SVNS watch: All Blacks Sevens pair retain spot for New Zealand U20

The offseason of the HSBC SVNS World Series has seen stars travel to new competitions in India and Japan, and preparation build for the new competition that is Ultimate Sevens.

However, with the longer format of the game in full swing with the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia, the Nations Championship and Nations Cup about to commence, and domestic tournaments worldwide still going, there are plenty of places where sevens stars are shining.

RugbyPass breaks down several key tournaments where sevens stars are currently delivering big results, and who you should keep an eye out for across the next few weeks.

U20s World Championship

The opening weekend of the U20s World Championship saw big statement wins by South Africa, Argentina and Australia in their respective pool games, while the likes of hosts Georgia, Japan, England and France also impressed.

New Zealand U20s overcame a determined Japan 38-21 in their first match of the tournament, bolstered by sevens Kele Lasaqa on the wing and Bradley Tocker at blindside flanker, the latter getting a try for his efforts.

Both have retained their positions for their side’s second clash against Scotland.

In Pool A, the Junior Springboks blasted away Uruguay 104-7, with Blitzbok Luan Giliomee having a busy afternoon, kicking three conversations and setting up several tries for the defending champions.

Off the back of his performance, Giliomee is set to be moved closer to the action for his side’s second match against hosts Georgia, being named at flyhalf.

Uruguay will look to bounce back in their second match against Wales, with sevens utility Joaquin Fresnedo set to wear the outside centre jersey for the South American nation.

Lastly, in Pool D, breakout Aussie 7s star Wallace Charlie is set to earn his first start of the campaign, shifting into the fullback jersey for Australia’s clash with Fiji, after he came off the bench in his side’s 90-22 thumping of Spain in their opening match.

World Rugby Nations Cup

While Nations Championship sides are still being unveiled ahead of the first weekend of action, the Nations Cup sides have already welcomed a large amount of sevens players into their teams.

Kick off, Spain has welcomed in the likes of Jeremy Trevithick and Jaime Manteca among an impressive squad, as the side will take on Canada, Tonga and the United States in their opening three rounds of the new tournament.

The Uruguay national side meanwhile, will welcome Joaquín Suárez, Juan Gonzalez and Ignacio Rodriguez back into their national squad, the three stars having recently featured during their end-of-year test matches as they prepare for a difficult campaign against Georgia, Romania and Hong Kong China.

Taunu’u Niulevaea and Va’a Apelu Maliko will headline a healthy contingent of sevens stars for Samoa, who will play across Chile and Uruguay as they take on Hong Kong China, Georgia and Romania.

Lastly, Tonga will also boast several sevens alumni, from former Tongan 7s star Fine Inisi to former All Blacks 7s star Tima Fainga?anuku, as they prepare for matches against Zimbabwe, Spain and Portugal.

Super Rugby Women’s

The final week of regular season action of Super Rugby Women’s is set to see an abundance of sevens talent push for honours, with multiple NextGen sevens stars featuring across all the Australian sides.

The Waratahs will be without both Aussie 7s stars Tia Hinds and Piper Simons this week, but will have the services of Australia A Sevens alumni Amelia Whittaker, the star having had a strong season so far in the longer format.

Their opposition, the Reds, will also welcome Whittaker’s Australia A teammate Ava Wereta into the centres, who will partner with Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, who will maker her first start of the year after joining the Reds campaign last week in their loss to the Drua.

Down in Canberra, the Brumbies will be looking to secure their semi final place with four NextGen sevens stars named in their side to face the Force, being well bolstered by the strong form of Spanish sevens star Anne Fernandez de Corres, who has had a stranglehold on the nine jersey.

The Force, fresh off an historic win over the Waratahs, will have plenty of sevens firepower to call on in the back three, with Fiji 7s star Adi Vani Buleki and Australia Youth Sevens alumni turned recent Wallaroo Brooklyn Teki-Joyce serving as back three weapons.

Super Rugby Aupiki

Finally, Super Rugby Aupiki has seen a strong injection of Black Ferns 7s stars into the competition, with the nine contracted starts across the four franchises already making a big splash as the season crosses the halfway mark.

Matat? has been riding high at the top of the table, thanks in no small part to the Black ferns combo of Maia Davis and Alena Saili in the back three, with both starting in their side’s 27-21 win over the Blues last weekend.

The women from Auckland have plenty of talent of their own, with an all sevens back three in Katelynn Vahaakolo and Jaymie Kolose on the wing, the latter scoring her second try of the season, while Braxton Sorensen-McGee enjoyed a strong game off the kicking tee and at fullback.

Chiefs Manawa remain the only side without a win, however it has not been for lack of effort with two close losses to the Blues and Poua, with Manaia Nuku scoring a stry and starting at fullback, partnering with fellow sevens player Justine McGregor.

The Poua snapped a 12 game losing streak with their 34-29 win over the weekend over Manawa, with Keelah Bolde coming off the bench to hold out a fast finishing Chiefs side.