HSBC World 7s Series: Seven players to watch in Dubai
Thursday 3 December 2015 16:37, UK
It's the opening weekend of the HSBC 7s World Series and Sky Sports will be showing you all the action from the men's and women's tournaments in Dubai, with the action kicking off at 4.50am on Sky Sports 3.
Here we look at seven players looking to make an impact for their country on the road to the Rio Olympics next year...
Dan Norton (England)
Dan Norton's 7s success dates back to a successful debut in Wellington in 2009, and since then he has proven himself a try-scoring necessity in the England line-up.
He bagged the winning try in England's success over New Zealand in the final of the 2009 London 7s as he built a reputation with ball in hand and has not shown any loss of the pace that first made him famous.
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Now one of the more senior members of the squad, Norton has developed into an all-round star on the circuit and will be central to the campaign of Simon Amor's men.
Portia Woodman (New Zealand)
Woodman comes into the Dubai 7s just a few weeks after being named 2015 Women's 7s Player of the Year.
Woodman halted her top-level netball career with the Northern Mystics to join the New Zealand Women's 7s programme and her form suggests it was a good decision.
Woodman's pedigree is not altogether surprising, given her father and uncle played for the All Blacks in the 1980s, but still her rise to top points scorer on the Women's circuit is impressive given her short time in the game.
The Kiwi's turn of pace from a standing start is what makes her so difficult for defenders to contain.
Augustine Pulu (New Zealand)
Chiefs half-back Pulu is uncapped for New Zealand in the short format of the game, but has already proven himself a vital fixture in the Kiwi squad.
"He's a fine rugby player," said New Zealand 7s coach Gordon Tietjens. "He's come on in leaps and bounds in the time he has been with us. The improvement has been immense this week.
"He's got very good vision. He's quick off the mark. He's quick to spot a gap.
"He's going to keep teams honest and he's very strong and physical."
Carlin Isles (USA)
The Super Rugby star has set his sights on the Rio Olympics and will be hoping to cement his place in the United States squad with strong performances.
In a Q&A with Sky Sports late last year, USA 7s coach Mike Friday spoke about the need to educate a fresh-faced Carlin Isles in the ways of rugby union.
"He is quick and brave in defence but we have worked with him on being more effective on and off the ball for himself and for his team-mates," said Friday.
"He is embracing this education; he's humble and loves learning so we are hoping that he will kick on this season."
Isles has done exactly that as he flourished from a player with raw pace who was dangerous in attack to a player capable of creating the space that makes others a threat.
Defences are finding it harder and harder to contain the sprinter, who will be a heavy feature in the US' quest for silverware.
Werner Kok (South Africa)
Kok was crowned World Rugby 7s Player of the year, beating team-mate Seabelo Senatla as well as Fijian Semi Kunatani to the accolade.
The 22-year-old is the second South African to win the award after Cecil Afrika won it in 2011.
He was a key factor in helping the Blitzboks finish second in last season's standings and gain automatic qualification for the Rio Olympics.
He made his international 7s debut in 2013 and was part of the team that won gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Emily Scarratt (England)
Scarratt will captain England Women in the opening round of the World 7s and is looking to build on her achievements in the more traditional format of the game.
Scarratt scored 16 points, including a try, as England beat Canada 21-9 in the World Cup final in Paris last year.
The centre's ability with ball in hand converts well into the 7s format, where she draws defences towards her with strong running, freeing up space for attackers out wide.
Tom Kingston (Australia)
Kingston flirted with a full-time stint in 7s five years ago but opted instead to sign for 2014 Super Rugby champions the Waratahs.
The winger has since revisited the switch to the smaller format, and is now excited by the prospect of featuring on the world stage for his country.
"I sort of felt that there was potential that my skills would work well in the 7s format and obviously in such a great group with such a massive carrot at the end of the year," said Kingston.
"The guys are all really good movers and really good athletes but also their skills, their contact work, their passing and stepping is top notch.
"You don't necessarily find that in Super Rugby or 15-a-side rugby, because guys have their own skill set that they're really, really good at, whereas in 7s you can't actually be deficient in any area."
