It is always a thrill in spotting rookies before the season kicks off, quickly followed by the joy of being the one to say “see, I told you!” when they light up the field.
Until now, I’ve played the safer game, waiting until the pudding was fully eaten before declaring the proof.
Some sides have gambled more boldly than others this season: Argentina rolled the dice with five new assets on their team sheet, while GB women unveiled a milliner’s dream — 11 fresh caps, each stepping onto the HSBC SVNS stage for the very first time.
The opening tournament in Dubai was a carousel of box-office rookies, each bringing their own spark. Here are some who looked like hot property the first time out.
Will Cartwright
The new Aussie gun has come firing straight out the blocks in the season opener, demonstrating try scoring prowess with three under his belt from the first five matches of the season.
This included a brace against France to secure a final for his team. Both these semi-final scores featured his dynamo-like leg speed, which made him too hot to handle for would-be defenders.
Playing at a high tempo is often something young players take a while to get used to. But not this young man.
The highlight for Cartwright might have been singing his national anthem prior to his first final for his country. But that feeling will be closely followed by a superb in and out move in that match against the Kiwis.
The clip of his try has already become a ‘how to’ for up-and-coming wingers. Now firmly on his whirlwind route to professional sevens, Cartwright was playing club rugby back in July before being picked up in a combine event in September. Sevens fans should look forward to seeing more of him.
Luca Mignot
This young man saw the fruits of his personal global journey when he arrived at the biggest, most exciting tour in rugby and gained his first cap for France last weekend.
He has spent time playing in South America and has toured with famous invitational sides including French outfit ‘Seventees’ and the Ramblin Jesters.
Honing his craft in semi-professional events like the Safari 7s in Nairobi, as well as the domestic French competition InExtensio SuperSeries where he won the championship with the French Barbarians, he looked primed and ready for the biggest Sevens stage of them all.
A fine example of the joined-up approach being cultivated between the FFR and LNR in France, the sevens set up might be bringing through a purest who will, in time, prove to become a central pillar for the boys in blue.
Apete Narogo
Another young player off the remarkable Fiji production line, Apete Narogo said he has been driven to play sevens since he was nine years old. But I dare say it was in his blood since birth.
The young man from Serua, Fiji, admitted he used to skip school to go to sevens tournaments and whether his grades suffered or not, he was certainly given top marks by coach Osea Kolinisau heading into Dubai.
Whenever there is new talent coming out of Fiji your heart beats a little faster and when you see them perform in customary expressive fashion on the field the heart rate goes through the roof.
Apete crossed the white-wash for his first score in a moment that he can savour forever with the people he says he represents from the islands. His try was a gimme from teammate Terio Veilawa, but Narogo had done the damage with a half break and offload in the build up. This was, no doubt, a teaser for what is to come from the continuous cream rising from the abundant ambitious young Fiji talent pool.
Nalu Liufau
USA brought some fresh faces to the women’s competition, but perhaps the most memorable debut among them was Florinalaula’au “Nalu” Liufau.
She took the field in a shock victory over NZ in the group stages which will no doubt bolster this young group of women from the United States. Recognisable in part due to her malu, the traditional tattoo worn by Samoan women, Nalu delivered the same pace, power and enthusiasm she displayed playing for Belmont Shore, the famous Californian club from where she hails.
Carrying a smile and strong cultural awareness and heritage, Nalu promises to be a true catch for Emilie Bydwell’s team already on their LA 28 journey.
Braxton Sorensen-McGee
Bit of a cheat this one, as Sorensen-Mcgee comes into the HSBC SVNS spotlight with a bigger profile than most. She won the World Rugby XVs Breakthrough Player of the Year award for 2025.
She shone at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, catching headlines with her back-to-back hat-tricks in consecutive matches. And one of the all time greats of the sport and a Black Ferns teammate, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, spoke of Braxton’s “calmness, knowledge and maturity”.
These attributes will certainly stand her in good stead in the hot bed of competition across the next eight HSBC SVNS events. Used sparingly off the bench by coach Cory Sweeney, we got glimpses of the rising (or is it risen?) star, but there is undoubtedly more to come from this classy try scoring sensation.