your debut is going some - all the signs are that this 23-year old is a prodigious talent, who hails from the Afega club in the capital Apia. Strong, long-striding and a real hope that he will inspire their return to the top - their title defence will provide all the inspiration they may have lacked until now.
7. SANTIAGO GOMEZ CORA (Argentina)
Fresh from winning the South American Sevens championship in Punta del Este, I sense that the Pumas may once again be on the prowl. The trouble with Argentina is that you never know what to expect - neither in terms of what squad will turn up or how well they will perform.
Inspiration seems to be everything - fickle would perhaps seem too harsh - but heads go up or down in a flash. The Doctor specialising in orthopaedics, Pablo Gomez Cora, seems to have lost his edge and given away key status in the squad to his younger brother Santiago, 29, who is revelling in his record IRB Sevens try-scoring feats, now some 33 ahead of all-comers with 177.
He can be a devastating match-winner and, like brother Pablo, has often been just that. Superbly quick, gritty, persistent, a terrier at your heels and powerful in defence, it's just that he - like the team - can be hero or villain in one day. With his 46th tournament in the offing, you'd have thought we would have been able to make things a bit more predictable by now! Whatever, he's a teriffic player, a difficult opponent for anyone and ensures that, like Sevens itself, you never know what's in store!
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