DUBAI // For the first time in a decade, Ben Ryan will have a watching brief rather than be actively involved in the Dubai Rugby Sevens this weekend. The Londoner, who won this title four times across his spells with England and Fiji, thinks the move from coach to spectator will help his blood pressure — but here he picks five players to set the pulses racing.
1 Sevuloni Mocenacagi (Fiji)
“From a village in Fiji’s interior, you could play him on the wing or at prop. He is very strong, powerful and quick. I have heard he is in very confident mood, so you can expect fireworks from him. He played two tournaments last season, but is outside that group of gold medallists.”
• Big fixture: 2.36pm, Fiji v Wales
More Dubai Rugby Sevens:
• World Series preview: For Fiji's rivals, Dubai Rugby Sevens could be the place to gain ground
• Meet Masivesi Dakuwaqa: Blind in one eye and emblematic of Fiji's indomitable spirit
• The Olympic effect: Sevens returns to Dubai a sport surging, and changing, after golden Olympics
• The story of Ben Ryan: Paul Radley documents the influence of Ryan in the rise of Fiji's sevens side
2 Cecil Afrika (South Africa)
“A favourite player of mine, if he is fit and comes back to his best form of four or five years ago, he could be the architect of a South Africa title. People don’t talk about him as much as they used to, but three or four years ago, he was just the best player on the planet. Silky smooth.”
• Big fixture: 7.06pm, South Africa v United States
3 Ollie Lindsay-Hague (England)
“Ollie made his debut here in 2009, and scored two tries against New Zealand in the semi-final that made a big difference. If he hadn’t gone to XVs, he would have been an absolute star. With him, Tom Mitchell, Dan Bibby and Dan Norton, England have as potent a backline as there is.”
• Big fixture: 8.37pm, England v New Zealand
4 Rocky Khan (New Zealand)
“It is great that he is back pulling the strings for New Zealand. An indigenous Fijian, he is going to allow a lot more space for that team. I think we are going to see a re-energised New Zealand team this year, that are going to play with more flair and width. It will be a fresh approach.”
• Big fixture: 3.20pm, New Zealand v Samoa
5 James Farndale (Scotland)
“A winger who is a very powerful player. He was unlucky because he was injured in the lead up to the Olympics, and he may well have made the Britain squad. He is another one who relies on confidence, it sounds like he’s in good nick and he could do some damage this weekend.”
• Big fixture: 1.06pm, Scotland v South Africa
Friday's fixtures at the Dubai Rugby Sevens.
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