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Next weekend one of Dubai's biggest sport and social events – the Emirates Airlines Sevens – gets under way at its new purpose-built venue.
While many people will be looking to gauge the atmosphere at The Sevens and compare it to last year's Exiles Ground, the main feature of the action-packed weekend is, of course, the rugby.
Knowledge of who is playing and how the tournament works will make for an even greater experience.
The IRB Sevens is a eight leg series that begins in Dubai and ends next June in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Here, 16 teams will take part in the tournament and they have been divided into four groups with a quartet of countries in each of the groups.
New Zealand are the defending champions and will be in Group A. South Africa (in Group B), Samoa (Group C) and Fiji (Group D) are also among the strong Sevens-playing nations. As far as the United Kingdom is concerned; England, Scotland and Wales will be competing as usual.
Each team plays every other team in their group on Friday with three points awarded for a win, two for a draw and one for a loss.
On Saturday, the top two teams in the group progress through to the Cup and Plate competitions. The bottom two play in the Bowl and Shield section. A quarter-final match is played to decide who plays in which section. So, in simple terms, the Cup is the highest section followed by the Plate then the Bowl and finally the Shield.
Over the next four pages Emirates Business takes a look at all 16 teams that will compete next weekend as well as providing all the information needed to make the best of this annual festival of rugby.
GROUP A
New Zealand
Coach: Gordon Tietjens
Final overall position in IRB Sevens 2007/2008: 1st
2007 Dubai final place: Winners (Cup)
Our Prediction for this year: Winners
Squad (Finalised): Kurt Baker, Tomasi Cama, DJ Forbes (captain), Solomon King, Zar Lawrence, Tim Mikkelson, Lote Raikabula, Willie Rickards, Julian Savea, Nafi Tuitavake, Paul Grant, Tim Nanai-Williams
New Zealand are the defending champions and have also won eight of the nine IRB Sevens titles – including the 2007/08 crown – since 2000. Their 47-match winning streak in the past season was a record and they lost in only two of the six rounds.
They have picked four exciting newcomers into their side this year, but are still an experienced enough team with high skill levels and are the favourites to win here again this year. Watching 'the haka' live is an experience in itself.
GROUP A
Australia
Coach: Michael O'Connor
Final overall position in IRB Sevens 2007/2008: 8th
2007 Dubai final place: Bowl Final winners
Our Prediction for this year: Bowl Final
Squad (Finalised): Willie Bishop, Will Brock, Benjamin Coridas, Drumayne Dayberg-Muir, Dane Haylett-Perry, Ed Jenkins, Richard Kingi, Luke Morahan, Ben Mowen, Brian Sefanaia, Aiden Toua, Stanley Hokafonu
Unlike their Tri-Nations counterparts New Zealand and South Africa, the Australia Sevens team are not as strong as their 15s side.
However, they are, likely to win the tricky encounter against Wales and progress through the group and into the Cup quarter-final in second place.
New coach Michael O'Connor, who played both union and league, named his squad and reserve group early citing the need to create continuity among the revitalised team he is trying to build.
GROUP A
Wales
Coach: Paul John
Final overall position in IRB Sevens 2007/2008: 9th
2007 Dubai final place: Bowl semi-final
Our Prediction for this year: Bowl semi-final
Squad (Provisional): Will Harries, Dafydd Hewitt, Alec Jenkins, James Lewis, Robert Lewis, Tal Selley, Aled Thomas, Nick Wakley, Lee Williams, Lee Beach, Johnathan Edwards, Lewis Evans, James Harris, Richie Pugh
Wales only returned to the Sevens circuit in 2005 after a three year absence due to financial problems and are still trying to find their feet in the format.
They find themselves in a tough group although their fans will hope they can surprise Australia, who they narrowly lost (22-19) to in the Bowl semi-final here last year, and snatch a Cup quarter-final place with New Zealand.
Their 15s rugby union team are the current Six Nations champions and how much depth they have in their rugby will be judged on their performances here.
GROUP A
Zimbabwe
Coach: Liam Middleton
Final overall position in IRB Sevens 2007/2008: No points
2007 Dubai final place: Shield Final winners
Our Prediction for this year: Shield semi-final
Squad (Finalised): Gordon Pangetti, Jacques Leitao, Grant Mitchell, Ryan Manyika, Cleopas Makatose, Daniel Hondo, Willis Magasa, Slater Ndlovu, Gardner Nechironga, Gerald Sibanda, Tangai Nemadire, Wensley Mbanje
While hardly a force in rugby, the Zimbabwe team do not lack commitment and are usually warmly received by the crowd here.
They boast some promising youngsters and last year they claimed their first IRB trophy, winning the Shield competition with a thrilling 22-19 win over Tunisia.
They qualified by finishing as runners up to Kenya in a Rugby World Cup Sevens qualification tournament this month. Here though, they face a harsh learning experience after being placed in a tough group.
GROUP B
South Africa
Coach: Paul Treu
Final overall position in IRB Sevens 2007/2008: 2nd
2007 Dubai final place: Cup semi-finals
Our Prediction for this year: Cup semi-finals
Squad (Finalised): Philip Snyman, Kyle Brown, Marius Schoeman, Mpho Mbiyozo, Frankie Horne, Renfred Dazel, Paul Delport, Vuyo Zangqa, Mzwandile Stick, Gio Aplon, Ryno Benjamin, Robert Ebersohn
Like New Zealand, it is amazing how much depth South Africa have in their rugby as even though coach Paul Treu is forced to trawl about the provincial teams hoping to snare any non-playing reserves, they still manage to remain one of the top teams.
This year though they have lost speedster Fabian Juries, who is the second highest try scorer in Sevens history, and come to Dubai with a fairly inexperienced team which may slightly affect their chances in the latter stages.
GROUP B
Scotland
Coach: Stephen Gemmell
Final overall position in IRB Sevens 2007/2008: 10th
2007 Dubai final place: Plate semi-final
Our Prediction for this year: Plate final
Squad (Provisional): Roddy Grant , Struan Dewar, Colin Shaw, Fraser McKenzie, Chris Fusaro, Ashleah McCulloch, Jamie Hunter, Rory Hutton, Andrew Easson, Graham Hogg, Grant Anderson , Chris Kinloch
Scotland play host to the final leg of the IRB Sevens and they collected six valuable points in June by reaching the Plate finals on home-soil by beating the powerful Fiji side. They will be hoping the confidence gained from that win will give them a boost to collect silverware next weekend.
Scotland were saved from losing their Sevens side to financial problems when they won the right to host a leg of the Series in Edinburgh in 2007. Since then they have vastly improved using players from Scottish Academies to provide the best up-coming talent for their team.
GROUP B
Arabian Gulf
Coach: Mike Lunjevich
Final overall position in IRB Sevens 2007/2008: No Points
2007 Dubai final place: Shield semi-final
Our Prediction for this year: Shield semi-final
Squad (Provisional): Stephan Cooper, Francois Coetzer, Dan Patching, David Clark (all Dubai Exiles RFC), Stuart Gibb, Corey Oliver, Sean Hurley (all Dubai Dragons RFC), Gerry Considine, Chris Gregory, Josh Sherrin, Arron Brown (all Dubai Hurricanes RFC), Jonny MacDonald (NBAD Abu Dhabi Harlequins RFC)
Our local team in theory. The Arabian Gulf are supposed to be made up of players from all around the Middle East, but the team that will take part next weekend are almost all based in Dubai. They are a semi-professional team who have tended to struggle against the more professional outfits, but are doing wonders to help grow rugby in the UAE.
They spent some time in South Africa last week preparing for the tournament and showed great commitment. The home support will have to urge them on as they attempt to notch up a first win since they beat Kenya two-years ago.
GROUP B
Kenya
Coach: Benjamin Ayimba
Final overall position in IRB Sevens 2007/2008: 7th
2007 Dubai final place: Plate semi-finals
Our Prediction for this year: Plate final
Squad (Provisional): Humphrey Kayange, Collins Injera, Lavin Asego, Horace Owiti, Biko Adema, Benedict Nyambu, Brian Nyikuli, Naftaly Bondo, Innocent Simiyu, Dennis Mwanja, Gibson Weru, Vincent Mose, Cyprian Shimenga, Wilson K’Opondo, Joshua Gathumbi
Kenya are the surprise team of the Sevens and can never be underestimated. Last season they ended seventh overall ahead of more prominent rugby nations such as Australia, France, Scotland and Wales.
Earlier this month they won the Rugby World Cup Sevens qualification tournament in Tunis by beating Zimbabwe in the final and in the past season have reached five Cup quarter-finals.
Their ability to counter-attack at pace, coupled with a never-say-die attitude, makes them a good team for neutrals to both watch and support.
GROUP C
Samoa
Coach: Rudolf Moors
Final overall position in IRB Sevens 2007/2008: 3rd
2007 Dubai final place: Plate final
Our Prediction for this year: Cup final
Squad (Finalised): Simaika Mikaele, Ofisa Treviranus, Alafoti Faosiliva , Apelu Fa’aiuga , Jerry Meafou, Uale Mai, Lolo Lui, Reupena Levasa, Mikaele Pesamino, Timoteo Iosua, Alatasi Tupou, Mark Tanuvasa
The powerful Pacific Island team form part of the ‘big four’ of the IRB Sevens series. They finished third overall and were one of two teams, the other being South Africa, to beat the high-flying New Zealand in the past season.
They are bringing an experienced team to Dubai in contrast to other sides who have chosen to blood some youngsters ahead of the Sevens World Cup in March (also here) and the coach has said his aim is to improve their recent “poor” performances in the UAE.
GROUP C
France
Coach: Thierry Janeczek
Final overall position in IRB Sevens 2007/2008: 12th
2007 Dubai final place: Bowl semi-final
Our Prediction for this year: Bowl semi-final
Squad (Provisional): Florent Gibouin, Thomas Combezou, Nicolas Brindel, Eddy Labarthe, Paul Albaladejo, 6 Loïc Mazieres, Emile Cailleaud, Maxime Carabignac, Raphaël Lagarde, Simon Bouty, Mathieu Acebes, Julien Patey
For a country that has a tradition for producing attacking players for their 15s side, you would think that the French would excel at the Sevens game. Not so. They have only managed to collect points in two of the eight tournaments last season.
Still though, they play with flair and finesse and are a good advertisement for the game. They have recently also named an official ‘B’ side to tour and play with the first team so that in future they will have a fairly experienced Sevens team.
GROUP C
Argentina
Coach: Unconfirmed
Final overall position in IRB Sevens 2007/2008: 6th
2007 Dubai final place: Plate final
Our Prediction for this year: Plate final
Squad (Finalised): Martin Bustos Moyano, Dino Tomás Caceres, Gonzalo Camacho, Pablo Gomez Cora, Santiago Gomez Cora, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Francisco Merello, Hernán Olivari, Tomás Paserotti, Martín Rodriguez, Horacio San Martin, Leonardo Senatore
The Argentinians are a strong rugby Sevens nation although in recent years their results have not been outstanding.
They have the dangerous Santiago Gomez-Cora in their side, who is the IRB Sevens leading try-scorer of all time with 197 tries. They have a slightly inexperienced team this year as Santiago and his brother Pablo Gomez Cora have played in 80 tournaments, while the rest of the team have 62 caps together.
GROUP C
Georgia
Coach: Unconfirmed
Final overall position in IRB Sevens 2007/2008: Did not play
2007 Dubai final place: Did not play
Our Prediction for this year: Shield semi-finals
Squad: Has not been announced as yet...
While not much is known about the Georgia Sevens side as they never featured in the past season, most of their country’s rugby players ply their trade in French leagues so they should field a fairly competitive team.
Their aim is to use the series to develop their rugby, but what level it is at now and how much more developing is needed will be answered at the weekend.
Rugby union, though is one of the most popular sports in Georgia so you can expect a passionate display.
GROUP D
Fiji
Coach: Waisale Serevi
Final overall position in IRB Sevens 2007/2008: 4th
2007 Dubai final place: Cup final
Our Prediction for this year: Cup semi-final
Squad (Provisional): Seremaia Burotu, Etoni Naba, Sailosi Rabonaqica, Iliesa Ratuva, Rupeni Nasiga, Setefano Cakau, Emosi Vucago, Iveri Lavo, Vereniki Goneva, Osea Kolinisau, Naisa Narukutabua, William Rasileka, Watisoni Votu, Peni Rokodiva, Lepani Nabuliwaqa
They are the only team besides New Zealand to win the IRB Sevens series since it begun in 2000. An incredibly gifted team, who are well suited to this format due to their speed and physical strength.
They made the Cup final in Dubai last year and can be expected to be right up there in the thick of things once again.
GROUP D
USA
Coach: Al Caravelli
Final overall position in IRB Sevens 2007/2008: 13th
2007 Dubai final place: Shield semi-final
Our Prediction for this year: Shield semi-final
Squad (Provisional): Jarvis Albury, Marco Barnard, Mark Bokhoven, Justin Boyd, Matthew Byrd, James Gillenwater, Matthew Hawkins, Brad Keys, Jone Naqica, Tui Osborne, Rikus Pretorius, Dallas Robinson, Volney Rouse, Anwar Salaam, Peter Sio, Blaine Scully, Dallen Stanford, Shalom Suniula, Kevin Swiryn, Zach Test, Don Younger
Rugby, like cricket, has just not quite caught on in the USA although they still manage to field competitive teams in the Sevens competitions. They may not be able to consistently beat the top sides in the world, but they are no pushovers and you can expect a spirited display from some extremely fit athletes.
GROUP D
England
Coach: Ben Ryan
Final overall position in IRB Sevens 2007/2008: 5th
2007 Dubai final place: Cup semi-final
Our Prediction for this year: Plate winners
Squad (Finalised): Greg Barden, Kevin Barrett, Tom Biggs, Chris Cracknell, Isoa Damudamu, Josua Drauniniu, Ben Gollings,, Uche Odouza, Ollie Phillips, James Rodwell, Rob Vickerman, Micky Young
Like most of the top rugby playing nations, England have restrictions in selecting Premiership players for the Sevens tournament. Thus, they don’t always field experienced teams and have struggled to consistently earn points at every tournament.
However, they can on their day beat any team in the world and they stand as good a chance as any to win here.
GROUP D
Portugal
Coach: Unconfirmed
Final overall position in IRB Sevens 2007/2008: 15th
2007 Dubai final place: Did not play
Our Prediction for this year: Shield final
Squad (Finalised): Has not been announced as yet
Portugal only featured twice in the past season in Hong Kong and Edinburgh, but they are a fairly competitive rugby nation. They can be a tricky side on their day and teams will not want to underestimate them.
However, if things go to form they won’t be expected to progress much further than the Shield section – which they won in the final tournament of the past season in Edinburgh – and will want to just gain as much experience as possible.
OTHER RUGBY
Gates for the tournament open at 7am and while the IRB Series will be the main attraction on Pitch 1, invitational teams, women’s sides and youth and social clubs will be also be playing on the other pitches at The Sevens.
It may be a great experience to walk around the new venue to watch and support the other teams – there will be close to 2000 Seven’s players taking part – especially ‘our’ Arabian Gulf women’s team.
On Thursday, there will be a full schedule of matches played with a free entrance. A Corporate Hospitality table of 10 at next year’s Rugby World Cup Sevens, from March 5-7, is also up for grabs to the most comically dressed fan on the weekend.
FIXTURES: Friday, November 28
Match No Fixture Time
Match 1 New Zealand v Wales 09:30
M 2 Australia v Zimbabwe 09:52
M 3 South Africa v Scotland 10:14
M 4 Kenya v Arabian Gulf 10:36
M 5 Samoa v France 10:58
M 6 Argentina v Georgia 11:20
M 7 Fiji v USA 11:42
M 8 England v Portugal 12:04
M 9 New Zealand v Zimbabwe 14:26
M 10 Australia v Wales 14:48
M 11 South Africa v Arabian Gulf 15:10
M 12 Kenya v Scotland 15:32
M 13 Samoa v Georgia 15:54
M 14 Argentina v France 16:16
M 15 Fiji v Portugal 16:38
M 16 England v USA 17:00
M 17 Wales v Zimbabwe 17:22
M 18 Scotland v Arabian Gulf 17:44
M 19 France v Georgia 18:06
M 20 USA v Portugal 18:28
M 21 New Zealand v Australia 18:50
M 22 South Africa v Kenya 19:12
M 23 Samoa v Argentina 19:34
M 24 Fiji v England 19:56
fixtures: Saturday, november 28
Match No Fixture Time
M 25 1/4 finals Bowl 3rd Pool A v 4th Pool B 09:40
M 26 1/4 finals Bowl 3rd Pool D v 4th Pool C 10:02
M 27 1/4 finals Bowl 3rd Pool C v 4th Pool D 10:24
M 28 1/4 finals Bowl 3rd Pool B v 4th Pool A 10:46
M 29 1/4 finals Cup 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B 11:08
M 30 1/4 finals Cup 1st Pool D v 2nd Pool C 11:30
M 31 1/4 finals Cup 1st Pool C v 2nd Pool D 11:52
M 32 1/4 finals Cup 1st Pool B v 2nd Pool A 12:14
M 33 SF Shield Loser M 25 v Loser M 26 12:36
M 34 SF Shield Loser M 27 v Loser M 28 12:58
M 35 SF Bowl Winner M 25 v Winner M 26 13:20
M 36 SF Bowl Winner M 27 v Winner M 28 13:42
M 37 SF Plate Loser M 29 v Loser M 30 14:04
M 38 SF Plate Loser M 31 v Loser M 32 14:26
M 39 SF Cup Winner M 29 v Winner M 30 18.20
M 40 SF Cup Winner M 31 v Winner M 32 18.42
M 41 Shield Final Winner M 33 v Winner M 34 19.04
M 42 Bowl Final Winner M 35 v Winner M 36 19.34
M 43 Plate Final Winner M 37 v Winner M 38 20.04
M 44 Cup Final Winner M 39 v Winner M 40 20.34
Presentation Ceremony 21.04
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