South Africa, Fiji, Australia and England all have players in action this weekend as the Singapore Cricket Club Sevens and the Hyperion Gold Coast International 7s offer the perfect opportunity to fine-tune skills and fitness ahead of the 2009/10 World Series opener, the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens.
Many of Paul Treu's South Africa squad will be in action under the guise of the SA Vipers and defending their title at the Singapore event, which is celebrating its 62nd birthday.
Treu's players have already competed at pre-season tournaments in Windhoek, Middelburg and Brookside, but the SCC Sevens affords the World Series-winning coach one final opportunity to test combinations before the start of the international season.
"We still have a lot of work to do before we can travel to Dubai with confidence," said Treu, whose side will be defending IRB tournament titles in both Dubai and George, South Africa on the first two weekends of the season (4-5 December and 11-12 December).
"Singapore gives us the opportunity to try some new things and also to have a closer look at how some of the newcomers will perform in a very competitive environment."
Star-packed scene at Gold Coast Sevens
While the Boks are competing in Singapore, key players from Australia, Fiji, Samoa and England will be battling for the title at the inaugural Gold Coast International Sevens in Australia.
Pat McCutcheon will captain Michael O'Connor's Aussie Spirit side, which also features fellow internationals Willie Bishop, Shaun Foley and Clinton Sills.
Former dual code and Sevens international Andrew Walker leads the Aussie Legends team at the Surfers Paradise Rugby Union Club, while Sevens' leading all-time point-scorer, Englishman Ben Gollings will also be in action against Fiji's returning star William Ryder and national teammates Lepani Nabuliwaqa, Setefano Cakau and Mosese Volavola, who line up for the South Sea Drifers.
"Rugby Sevens is such a fun sport and we have to make the most of every opportunity to promote the sport and it's things like this that make it," said Spirit captain McCutcheon.
"I've been lucky enough to tour the world to places like Dubai, the US, Hong Kong, the UK and Italy playing rugby and I can't think of a better life.
"Playing on the Gold Coast is fantastic and the boys can't wait to play."
Women's World Cup winners return
The women's competition in the Gold Coast also offers a star-studded line-up, with a clutch of Australia's Sevens World Cup-winners in action.
Wallaroo captain Cheryl Soon leads the Sydney women's side, which also boasts the current IRB women's Personality of the Year and fellow World Cup winner, Debbie Hodgkinson.
Also in the Syndey line-up will be Kristy Giteau, sister of Wallaby Matt, who recently made her 15-a-side debut for the national side.
