SA7s Pool D squads: ENG, ARG, SAM, ZIM
We round up the team news by pool ahead of the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens, round 3 of the HSBC Sevens World Series – here a competitive pool D featuring England, Argentina, Samoa and Zimbabwe.
England – Series ranking: 4th (4th in Dubai)
England are one of six sides in Port Elizabeth who are unchanged from Dubai, where they beat Wales to make the Cup semis but lost there to eventual runners-up, South Africa.
One to watch: Mike Ellery is still a relative newcomer but put in a strong performance last weekend for coach Simon Amor in the forwards as well as at centre and wing.
Argentina – Series ranking: 8th (Plate winners in Dubai)
Like England, Argentina’s squad is unchanged from Dubai where they put in a much stronger performance for coach, Santiago Gomez Cora.
Will be looking to emulate the kind of form that took them to the Cup semis here last year.
One to watch: Diego Palma gives them lots of pace and Axel Muller is an interesting athlete, having come from American football and represented Argentina as a decathlete.
Samoa – Series ranking: 9th (Bowl semi-finalists in Dubai)
Viliamu Punivalu was disappointed with his side’s performance in Dubai, where their Cup defence faltered on day one with losses to South Africa and Argentina.
He makes one change to the team for Port Elizabeth, the injured Misioka Timoteo replaced by debutant, Fomai Ah Ki.
One to watch: Lio Lolo is a strong player for Samoa, while captain Reupena Levasa and Alatasi Tupou are crucial to this new side.
Zimbabwe – Series ranking: N/A (Did not compete in Dubai)
Liam Middleton is back with the Zimbabwe team after a stint coaching in England but long-time manager Bruce Hobson will be missed as he steps away from the side after over a decade of service, as well former captain Jacques Leitao and Wesley Mbanje, who have also stepped down.
One to watch: The Cheetahs name a squad with five debutants as they undergo a period of change but still have dangerous pacemen in the likes of Gardener Nechironga and Tafadzwa Chitokwindo.
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