Over this weekend, provincial representative teams from across New Zealand will converge on Rotorua as teams vye for Sevens supremacy to kick-off this season. The Men’s and Women’s sides include the finest players within the country, so join Last Word On Sports as we highlight for you ‘which teams to watch in 2016’.

2015 Champions: Men – Waikato | Women – Auckland

The 2016 draw has been announced for both sides of the draw, with four pools of four on the Men’s side and two pools of five Women’s sides. For the full draw, click here.

Much interest will centre on the Men, as the national men’s side has suffered an avalanche of serious injuries that resulted this week in Tim Mickelson being named the replacement All Black Sevens Captain for the remainder of the Sevens World Series [Scott Curry being unavailable for up to six months] Injury replacements are required, so a bonus for Sir Gordon Tietjens and his sides Olympic aspirations is that the present next crop of players will all surely put their names up.

In the Women’s competition, the strongest ten sides have made it to this stage and the anticipation is that the skill level will have improved (as has the Men) over 2015. The improvement from the women is evident for all to see, and similarly there have been some injuries that will have Sean Horan making notes and also praying that no further injuries reduce his pool of talent–Sarah Goss, Tyla Nathan-Wong and Kelly Brazier have been withdrawn to preserve them for Brazil and Karla Hohepa may recover from an ACL injury.

Many of the contracted players will be involved still, with Auckland holding some major collateral in Kayla McAlister and Niall Williams on show, supported by the talented Kiritapu Demant. Waikato have Honey Hirimeni, Manawatu have Selica Winiata (pictured) Canterbury have the dynamic leader Kendra Cocksedge who is always a handful, but Counties-Manukau must feel that with World Rugby’s Women’s Sevens player of the year Portia Woodman, Counties can make a run towards a title in 2016. Maybe.

Big statement needs to be made in Men’s division

At anytime, a big statement can be made by any young player [Man or Woman] think Rieko Ioane. A natural spark that changes all these scenariounfortunately not all men’s candidates will be out on the field to challenge this weekend. New convert Sonny Bill Williams has not been promoted to from Counties ranks, nor has Liam Messam returned yet from his contract with Japanese Rugby. That being said, the bright sparks for NZ Sevens will likely come from men’s teams Auckland, defending champions Waikato, Taranaki, Otago and Wellington–to name just five out of sixteen men’s sides.

Men from the NZ training squad will be visibly present to make a claim, with the likes of Ben Lam (pictured) and Akira Ioane of Auckland and Kurt Baker and Beaudein Waaka of Taranaki already named in training squads and enjoying time within the squad. During the tournament, exceptional performances may have the eye of the selectors. Teams to watch in 2016 are the top-seed Wellington, but look for plenty of Coaches to have their men ‘brimming’ to meet expectations.

On-field, electric men to watch out for are the likes of Rocky Khan (AKL) and Luke Masirewa (Waikato) Watch out for Jackson Garden-Bachop (Wellington) and Southern man Ben Millar (Otago) but individuals are only one part of Sevens. The game is about continuity and team spirit, as much as sparking an attack yourself. This factor brings fans to the game with the electricity of a match over in mere minutes.

Looking at the big centres like Auckland, they will certainly bring with them a competitive side, no doubt. A bigger organisation like that can provide resources that will promote that side far in this years National 7’s. While not all teams have outstanding resources or big names, it is often groups who can peak for these big stages. Sides with plenty of match practice will do better I’m sure, but nothing beats a strong team.

Who to be aware of at National Sevens 2016

For mine, some of the smaller unions like South Canterbury, hosts Bay of Plenty or the more likely Wanganui team could very well peak for these weekend. Sides like this can reach another gear if they can pull together as a unit. Heartland Champions themselves, minor sides will be a handful for every team, mark my words, for as much entertainment as any World Series match.

Wanganui are in Pool C, so will push the likes North Harbour and must be at their very best when preparing for the exciting Counties-Manukau side. If anything, a surprise result is not only due, it might be the right time in 2016 for anything to happen.

Look for teams like those to get the most out of tight situations, to each maybe play ‘out of their skins’ and I would not be wrong in saying that a smaller union this year could be the very best in 2016.

You see, there is much to play for. You might find Pools C and B which includes Taranaki heading the leaderboard; they claimed the Provincial 7’s cup only last week. It could be any new unfavoured side who walk away from Rotorua as Champions. Taranaki or (in all possibility) Wanganui might do the impossible. For the women, it is time the ‘Waikato wahine’ were able to leave their backyard as Women’s cup holders. That is likely, but in sport nothing is ‘easy’ so I wish them all well.

With the sport of Rugby Sevens trending due to it’s inclusion in the upcoming 2016 Rio Olympics, the eyes of the national media are squarely on this tournament, this weekend. ‘

Media will be as interested in the flare of the game naturally, as too the form of the leading sides and their players. Fans will be drawn due to provincial pride and to see some current national representatives use this tournament to prepare for upcoming tournaments; Wellington Sevens and the Sydney event, and the Sao Paulo women’s leg two of their Sevens World Series.

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The 2016 National Sevens tournament begins on Saturday 16th January, Game 1 commences 10.05am with Day One of the two day tournament concluding at 6;35pm. Join Last Word On Sports with a Day One update and then full tournament results available Sunday 17th January (follow @LWOSSouth for post-game results and matchday schedule)

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