Following their debut victory at the HSBC Singapore Sevens last month, Canada head coach Damian McGrath has added more firepower to his squad for the HSBC Paris Sevens as Adam Zaruba returns from injury.
The 120kg power house missed the previous two rounds of the series but has recovered from a neck injury and is the only change to McGrath's side who made history in Singapore as they clinched their first ever world series title. McGrath also enters Paris with winning pedigree, having taken Samoa to victory at the tournament in 2016.
“It’s always difficult to back up after success,” McGrath said. “I have been impressed with how it’s affected the squad in a positive way. There is much more belief and determination around. We are there to be shot at, by all the teams and it is making sure that we are not overly confident.
“We were delighted by our success but understand that we are fighting to establish ourselves as a top eight team on a regular basis before we can compete for the cup consistently. The pressure of being defending champions will only really hit when we arrive in Paris, as I’m sure we will have much more media focus upon us.”
Canada squad for Paris: Luke Bradley, Jared Douglas, Justin Douglas, Mike Fuailefau, Lucas Hammond, Nathan Hirayama, Harry Jones, Isaac Kaay, Pat Kay, Luke McCloskey, John Moonlight (captain), Matt Mullins, Adam Zaruba
SPECMAN RETURNS FOR RSA
South Africa's chance of securing the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2016-17 title in Paris has been significantly boosted by the return of playmaker Rosko Specman.
The 28-year-old makes his return to the Blitzboks squad after missing the previous two rounds in Hong Kong and Singapore with a hamstring injury picked up in Vancouver in March. Specman was heavily involved in all four of his side's tournament victories in Dubai, Sydney, Wellington and Las Vegas.
The only other key change to the set-up is the debut of Dewald Human who comes in for Zain Davids, who has linked up with the Junior Springboks squad to prepare for the World Rugby U20 Championship in Georgia later this month.
South Africa can secure the title by making the final in Paris. They are currently on 157 points, 25 ahead of Fiji in second place. Victory in Paris would give them an additional 22 points, making them uncatchable in London. Second place would also provide them with 19 points, which combined with the minimum of one point for appearing in London, would also put them out of touch (barring a disqualification).
The Blitzboks have finished as runners-up in the past four series and captain Philip Snyman is remaining level-headed as his side enters the final two rounds.
“We have not started any of the eight tournaments this year looking at the log and will not do so for Paris either,” Snyman said.
“Our mindset and attitude have been a simple one this year and we will stick to it, as it delivered the results. We have worked hard, prepared well and all want to go out there to represent our country and make ourselves and our supporters proud.
“Boring as it may sound, the focus will be nowhere else but our opening game against Scotland. We have been successful when we found early momentum and that will be our objective again.”
South Africa will face Singapore winners Canada, Scotland and Japan in Pool A.
South Africa squad: Chris Dry, Philip Snyman (captain), Dylan Sage, Ryan Oosthuizen, Werner Kok, Siviwe Soyizwapi, Branco du Preez, Tim Agaba, Dewald Human, Cecil Afrika, Rosko Specman, Ruhan Nel, Sandile Ncgobo
