OPINION: Did you ever get smacked as a child, tell your parents "that didn't hurt", then turn and run to your bedroom with tears running down your face?

That's the kind of situation the United States Eagles sevens team could be in for. Their assistant coach, Phil Greening, believes the Eagles can match the likes of Julian Savea physically, and says they won't be concerned about playing an All Black-infused New Zealand sevens team in 2016.

Now, the USA Eagles are absolutely in the gold medal hunt for the Rio Olympics. They have a group of remarkable athletes at their disposal now including sprinter-turned-rugby stars Perry Baker and Carlin Isles, but playing against the hulk of a man that is Savea?

NZ sevens dream team - who's your top seven? Share your stories, photos and videos. Contribute

This USA team is used to playing 17-year-old hulk of a teenager Rieko Ioane. Savea is a different beast. That got us thinking. If New Zealand fielded an absolute dream team at the Rio Olympics, who would make the squad?

Here it is. Challenge accepted, USA.

DJ Forbes: Some think New Zealand's captain is slowing down, but that's nonsense. Forbes is the heart and soul of the New Zealand sevens team and leads my group of talented Kiwis. He provides grunt up the middle of the field, he's at nearly every ruck, he wins turnovers, he makes huge yardage after being hit, and makes sure his team-mates are doing the same.



Scott Curry: He's likely to be the second most famous Curry at the Rio Olympics, given the USA basketball team should have another in their squad. The big Manawatu forward is another player with tireless work ethic on the field, good pace, and the ability to read the game better than most.



Victor Vito: Power, pace, strength and sevens pedigree, Vito was one of the first names in this team. He was a winger in his time with the New Zealand sevens team in 2007 and 2008, but would play as a prop here. That won't stop us seeing Vito with plenty of the ball in space out wide. Good luck trying to stop this man with the ball in hand.

GETTY IMAGES Julian Savea bursts past yet another victim in the black jersey.

Aaron Smith: This is a dream team so Aaron Smith is my halfback. He's the fittest man in 15s, and that would translate well to sevens and a Gordon Tietjens training camp. He's fast, he's got great vision, he can spot a gap with his eyes closed, and he has the best pass in world rugby. With rush defences prevalent in sevens at the moment, a good passing halfback is key.

Beauden Barrett: The starting first-five, I'd be surprised if anyone would leave Barrett out of their dream team. We've seen his talent running the ball for the All Blacks and Hurricanes, and with more space on the sevens field he would be devastating. This guy has X-factor.

Shaun Johnson: Yes, he plays league, and I know there's no chance of him playing in Rio, but this is a dream team. Johnson has the best step in world sport. He's so elusive he can walk through a thunderstorm and not get wet. As a star touch player, Johnson would slot in nicely, playing at centre with some work at first receiver.

Julian Savea: If Aaron Smith hasn't sniped through the line, Beauden Barrett dummied, or Shaun Johnson side-stepped, we have the bus to simply rumble over the defence. You know that story, We're Going on a Bear Hunt. Savea always goes straight through it.

On the bench my team has Liam Messam and Ardie Savea covering the forwards, Ben Smith and Sherwin Stowers covering the backs, and Sonny Bill Williams covering a bit of both. It's a real mixture of sevens experience and straight up class.

Joe Webber, Tim Mikkelson, Sam Dickson, Gillies Kaka and Damian McKenzie were unlucky not to make the 12-man squad.