The Amsterdam Sevens is in it’s 41st year and the organizers have put together the best possible womens field just one week after the final IRB World Series event in London

Organisers have made the matches available from their YouTube channel.

The teams include

• World champions England
• Twickenham runners up the Netherlands
• Hong Kong runners up Australia
• Canada
• United States
• South Africa

Womens sevens seems to have advanced more than 15-a-side.

The emergence of the women’s IRB Championship, the lower cost of maintaining a smaller team and the different athletic requirements all seem to have contributed to the increasing numbers and increasing standard.

15-a-side rugby has extremely specialised playing positions that are suited to particular body shapes (front row, second row). Sevens involves physical specimens but the appeal is broader and opens up the pool considerably.

New Zealand’s coach Sean Horan is counting on this aspect as he trawls other sporting ranks for potential sevens talent. Netball is the main sport for women in New Zealand. Horan believes that netball fitness, ball skills an physique could be directed to rugby. There is also a lot of touch rugby in New Zealand that may provide players for their Olympic program.

There is another women’s sevens event this weekend in Italy. The Roma Sevens features Russia, Khazakstan, the Ukraine, a New Zealand team and another South African side.

Women’s sevens is exciting and truly global. There is only going to be more of it over the next 4 years.

Bring it on!

The Carlton Super Sevens began in Sri Lanka in 2009 as a way to increase the profile of sevens rugby in the country and it has grown in stature every year

This year each team is made up of a combination of local players, local under 21 players and 3-4 international players.

The event is a 2-leg competition with two 2-day tournaments with a week in between (similar to how the IRB World Series events are organised):

• Kandy – May 26-27
• Columbo – June 2-3

The Carlton Super Sevens was held in October last year and they have either moved the timing or are planning on a second event this year.

The timing of the second series will be interesting with the IRB World Sevens Series starting in mid October on the Gold Coast.

So if the biggest stars are to return, you would think they will work around this.

The event is testament to the increasing profile of sevens rugby and the increasing sponsorship resource that is promoting it.

There is a big sevens event being organised in South Africa in mid-December where Sonny-Bill Williams will lineup alongside Quade Cooper and Shane Williams.

[I wanted to see Sonny-Bill play sevens when he first arrived back in New Zealand]

There is a lot of talk about other professional tournaments in the wings.

The next tier of sevens play – outside of the IRB’s World Series – is going to be an interesting landscape, especially in the first 2-3 years as things settle.

Carlton Super Sevens

This is a 10 team event based on local franchises.

Last years winners were the Central Kings who had a strong North Harbour influence with Zar Lawrence and Ben Botica playing and Geoff Alley coaching.

This year the list of international players is dominated by New Zealanders.

12 of the World Series winning squad will be playing, including:

• Lote Raikabula (Western Warriors)
• Frank Halai, Joe Webber (North Western Blacks)
• Tomasi Cama, Tim Mikkelson, Charles Piutau, D.J. Forbes (Uwa Vipers)
• Jack Wilson, Bryce Heem, Mark Jackman, Johnathan Malo (Sabaragamuwa Stallions)

There are another 6 NZ-based players involved:
- Ex-internationals Zar Lawrence, Shane Christie, Ben Souness and Ed Coker
- Provincial play makers Nalu Tuigamala and Warwick Lahmert

There are also several stars from other teams in the IRB World Sevens Series

The coaching panel is mostly made up of New Zealanders also but England’s assistant, Russell Earnshaw is there – as is Australia’s Chris Roche.

Spain played their way into the top 15 sides for the 2012-2013 IRB World Sevens Series by making the final of the qualifier division at this year’s Hong Kong Sevens.

This was no mean feat. They beat ranked sides Zimbabwe, Tonga and Japan. The only team they lost to was Canada (in pool play and the final).

That means they will play in all 10 tournaments rather than the 3 they played in this season (London is their 3rd).

Spain’s arrival

Spain continued their rise with a convincing 22-7 upset over Wales.

It’s one thing to cause an upset but Sain needed to hold their nerve against Zimbabwe to finish second in Group C and earn their place in the Cup Quarter Finals.

In their first match against Fiji, they were 14-0 down after 5 minutes but they came out strongly in the second half, scoring first and hold Fiji scoreless until the final 12 seconds.

Despite the Pacific Islanders typically sluggish start, Spain earned the 19-5 scoreline.

Wales are out!

Wales currently sit in 7th place on the World Series table but they will be playing for minor prizes a the 2012 London Sevens.

They were not convincing against Zimbabwe in their first game (17-12) and then stumbled against Spain meaning they had to beat Fiji to make it into the Cup Quarter Finals (which they did not 43-7).

Wales are without their captain Richie Pugh – out with an injury suffered at the Japan Sevens and young speedster, Harry Robinson.

New Zealand have an 11 point lead over Fiji in the World Series with just one tournament to play.

Winning the cup is worth 22 points but series points are awarded at very small increments (i.e. 19 for second place, 17 for third) so it is very difficult to make up such a large amount.

No coach is ever going to admit that they got the best pool draw outcome but even the most one-eyed supporter would have to admin that the prospect of Argentina, Kenya and Russia is not the most daunting pool challenge at the 2012 England Sevens to a well prepared, well coached side with experience, talent and fire power.

That said, a (relatively) easy pool is still going to land you a quarter final against Samoa or England – and that is no easy prospect.

But in terms of the Series, the permutations are straight forward enough.

New Zealand have an 11 point advantage over Fiji on the table.

So Fiji need to make that up in one tournament to win the World Series

What will it take for Fiji to win the series?

With their draw, the Kiwis are likely to make it to the Cup quarter final stage (by finishing first or second in Pool A).

In the series, this is worth a minimum of 10 points because a loss in the Cup quarter final puts them into the Plate semi-final.

If the Kiwis were to be put out at that stage (the Plate semi-final) – thus netting 10 series points – then Fiji would need to win the cup to get the 12 points they need to win the Series.

Winning the Cup is worth 22 points.

This is the likely worst case senario for New Zealand.

Should New Zealand make the Plate final, then they will win the series because that would net them 12 points or 13 if they win the Plate.

On top of their 11 point advantage, that would make the margin 23 and winning the cup is only worth 22.

Going further than the Quarter final stage in the Cup will yield a minimum of 15 points and hence the Kiwis will win the series because the margin between finishing 4th in the Cup and winning the Cup is only 7 points and Fiji need 12 to win.

For New Zealand, the simple fact is – should they finish in 1st or 2nd place in their pool, they need to win only one more game to win the series.

Obviously it’s never over until the final whistle and no-one will be out to do the Kiwis any favours, least of all England, Samoa or Fiji (or South Africa or Australia for that matter).

Also, New Zealand don’t have a wonderful record at Twickenham.
- New Zealand have not won in London for 5 years (last cup win: 2007) and it was another 5 years before that since their previous victory
- NZ have a 3 from 11 record in London

Fiji were in devastating form
Even without the in-form Nikola Matawalu, Fiji were excellent. They have found a consistency that they have lacked in other years despite the huge personnel changes they seem to go through from one pairing of events to the next.

Metuisela Talebula and Waisea Nayacalevu have stepped up to join stalwarts Joeli Lutumailagi and Setefano Cakau.

Fiji were the only side not to be challenged on Day#1 as they comfortably dispatched Zimbabwe (40-0); Portugal (28-5) and Argentina (47-7).

England regroup and finish strongly
Neither captain Greg Barden nor tough centre Iso Damudamu made it to Glasgow and someone put England in one of the crappiest playing kits ever seen but they topped Pool A all the same.

Ben Ryan’s men drilled Kenya 40-7 in their first outing and then overcame the United States who came back from 2 tries down in the first spell to tie things up with 2 tries of their own to start the second half.

Then they beat Australia in their last match 19-14 to turn the tables on the Tokyo champions.

England meet South Africa in their quarter final on Day#2 in a repeat of the Quarter final in Tokyo which England won 21-17.

Wales Upset South Africa 17-5
It was always going to be a challenge for Paul Treu’s men going into the tournament without Player of the Year, Cecil Africa and his deputy Paul Delport.

Series captain Richie Pugh is not with the team but Rhys Shallard returned from injury and scored the first try to sustain Wales momentum on Day#1.

Wales had beaten an up beat Scotland 17-14 in a great match before dispatching Russia 31-5.

Wales meet Australia in their quarter final which should be a cracker while South Africa will have a tough assignment against England.

Kiwis sneak past Samoa by 1 point (23-22)
Samoa have the best record against New Zealand of any team in recent World Series history.

They beat them in the final at Las Vegas and put them out of the Tokyo Sevens in the semi-finals.

But the Kiwis had their measure this time.

Waisake Naholo started the game on fire scoring 2 tries in the first 2 minutes but Samoa came back strongly with 2 tries of their own (Alafoti Faosiliva; Faatoina Autagavaia) both converted by Uale Mai to lead at half-time 14-10.

New Zealand started the second half strongly with tries to Bryce Heem (from the kick off) and then Charles Piutau to make it 22-14.

Samoa finished the game with a consolation try in extra time to substitute Faalemiga Selesele which was converted.

New Zealand meet Argentina in their quarter final and Samoa face a rampant Fiji.

England turn the tables on Australia
England beat Australia in the last match of the day 19-14

The 2 teams have see-sawed in the last 3 world series events.

England beat Australia in Hong Kong with a last-minute, 80 metre try at the Quarter Final stage (19-4).

Australia got their revenge in Tokyo when they beat England 33-12 in the semi-final.

This was the first time the Ashes sporting rivals have met in the pool stage this season and it was England who got the upper hand.

Australia came into Glasgow full of confidence having won the last event in Tokyo in convincing fashion and then beating New Zealand in a one-off game last weekend. But they had a tough couple of matches going into the clash with England.

• USA 29-14
  Australia trailed at half-time by 2 points having conceded 2 tries to a rejuvenated United States outfit. The final scoreline was flattered by a last minute Australian try
• Kenya 28-26

The Australians squandered a 3 tries to 1 advantage at half-time to be trailing by 5 with less than 2 minutes to play. They were saved by a Lewis Holland try in the last minute then winning with the conversion from Matt Lucas.

England face South Africa in their quarter final while Australia meet Wales in theirs.

No team outside of the World Series top 6 have won a tournament this season and there is no reason to think it will happen this week in Glasgow.

The Top 6

1. New Zealand

Hard working forwards Lote Raikubula and Solomon King return to training

They have everything to play for with a narrow 6 point lead in the series over Fiji and a lot of young players coming through with eyes on Olympic gold.

But they were poor in Sydney in an outing against Australia on Sunday with dropped ball, lack of cohesion and missed tackles.

At the time coach Teitjens would have been spitting tacks but he will now use it as a wake-up call to ensure his players are disciplined and focused for the series run-in.

Jack Wilson continued to impress in the one-off match showing good pace out wide for a big man.

Frank Halai returns on the wing and Solomon King shores up the forwards.

Our pick: Finalists

2. Fiji
Fiji were unstoppable in Hong Kong. And this was after making big changes to their team. They came unstuck a week later in the wind and rain in Tokyo when they lost to England and Samoa en route to the Plate.

They have since made another 6 changes to their side including leaving out Waisea Nayacalevu, a revelation in Hong Kong. Then there was the last minute exclusion of star playmaker Nikola Matawalu for ‘indiscipline’.

There is still no place for the highly experienced duo of Osea Kolinisau and Emosi Vucago.

Somehow the Fijians seem to be comfortable with a level of fluidity in their squad.

They have everything to play for as they try to topple the Kiwis in the series table with 2 events to make up the 6 point gap.

Our pick: Fiji will either win it all or fail to make the semi-finals – no half measures.

3. South Africa
South Africa have suffered more injuries than most this season. Playmakers Paul Delport and Cecil Afrika were ruled out of the series after sustaining injuries in Hong Kong in March.

So Paul Treu is taking the opportunity to blood new players with 4 new boys coming in – Clayton Blommetjies, Ulengo Jamba, Cheslin Kolbe and Ryan Nel.

On the surface, the changes and selections could look like a focus on the future but the list of fit players remains impressive. Steven Hunt comes back after a bereavement in the family to join live wire half Branco duPreez and hard working forwards Kyle Brown and Frankie Horne.

Cornal Hendricks and Stephen Dipenaar are also in the backs so writing off the Blitzbokke would be a mistake.

South Africa finished very strongly last season winning both the Scotland and England events and they have been consistent this year but it remains to be seen whether they can win a tournament without the brilliance of Cecil Afrika.

Our pick: quarter finals

4. England
England have been forced into changes for the final 2 events of the series.

• Greg Barden has retired, replaced by Andy Vilk
• Christian Lewis-Pratt is injured
• Isoa Damudamu was injured in the Army v Navy match at the weekend

On the positive side, Chris Cracknell has recovered from the arm injury that kept him out of play in Tokyo.

Also positive is the scintillating form of Dan Norton. He tops the series try scorer’s table and will be rearing to go and Mat Turner is due a big tournament.

England are capable of winning and the weather forecast might help them as wind and rain are forecast for the weekend. They were superb in the way they dismantled Fiji in the quarter finals at the Tokyo Sevens in the wind and rain.

Damudamu is a big loss as he brought variety and strength to the English midfield but Ben Ryan will have his team primed and there will be slightly less pressure on England this weekend rather than next.

Our pick: Finalists

5. Samoa
Paul Perez’ injury is a huge blow to Samoa’s chances. He has been in devastating form. The combination with Ken Pisi has produced a lot of tries and keeps defenses guessing.

Robert Lilomaiava is also injured and Samoa have a new coach in Tausa Faamaoni Lalomilo.

Some teams rise to meet these kinds of challenges and any team with Lolo Lui, Uale Mai and Alafoti Faosiliva in the starting lineup will be dangerous.

Our pick: semi-finals

6. Australia
They may be in 6th place overall but the Australians have momentum going into the last 2 events of the series.

• They won the last series event in Japan very well
• They just beat New Zealand in a one-off exhibition match in Sydney before leaving for Scotland

In a very short time, Australia have managed to build depth to go with their young talent.

They seem to have a wealth of playmakers (Faalavaau, Yakapo, Walker, Foley), finishing ability (Jenkins, Stubbs) and hard working forwards (Parahi, McMahon, Anderson).

Several players really took their chances in Sydney over the weekend and coach Mick O’Connor will be confident heading to Scotstoun Stadium.

Capable, confident Australians make for very difficult opponents.

Our pick: Top 3 finish

New Zealand went into the last 2 World Sevens Series events without 4 of their most experienced and effective players.

Big Frank Halai back in training for New Zealand

Frank Halai was at the top of the try scorer’s table when he suffered an injury in Las Vegas. His explosive pace and strength have been instrumental in New Zealand’s success over the last 2 series.

Halai is still in second equal place on the try scorers table with 27 and will be keen to add to that tally in Glasgow and London. But with Dan Norton 6 ahead and in scintillating form, he is unlikely to overtake the English speedster.

Either way, New Zealand will be better with Halai back on the wing. His ability to beat players and score in the tightest of situations have helped to keep New Zealand on the top in the last 2 Series.

27 year old Solomon King is New Zealand’s most experienced player and they could have done with his input in the final in Hong Kong where Fiji took it to the Kiwis.

Injuries have dogged King’s career in 15-a-side rugby but he makes a welcome return to the sevens fold where his tireless work up front is never lost on coach Teitjens.

Hard working forwards Lote Raikubula and Solomon King return to training

Lote Raikubula was a last minute exclusion from the Hong Kong Sevens having travelled with the team but pulled up in training before their first match.

Raikubula also brings experience and work rate but he has been used off the bench more this season than as a starter.

Toby Arnold suffered a knee injury in Wellington putting him out for the season. He is currently recovering from an operation and was at the Kiwi’s last training camp before they leave for Scotland.

While it seems Arnold has been around the international circuit for years, he’s only 24 and hence still in the frame for Rio in 2016. He will be keen to get up to speed however to ensure he’s in contention when the 2012-2013 World Series starts in mid October.

Selection dilemmas

With the recent injuries Gordon Teitjens has been able to bring in new players to the New Zealand Sevens set up. The World Cup next year and the Olympics 3 years after that have meant the injection of young blood has been a priority and youth is definitely the common factor among the new boys
- Waisake Naholo (20)
- Joe Webber (19)
- Jono Malo (21)
- Lolagi Visinia (19)
- Ardie Savea (18)
- Charles Piutau (20)
- Jack Wilson (21)

Coach Teitjens will be happy with the selection headache that a near-full roster brings.

There will be some interesting selections

• With the return of Bryce Heem and the emergence of Jack Wilson, it remains to be seen whether Lote Raikubula can retain his place in the travelling squad. The Fijian utility will be nearing 33 when the 2016 Olympics roll around and the sevens scene is a tough one. My guess is that Solomon King will come back in for his presence but Raikubula will be left out.
• Frank Halai is certain to return to the backline, probably at the expense of Lolagi Visinia. The youngster scored 2 tries on debut in Hong Kong but is still quite raw.
• Teitjens has a wealth of playmakers in the squad at present with Jono Malo, Joe Webber and Kylem O’Donnell backing up Tomasi Cama and Mark Jackman. O’Donnell and Webber both went well in Hong Kong and Tokyo whereas Malo had a tougher time in Las Vegas, his only tournament to date. Regardless of who travels this weekend, all of these players will factor in Teitjens’ World Cup plans.

South Africa are the only team from the top 6 that have not won a tournament during the current World Sevens Series.

They came very close in their home tournament when they had New Zealand on the rack going into the last minute of the final in Port Elizabeth (which the Kiwis won 31-26 with a Frank Halai try).

Can they get themselves up for the final 2 tournaments of the series in Glasgow and London?

Player of the year Cecil Afrika left the field with a knee injury at half time in South Africa’s quarter final against Samoa in Hong Kong when they were down 14-5.

Paul Delport came on as replacement and that was the last that Cecil Afrika will play in the 2011-2012 World Series.

The Blitzbokke managed to surge ahead of an in-form Samoan side that had looked very dangerous on the first 2 days of play including a 27-0 hammering of Argentina.

South Africa then lost in the semi-final to New Zealand by 19-12 before caning England 28-0 to secure third place in the tournament with a very strong finish.

In Japan, South Africa beat Scotland and Portugal in pool play but were convincingly beaten by Samoa 38-7 at the end fo Day#1.

In another tight rematch from Hong Kong, South Africa faced England in the quarter final on Day#2 but this time the tables were turned and South Africa were out of contention, losing 21-17.

They eventually lost the Plate final to Fiji 14-10.

But it was a very gutsy effort after Boom Prinsloo had been knocked out and Frankie Horne was also ruled out with injury.
[Paul Delport sustained injury in Hong Kong and was not in Japan]

Kyle Brown was the only man left standing from South Africa's starting forwards

On to Scotland and England Sevens

South Africa finished the 2010-2011 series in spectacular fashion, winning the last two tournaments in London and Edinburgh to claim second place in the overall standings.

The 2011-2012 series has 9 tournaments. It is a long and arduous journey for all teams and injuries take their toll.

New Zealand have not won a tournament since Frank Halai’s injury in Las Vegas. They lead the series but coach Gordon Teitjens would dearly love to have his try scoring big man out wide for the Glasgow and London events.

If Cecil Afrika was playing, South Africa would be a genuine chance. Without him, they need their remaining creative players (Branco du Preez, Steven Hunt, Cornel Hendricks) to really step up and, at the same time their hard-working forwards must to stay fit.

South Africa will give a solid account of themselves but without Cecil Africa, winning a tournament is a very big ask.

(I am from New Zealand but) I kind of hope they do win one of these events (if not both). Paul Treu is a passionate, dedicated coach. Frankie Horne is a rock and Kyle Brown’s work rate and ability with the ball make him one of the most effective forwards in the series. Branco du Preez is capable of taking over matches on attack and there are young men with pace out wide.

Go the Blitzbokke!

Branco du Preez, South Africa

The Scotland Sevens is a genuine 6 horse race between the top teams in the world:
- New Zealand
- Fiji
- South Africa
- England
- Samoa
- Australia

The World Series is also wide open but realistically the competition is between 2 teams. New Zealand remain on top of the with 128 points with Fiji close behind on 122. South Africa (105) leap-frogged England (104) to take 3rd and Samoa round out the top 5 with 101.

So who is going to win in Glasgow?

1. New Zealand

Going into Hong Kong, it wasn’t clear whether the Kiwis could win without their main attacking weapon, Frank Halai.

Their most experienced forward, Solomon King was also ruled out with injury. Then, at the last minute Lote Raikubula pulled out as well.

New Zealand managed to make the final in Hong Kong and came 3rd in Tokyo but they have not won either of the last 2 events in a series since the 2007-08 season.

Realistic chances: The new players did well in Hong Kong and Japan but they weren’t clinical. Without King, Raikubula and Halai, the Kiwis will struggle to secure victory in Scotland.

2. Fiji

The flying Fijians were sublime in Hong Kong when they beat New Zealand convincingly in the final. They had 6 new players but they gelled superbly in a complete performance.

Fiji are a balanced side with experience (Setephano Cakau) and enterprise in the forwards (Jimi Naikadawa), express pace out wide (Metuisela Telabula) and a great playmaker in Nikola Matawalu. LutuMailagi and Nayacalevu round out a wonderful unit.

Fiji did not play badly in Tokyo. Their loss to England at the end of day one was played in cold, wet and windy conditions against a very well organised unit.

They had an epic quarter final battle with Samoa but lost by just 3 points.

Realistic chances: Fiji have everything they need to win in Glasgow but it’s very tough to know whether they will have the collective attitude to do so. The added pressure of the series points will either spark them to victory or add to the pressure. It’s a 50/50 call

3. South Africa

Player of the year, Cecil Afrika

The Blitzbokke came in third in Hong Kong after beating Samoa in the semi-final. After losing most of their forward line in Tokyo, South Africa went on to lose the Plate final to Fiji 10-14.

Realistic chances: South Africa finished last season extremely well winning both the Scottish and English Sevens events. If their injured men are back, then South Africa have a very good chance of winning.

4. England

I had picked England to win in Hong Kong because I felt they were due. While they ended up in 4th place, they have been consistent. In Tokyo they finished 4th again.

Realistic chances: The difference between losing and winning a semi-final can be extremely narrow. England will have learned from the experiences in Asia and they have the team to go all the way. I’m going back to my Hong Kong prediction and say that England will win this one – they are due.

5. Samoa

Ken Pisi has been a revelation for Samoa

Samoa regrouped very well in Tokyo to make it to the final, beating Fiji and New Zealand along the way.

In the final they met a very confident Australian side who were playing the rugby of their lives and Samoa just fell short by 2 points.

Realistic chances: With injuries to key players Lolo Lui, Uale Mai, Tom Iosefo, Afa Aionoand and Paul Perez only a 50/50 chance, Samoa could struggle.

If they are fit however, then Samoa are a genuine final contender.

6. Australia

The young Australian side are 6th in the series after their win in Tokyo. They were not really in contention this season until Hong Kong 2 weeks ago when they were pipped in the quarter finals by a 90 metre Dan Norton try in the last seconds of the game. Then 7 days later they won in Tokyo so momentum is definitely with Michael O’Connor’s men.

Australia have several exciting prospects in the back line, hard working forwards and a lot of self belief.

Realistic chances: Unlike some of the Pacific Nations, Australia will not struggle to get up twice in a row – they will be a serious contender at Scotstoun Stadium in a month’s time. I think they will make it to the semi-finals at least.

The last thing New Zealand rugby needs is for sevens super coach Gordon Tietjens to be helping an opponent when the 2016 Olympics roll around.

NZ Sevens supercoach, Gordon Tietjens

Sevens is the Olympic version of the sport. That means it is on the radar for sports-glory minded nations, especially those who think they might be in with a chance – those currently playing in the IRB World Series.

The New Zealand Rugby Football Union aren’t the smartest, fastest moving group in world rugby but they have made the right decision here.

2013 is Sevens World Cup year (Moscow) and the Commonwealth Games is the year after (Glasgow). Then Rio is just 2 years after that.

The timetable is set so now it’s about the programme.

Can New Zealand hold it’s edge?

Here’s where the New Zealand rugby administrators might have it wrong. They are talking about offering full time contracts to just four players from 2014.

Gordon Tietjens has had the luxury of having his core 6 players together for the last 4 years.

• Tomasi Cama
• Lote Raikubula
• Solomon King
• Toby Arnold
• Tim Mikkleson
• DJ Forbes

Due to their age, few of these players are likely to still be in the New Zealand team in 2016 but Frank Halai will be 28. So will new boy Mark Jackman who is making a strong start to what could be a golden sevens career.

To be successful in 2016, Tietjens will need to have developed a similar new playing core that will have been together for 4 years when the they compete for Olympic gold. That core might include the youngsters he introduced to the New Zealand squad during this world series.

• Charles Piutau
• Joe Webber
• Jono Malo
• Waisake Naholo
• Ardie Savea
• Lolagi Visinia
• Jack Wilson

Last year Ardie Savea was captain of his high school team, this year he is scoring tries in the World Sevens Series