Key contests: Six pool matches to watch at SVNS New York

The forthcoming World Championships hangs over the final leg of the HSBC SVNS Series this weekend, as the eight teams in both the men’s and women’s competitions battle it out to try and prep their finals run for Hong Kong.

The makeup of the pool stages is set to be one of the most intriguing following several surprise results in Vancouver, with third-place finishes up for grabs in both competitions.

RugbyPass breaks down the first day of action in the Big Apple, and singles out six key pool fixtures that could turn the entire ladder on its head.

Australia Women vs USA Women – Pool B

With the Trans-Tasman rivals once again separated by the pool stages, the final fixture of day one looms as one of the biggest of the weekend.

Australia will look to top Pool B, while the USA, with the home crowd behind them, will look to try and lock in a third-place finish on the overall ladder.

Given Australia has slipped up in key fixtures before against the likes of the USA and Canada, facing both in the pool stages of New York will give ample opportunity for the chasing pack to spring a surprise.

Fiji Men vs Argentina Men – Pool B

The men’s schedule will see four of the top five sides doing battle in Pool A, meaning the current ladder leaders Fiji, will have an opportunity to prep well for day two in Pool B.

However, one big fixture will see them face Argentina in the first match of the weekend, who dominated the regular season last year before finishing fourth in the grand final, and who currently sit in sixth after a massive turnover of new blood this year.

However, given that the Pumas Men Sevens have managed a podium finish in Cape Town, there is plenty of talent in their side that could spring a surprise on the Flying Fijians.

New Zealand Women vs France Women – Pool A

New Zealand will be heavy favourites going into New York, and should be expected to top the table with their first fixtures against the two teams at the bottom of the ladder, Fiji and Great Britain.

However, the key fixture of Pool A is their final match against France, with Les Bleus currently jostling for a third-place finish with hosts the USA.

The French have managed two podium finishes in Cape Town and Perth, but will have to produce something special in the pools to set up their best chance to secure bronze overall.

South Africa Men vs New Zealand Men – Pool A

Pool A will be a tense affair as four of the top five sides in the men’s competition face off, but the battle between rivals South Africa and New Zealand is the lynch pin fixture for the entire pool.

A South Africa loss opens the door for Fiji to top the ladder, while a New Zealand loss opens the door for Australia and France to capitalise.

Add to that the classic rivalry between the two rugby-mad nations, and you’ve got a critical fixture on your hands.

USA Women vs Canada Women – Pool B

Speaking of rivalries, the North American derby looms in Pool B, as the USA will look to see off rivals Canada as both sides chase Australia to top the pool.

The corresponding fixture in Vancouver saw the US run out 40-7 winners, and the Canadians will be determined to hand out some revenge on American soil, especially with such a historic match in the union’s largest city.

Throw in both sides also into contention for a third-place finish on the ladder, and the result is a game that is sure to get plenty of local support.

Australia Men vs France Men – Pool A

With so much riding on the result between South Africa and New Zealand in Pool A, the winner of Australia and France will, conversely, be best positioned to mount a late charge.

Sitting in fourth and fifth, respectively, both sides will focus their energy on their respective New Zealand fixtures to try to catch the Kiwis.

The winner of this match, should they also defeat the Kiwis, will be in the running for finals, and should New Zealand collapse as they did in Vancouver, both sides will be primed to usurp them on the overall ladder and claim third place heading into Hong Kong.