After the unprecidented success of the inaugural Sevens tournament last season, the popular event makes its return this weekend in front of a sold-out Telstra Stadium. Fans have been booking for days for the huge tournament, which is set to be an even bigger event than last year, with all thirty six ASRL sides as well as several invitational squads fielding quality squads.

THE BIG GUNS
As always, the big guns from Premier League are expected to be the best performers on the day. Sides like Gold Coast, Wellington, Parramatta, and Perth with their star studded lineups are expected to dominate their pools. Lesser fancied sides such as Central Coast, Sydney, and Coffs Harbour are also expected to compete- as they're able to field their best players without others to drag down their performance.

THE OUTSIDERS
As always, Sevens is the ideal stage for an upset. Who can forget Japan defeating Wellington last year? Or Freemantle making it all the way to the semis riding on emotion alone. This year the sides who have plenty of emotion to ride would be the in form Capetown Ravens, the always dangerous Eastwood Pumas, and Premier League minnows such as Wollongong and South Melbourne.

THE INVITATIONAL SIDES
This year four invitational sides take to the field, and they're all perennial favourites. USA continue to improve with every season, whilst the NZ Maori side have been boosted by the inclusion of Central star, Harley Autitia. The European squad, in preparation for their debut World Cup, will also be dangerous.

But the fan favourites are the Prime Minister's VII, who always field a mixed bag of stars from ASRL clubs, and free agents keen to impress.

The best chance? Watch for NZ Maori and the always dangerous US side to compete.

FINAL WORDS
All in all, despite the prize money, the winner of the Sevens tournament is never as important as the event itself. Every year there are surprises, there are astounding chokers, and there are players who stand up and earn themselves new contracts because of their brilliance on the day.

In the final wash-up, the winner doesn't matter, it's the many memories the fans will go home with after two straight days of football action. Who can forget Allianya Takawira's length of the field intercept try in Freemantle's quarter final victory? Or Japan's immense upset in downing Wellington? Or even the hilarious antics of the Prime Minister's VII?

I know I'll be there, not only to support my beloved Oilers, but also to support league as a whole. This will be a great leadup to the World Cup.

Dennis Hahn,
ASRL Weekly Magazine