Rio 2016 looms large over this season’s Sevens World Series
Competition gets under way this weekend on the Gold Coast, with Olympic qualification an added incentive for top teams
With berths at the 2016 Olympics up for grabs, the rugby sevens world series will take on an extra edge when competition gets under way with the opening round on the Gold Coast this weekend.
The top four at the end of nine rounds of the series are guaranteed qualification for the inaugural Olympic sevens tournament in Rio de Janeiro in just under two years – a prize that makes this the most important season.
If anything, the All Blacks have an even tighter grip on the number one status in the shorter game and travel to Queensland as reigning champions, having wrapped up a 12th title in 15 seasons of the IRB series in May.
We’re here, like everyone else, to start with a bang
But after South Africa stunned the All Blacks by winning the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in July and Fiji edged them to win the Oceania title earlier this month, New Zealand will be keen to get back to winning ways this weekend.
"We're here, like everyone else, to start with a bang," New Zealand captain DJ Forbes said. "Everyone knows how important it is going to be with so much at stake. There is nothing in it between ourselves and six or seven other countries, so it comes down to consistency at each round.
"The Olympics is at the back of our minds, but we know we need to tick the boxes along the way and the Gold Coast is that first step and, hopefully, we can get our season off to a strong start."
New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji and England occupied the top four spots at the end of last season, and Australia are also keen for a bright start on home soil as they look to oust one of the quartet in the next eight months.