NZ Women’s Sevens team stunned by Russian Federation in Dubai

“With HSBC reaffirming their commitment to the game as series title sponsors, and DHL also coming in as global partners, the stage is set for a fantastic few days here in Dubai and a very exciting sevens season ahead for both the men’s and women’s game”.

Elsewhere series champions Fiji have one debutant in Sevuloni Mocenacagi as Ben Ryan includes many familiar names from the winning champions including Jerry Tuwai, Savenaca Rawaca, Isake Kotanibau and captain Osea Kolinisau.

Fiji posted three wins to finish atop Pool B and will face France in the quarter-finals. “We’re looking forward to backing the team throughout the tournament, and more importantly we’re proud to be helping the Foundation in its work to raise awareness of MND”.

It would be nice to suggest New Zealand were unlucky to lose their pool decider against Russian Federation, but the truth is the rugged Europeans produced one of their finest performances and deserved their win.

As a result the Kiwi team have qualified for the quarter-finals but will face arch-rivals Australia to keep their tournament hopes alive.

South Africa have named 35-cap Springbok Francois Hougaard and Juan de Jongh for the first two legs in Dubai and home soil in Cape Town next week.

Ireland are back on the world sevens circuit after being absent for the 2014/15 campaign, and impressed by beating the United States – who placed fifth in the series last season – thanks to tries from Ali Miller and Louise Galvin.

The All Blacks were third overall last time out and long-serving coach Gordon Tietjens has selected 14 players with Waikato Chiefs half-back Augustine Pulu in line for his debut. “There’s always been pressure on anybody that’s involved in the Fiji sevens team, due to their iconic legacy that they’ve been given from previous teams, [and] now that we’re back on top we intend on staying there”.