The 16 captains of the participating teams joined for the launch of the HSBC Singapore Sevens, round eight of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

After a 10-year absence, the series returns to Singapore and will be played at the new look National Stadium under a closed roof for the second time this season.

SINGAPORE SEVENS FIXTURES >>

Fiji are the defending champions in Singapore having won the last tournament back in 2006 and the current series leaders will be aiming to add to their five-point lead at the top of the standings in their defence of the series title.

"I always remember it (the 2006 final) because someone dislocated his arm in the final," said captain Osea Kolinisau. "I always remember that day.

"I was a student at home watching with my friends and family, I was nervous and always found it hard to sleep when Fiji lost. You would go to bed thinking about it and wondering why they lost, what they could have done better.

"But it’s a new destination for everyone and some of us didn’t realise we were reigning champions here as it was so long ago. It was brought up in a team meeting and a lot of people were surprised.

"We just want to continue where we left off in Hong Kong. Our communication in Hong Kong was key to us winning. In the semi-finals it just clicked, like a light bulb turning on and then everyone was just firing full cylinders."

MESSAM AND RODWELL TAKE CAPTAINCY ROLES

In Hong Kong Japan qualified as a core team after a victory over the hosts to ensure a return to the core sides for next year's series after a year's absence. Having also qualified for Rio as Asia's representative their attention can now focus on their road to Rio.

"It’s good for the Japan team to have qualified as it means that after the Olympics we will have a chance to qualify again for the 2020 Olympics if we can stay in the series," said captain Yusaku Kuwazuru. "It’s a good motivation for us and means a lot to the players and the country.

"Our defence was the most important part of our success in Hong Kong. We trained hard at it and were able to minimise the amount of points scored against us.

"Singapore is the last round before the Olympics for us so we are going to use this tournament to try and find the right combinations before we head into the Olympics against these teams."

Elsewhere Liam Messam, who won the Singapore Sevens in 2005, will captain the All Blacks Sevens in the absence of the injured Scott Curry and Tim Mikkelson and rested DJ Forbes, and James Rodwell has been named as England captain for this weekend's tournament, one which will be a record 69th consecutive series tournament appearance for the forward.