CAPE TOWN – New Zealand may have been the eventual champions, but they have just two players in the official Dream Team for the Cape Town Sevens that was concluded at the Cape Town Stadium on Sunday night.
Despite beating hosts South Africa 19-12 in the Cup semi-final and Argentina 38-14 in the decider – after losing 22-0 to the United States on day one – the Kiwis have only Tim Mikkelson and speedster Vilimoni Koroi in the seven-man mythical side.
The big forward Joe Ravouvou was perhaps the unluckiest of the champion New Zealand Sevens team to miss out on selection, as he was a key figure throughout the two days in the Mother City.
Ravouvou was also the player of the final after scoring twice against Argentina.
Surprise packages Canada, who went down 19-17 to the Blitzboks in the third-place playoff, also have two members in the Dream Team in the shape of Mike Fuailefau and Justin Douglas.
The South Africans, who left the capacity home crowd stunned in disbelief after going down to New Zealand, can only boast about captain Philip Snyman being chosen in the team of the tournament.
The Dream Team is completed by Fijian powerhouse Amenoni Nasilasila and Argentina’s Roderigo Etchart.
Your @HSBC_Sport Dream Team for the #CapeTown7s!
Who would you have picked? pic.twitter.com/hbMRavaBt4
— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 10, 2017
The Cape Town Sevens Dream Team
Mike Fuailefau (Canada), Philip Snyman (South Africa), Tim Mikkelson (New Zealand), Justin Douglas (Canada), Amenoni Nasilasila (Fiji), Vilimoni Koroi (New Zealand), Roderigo Etchart (Argentina).
The next tournament on the World Rugby Sevens Series circuit takes place in Sydney from January 26-28, with New Zealand drawing a tough Pool A against Fiji, Samoa and Russia.
The Blitzboks will take on England, Spain and Papua New Guinea in Pool C.
Sydney Sevens Draw
Pool A: New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Russia
Pool B: Argentina, France, Wales, Kenya
Pool C: South Africa, England, Spain, Papua New Guinea
Pool D: Canada, USA, Australia, Scotland