We preview all four teams in Pool C in Adelaide - reigning World Series champions New Zealand, Tonga, World Champion Wales and a newlook USA Eagles side.
If you had told USA Sevens coach Al Caravelli two years ago that his team had been drawn in a pool with New Zealand, Wales and Tonga he might have bemoaned his luck, shrugged his shoulders and privately contemplated life in the Bowl quarter finals at the Adelaide Oval.
What a difference two years can make. In that time the former Argentina Sevens player has moulded the Eagles into a genuinely world class Sevens team - fit, dedicated and well-drilled.
In fact, he is now even going through the process of building a new side after seeing a first generation of Sevens successes fly the nest to tackle fifteen-a-side contracts oversees.
World Cup co-captains Chris Wyles and Todd Clever are now missing from Caravelli's squad along with Takudzwa Ngwenya, while there are other notable injury ommissions in Adelaide in James Gillenwater and Nese Malifa, but it is an extra credit to the coach that the new generation is good enough to immediately fall into place, adopt the same work ethic and compete in the same way.
"We want to try and make the Cup quarter finals in every tournament, and we were disappointed in Hong Kong," said Caravelli.
"The tougher the pool, the greater the rewards and I think that by putting these youngsters into that environment they'll either sink or swim, and I'm positive they will swim."
Having been groomed for the job, 22-year-old Kevin Swiryn has now taken over the captain's armband from Wyles, as well as the crucial centre position, and is setting about casting his own influence and inspirational qualities on the team.
"I'd already planned on Kevin taking over the centre spot and Chris (Wyles), not only did he lead in terms of being captain but also in tackles, three times as many as any other player on the squad because of the way we work our defence, and I think that Kevin's ready to rise to that," added Caravelli.
Matt Hawkins and Mark Bokhoven offer Swiryn experience in the forwards and Jone Naciqa an enduring quality in the backs but he will also ask a lot of young wings Justin Boyd and Thretton Palamo, the two Suniula brothers Roland and Shalom, as well as exciting newcomer Zach Pangelinan.
Pool C low-down
New Zealand
IRB World Series 2008/09:
Dubai: Cup SF lost v England 19-21
George: Cup Final lost v South Africa 7-12
Wellington: Cup Final lost v England 17-19
San Diego: Plate Final, won v Kenya 22-7
Hong Kong: Cup QF, lost v Kenya 7-10
Current Series Position:
4th, 60 pts
Adelaide 2008:
Cup Final, lost v South Africa 7-15
One to watch: Despite the tragic news that his younger brother had passed away overnight, New Zealand's vice captain Zar Lawrence played on for his country on days two and three in Hong Kong, and was comfortably their best player. Courage and humility personified, Lawrence is also the inspirational leader of the haka should the Kiwis win the Cup. Has returned to New Zealand to attend his brother's funeral but expressed a willingness to rejoin the teammates that mean so much to him in Adelaide.
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USA
IRB Sevens World Series 2008/09:
Dubai: Shield Final, won v Argentina 31-7
George: Plate SF, lost v Portugal 7-24
Wellington: Plate SF, lost v South Africa 0-22
San Diego: Cup SF, lost v Argentina 14-19
Hong Kong: Plate QF, lost 21-22 v Wales
Current Series Position:
8th, 20 points
Adelaide 2008:
Bowl final, lost v Argentina 21-26
One to watch: In the absence of the outstanding Chris Wyles, who has left the Sevens stage to concentrate on his budding 15-a-side career at club Saracens, Kevin Swiryn has taken on the role of centre and captain for the Eagles and leads by example. Is also the USA's second highest try scorer this season with 14, two behind Wyles.
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Wales
IRB Sevens World Series 2008/09:
Dubai: Bowl SF, lost v Portugal 0-24
George: Bowl SF, lost v Australia 19-22
Wellington: Plate Final, lost v South Africa 12-26
San Diego: Bowl SF, lost v Australia 24-26
Hong Kong: Plate SF, lost v Canada 10-19
Current Series Position:
11th, 8 pts
Adelaide 2008:
Shield Final, won v Canada 12-7
One to watch: Arron Bramwell and Ifan Evans both burst onto the scene for the reigning World Champions in Hong Kong and helped Wales live up to their new billing when many thought they would fade away. Evans is seriously quick, as he showed on a number of occasions, notably by running down England's Tom Varndell.
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Tonga
IRB Sevens World Series 2008/09:
Wellington: Bowl Final, lost v Cook Islands 10-24
Hong Kong: Plate final, won v Canada 14-12
Current Series position:
13th, 4 pts
Adelaide 2008:
Plate Final, won v Kenya 14-12
One to watch: A squad of fine talents who enjoy limited exposure on the Sevens World Series but always seem to excel. Sosaia Palei was joint-top try scorer in Hong Kong with six, while Ualosi Kailea also notched five. A dangerous team and one none of the big sides relish facing.
