An interesting battle lies ahead of the Japan Sevens, which gets underway on Saturday, as the battle for Olympics qualification heats up.
After Vodafone Fiji’s win in Hong Kong, their third of the season, the top three in the standings on the World Series are now separated by just three points with Ben Ryan’s side second on 108 points.
The Blitzboks of South Africa, although having not won a Cup title in three rounds, sit first on 110 points, while New Zealand is third on 107.
With three rounds to go on the series – in Tokyo, Glasgow and London – and with Australia and England a further 23 and 29 points behind, the three Cup winners this season look set to confirm qualification sooner rather than later.
If England, who are fifth after six rounds, were to win the remaining three Cups on offer, New Zealand would need 38 points, Fiji 37 and South Africa 35 to guarantee their places in Rio.
However, a win for any of the only three sides to have tasted victory since the 2013 Wellington Sevens (22 tournaments) in Tokyo this weekend would put them one step closer to realising their dream.
Meanwhile in Tokyo this weekend, the side takes on Wales at 1pm on Saturday, Hong Kong at 4.18pm and England at 8.30pm.
The quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals will be played on Sunday.
You can watch the Tokyo 7s live on FBC TV and catch live radio commentaries on BULA FM.
