We take a look at the squad ins and outs of the four teams in Pool D in Wellington, which includes three Oceania powerhouses and Kenya.
Samoa - @manusamoa
Rd 1 - Australia: Cup QF
Rd 2 - Dubai: Bowl SF
Rd 3 - South Africa: 3rd
Rd 4 - USA: 4th
Series rank: 5th
Squad ins & outs: Samoa look to be resurgent under new coach Viliamu Punivalu, who makes two changes, notably replacing the injured Tom Iosefo with Lole Tualaulelei, and bringing in Patrick Faapale to replace the suspended Sani Niue. Two Cup semi appearances in a row for the islanders - much more like it, but Iosefo is a big loss.
Australia - @aussie7s
Rd 1 - Australia: 2nd
Rd 2 - Dubai: Bowl winners 9th
Rd 3 - South Africa: Bowl runners-up 10th
Rd 4 - USA: Plate runners-up 6th
Series rank: 6th
Squad ins & outs: Coach Michael O'Connor makes just one change from Las Vegas, but it's a significant one with the recall of fit-again captain Ed Jenkins, replacing Jordan Tuapou.
Kenya - @kenyasevens
Rd 1 - Australia: Plate runners-up 6th
Rd 2 - Dubai: Cup QF
Rd 3 - South Africa: Cup QF
Rd 4 - USA: Bowl runners-up 10th
Series rank: 8th
Squad ins & outs: Coach Paul Treu keeps faith with the same 12 players who finished 10th last time out in finishing Bowl runners-up at the Sam Boyd. No doubt he'll be looking for his players to find inspiration from their performance here last year, when they beat New Zealand to reach the Cup final, losing only in sudden death extra time to England.
Tonga - @rugbytonga
Rd 1 - Australia: Shield SF
Rd 2 - Dubai: N/A
Rd 3 - South Africa: N/A
Rd 4 - USA: N/A
Series rank: 16th=
Squad ins & outs: Captain Kilifi Latu and Paula Kata are Tonga's most experienced players with six tournaments under their belt, while they name three debutants - Feleti Atiola, Tevita Manumua and Samu Fiefia.
