DUBAI SVNS: The road to LA 2028 starts here

Well, that was quite a ride. Six sensational sunny Olympic days at the Stade de France, in front of more than half-a-million fans, while tens of millions more watched on screens around the world. 

The Black Ferns retained their Olympic title – probably the only predictable thing about the whole event. The rest was stardust and surprise from the opening moments until Antoine Dupont’s star turn in the men’s final, which won the hosts gold and ended Fiji’s unbeaten Olympic run. 

The Games saw panic from some of the big guns of the women’s competition: France were knocked out by Canada, who went on to defeat hot favourites Australia, and take silver. 

Alex ‘Spiff’ Sedrick ran the length of the field – when everyone else was flat on the floor – to set up bronze for Team USA. As she kicked the winning conversion, there was pandemonium in the hallways of NBC in New York. 

America is, we know, not (yet) a rugby nation – but emerging into the jubilation of NBC studios, it was clear the Olympic women had changed that. 

And one woman in particular: Ilona Maher. If you haven’t heard of her, you might want to check the settings on your phone. 

She now has more social media followers than Dupont, or two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi. 

Millions of Americans saw her and dance partner Allen Bursten finish second behind The Bachelor star Joey Graziadei and dancer Jenna Johnson in the hit US series Dancing With The Stars, and we’re all crossing fingers that she then soon returns to 7s, before showing up in England for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. Where ’Lo goes, fans follow. 

Four months on from the pyrotechnics of Paris, where are we now? A new season of SVNS is the starting point for the long road to LA 2028. 

The French fellas, even without megastar Dupont, are still basking in the glory of gold wherever they go.

The mastermind of their success Jérôme Daret has just been crowned World Rugby Coach of the Year at the World Rugby Awards – and quite right too. He’s since been appointed General Manager of France 7s, with Benoît Baby now head coach of the men’s team – so, no signs that France are easing up.

We’re going to see French ambition and dominance throughout the season. They have already set out their stall for defending their Olympic title in Los Angeles. Objectif 2028 lays out a detailed player release agreement between the union and French professional clubs between now and the Games. 

There will be solidity also from the Blitzboks, who are as focused as ever. 

After a weird old 2024, when they had to win the Monaco repechage to even qualify for Paris, they went on to walk away with Olympic bronze. The squad is virtually unchanged, and Phil Snyman has great depth to choose from. 

I saw them training in Stellenbosch recently: lekker, as they say down there. I wouldn’t bet against the green machine making it six straight titles in Dubai to start the season.

Fiji remain a threat – it’s something of a religious experience for them every time they play. 

After patching himself up to get to Paris, the great Jerry Tuwai is out of the picture. But with 22 winless series tournaments and counting for the Flying Fijians, and ‘only’ an Olympic Silver in the sock draw, head coach Osea Kolinisau will be wanting to break the drought, sharpish. So, strap in for some serious Fijian purpose and drive. 

Another contender for the men’s title is Argentina. Los Pumas are without ‘grandfather’ Gaston Revol, who has finally retired to join the family accountancy firm, while matinee idol Rodrigo Isgro has made his inevitable leap to 15s. But 7s guru Santi Gomez Cora will keep them right up there, with wonder boy Marcos Moneta trailing magic wherever he goes.

So far, so solid. 

But elsewhere: fresh faces, and a lot of change on and off the field.  

Take New Zealand, the rock stars of the game. Stalwarts Scott Curry, Tim Mikkelson and Sam Dickson have retired. Leroy ‘action man’ Carter has signed with Super Rugby’s Chiefs. Moses Leo has switched to rugby league. 

Black Fern legends Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Tyla King have moved on. Try-scoring freak Michela Blyde is taking a break. The end of a golden era for New Zealand Sevens? Or the start of a new one? 

With the Aussie women still licking their Olympic wounds, it’s rumoured that head coach Tim Walsh may move on this season. And the blokes have lost John Manenti to the MLR, with Kiwi Liam Barry taking over. 

They’ve also lost long-term captain Nick Malouf, who’s hung up his boots after many years of great service. Match-winner Nathan Lawson is another player code-hopping to league, and a few serious injury concerns, like points machine Dietrich, add more uncertainty. 

With the USA women riding high, the men have change to contend with: after three Olympic cycles Mike Friday has stood down as head coach. His former apprentice, ex-England, -GB and -Japan coach Simon Amor, starts the rebuild at their Chula Vista HQ. No easy task without two-time Player of the Year Perry Baker, and the world’s fastest, and nicest, Texan Kevon Williams. 

Ireland, too, are without a host of familiar faces across both teams – talisman Harry McNulty, former player of the year Terry ‘TK’ Kennedy, and a few others besides. Lucy Rock (nee Mulhall) will be missing after a grim injury dashed her Olympic dream, and sidekick Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe is giving 15s a crack. It’ll be tough for the Irish to repeat their 2024 performances. 

The Great British teams will fight the good fight, but may struggle once again without proper funding. It’s a shame – there’s a lot of talent there, compromised by lack of resources. Three big unions in the background – England, Wales, Scotland – who really could step up and lend a helping hand. 

Finally, a very warm welcome to Kenya after winning promotion back into the big show from the Challenger Series. We’ve missed you! You bring the best of energy, sell loads of tickets (not to mention a beverage or five), and – win or lose – your Shujaa Pride never fail to celebrate and entertain. 

And now I’m heading off to the Dubai desert, to start a Series that really is anyone’s guess. 

Lost titans, new talent, Paris afterglow. See you on the road.