As South Africa’s Philip Snyman, Kenya’s Collins Injera and Scotland’s Scott Riddell prepare to make a hat-trick of appearances at the RWC Sevens, we take a look at all the latest squad news from the 24 competing nations.
SOUTH AFRICA (SEEDED 1)
Captain Philip Snyman is set to complete an unprecedented hat-trick of appearances for South Africa at the Rugby World Cup Sevens having appeared in the 2009 and 2013 editions. The rest of the squad are all new to this level but were part of the Blitzboks’ world series-winning campaign in 2018.
Kyle Brown, Cecil Afrika, Chris Dry and Seabelo Senatla (injury) and Kwagga Smith (Super Rugby) are key absentees but Rosko Specman and Selvyn Davids return from injury to bolster the top seeds.
“I am pleased with the squad,” said coach Neil Powell. “We do not have the greatest of records in this tournament, but that said, we know we will be a very competitive team if we play to our strengths and within our game plan. It is exciting times for all of us and we are ready to do our best for our country.”
Squad: Ryan Oosthuizen, Philip Snyman (captain), Dylan Sage, Zain Davids, Werner Kok, Heino Bezuidenhout, Dewald Human, Rosko Specman, Justin Geduld, Selvyn Davids, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Ruhan Nel.
FIJI (SEEDED 2)
Jerry Tuwai captains a Fiji squad oozing with talent as the Pacific Islanders look to become the first side to collect a hat-trick of Rugby World Cup Sevens titles.
Former NRL star Semi Radradra, who made his 15s debut for Fiji in June’s successful World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup campaign, is one of many headline acts selected by coach Gareth Baber.
Radradra’s fellow France-based professional and European Player of the Year Leone Nakarawa is joined by four other players who helped Fiji win gold at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Tuwai, Jasa Veremalua, Vatemo Ravouvou and Josua Tuisova. Meanwhile, Nakarawa and Veremalua are the only players of the 12 to return from the last Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in 2013.
Squad: Alosio Naduva, Amenoni Nasilasila, Jasa Veremalua, Jerry Tuwai (captain), Josua Tuisova, Kalioni Nasoko, Leone Nakarawa, Paula Dranisinikula, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Semi Kunatani, Semi Radradra, Vatemo Ravouvou.
NEW ZEALAND (SEEDED 3)
Defending champions New Zealand name a squad containing only two survivors from their triumph five years ago in Moscow. Captain Tim Mikkelson is joined by Kurt Baker from the class of 2013 as the All Blacks Sevens look to counter the unavailability of the likes of Joe Webber and Vilimoni Koroi.
Among the less experienced players, versatile Salesi Rayasi, who can play on the wing or in the forwards, and Jona Nareki forced their way into the squad after impressing in the concluding round of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Paris. Joe Ravouvou is expected to provide the main firepower having top-scored for New Zealand on the series with 28 tries.
“No team has ever won back-to-back World Cup titles since it’s started so we have certainly talked about that and about being the first team to change that. We know there are massive challenges to come, all the teams will be really well prepared,” said coach Clark Laidlaw.
Squad: Kurt Baker, Dylan Collier, Scott Curry (captain), Trael Joass, Andrew Knewstubb, Jona Nareki, Tim Mikkelson (captain), Sione Molia, Salesi Rayasi, Joe Ravouvou, Akuila Rokolisoa, Regan Ware.
ENGLAND (SEEDED 4)
England name 10 bronze medallists from the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and six players who represented Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games where they secured silver. Tom Mitchell will captain the team in what will be his second Rugby World Cup Sevens after he, Mike Ellery, all-time leading series try scorer Dan Norton and England’s most-capped player James Rodwell reached the final at Moscow 2013.
The experienced outfit is complemented with two members of the England Sevens academy squad: Will Edwards and Will Muir, who has recently joined the England Sevens programme after graduating from Northumbria University.
“We’ve selected a very exciting team for the Rugby World Cup Sevens,” said England coach Simon Amor. “There have been some outstanding performances across the board recently and this is backed up by the team’s consistency. Achieving five podium finishes since the Commonwealth Games demonstrates that we’re in a good place going into this World Cup.”
Squad: Phil Burgess, Alex Davis, Richard de Carpentier, Will Edwards, Mike Ellery, Harry Glover, Ollie Lindsay-Hague, Ruaridh McConnochie, Tom Mitchell (captain), Will Muir, Dan Norton, James Rodwell.
Courtesy of World Rugby