Rugby
HSBC Dream Team packed with Impact Players
They would be a force to be reckoned with: the 2015-16 HSBC Dream Team made up of two Series Champion Fijians, a South African duo named for a second time, an American, a Samoan and a Frenchman.
For the fourth year, the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series named its HSBC Dream Team – seven of the series’ top players. Nomination takes into consideration players' performances across the season and previous nominations in the individual tournament dream teams.
The South African duo of Kwagga Smith and Seabelo Senatla were both named for a second successive year, and were joined by Fiji forward Jasa Veremalua – the 2015/16 DHL Impact Player for the Series – Fijian captain Osea Kolinisau, Samoan captain Faalemiga Selesele, American speedster Perry Baker – a rookie of the year nominee last season – and French powerhouse Virimi Vakatawa.
Jasa Veremaluadisplayed unmatched consistency throughout the season – competing in all ten rounds and racking up 116 tackles, 40 line breaks, 69 offloads and 135 carries to win the DHL Impact Player Award. He also outshined all others at the Las Vegas Sevens to win DHL Impact Player honors for that round of the Series.
Fiji’s Osea Kolinisau led his team like a true captain, making his presence known on both sides of the ball with 128 tackles and 148 carries. His 27 line breaks and 44 offloads put him only 13 points behind teammate Veremalua on the DHL Series Performance Tracker.
South Africa’s Seabelo Senatla put on a fan-inspiring show all season. The 2015-16 top try scorer (66) carried the ball 145 times and managed a whopping 72 line breaks. His 16 offloads and 107 tackles solidified his place as the third best overall performance of the Series.
American and relative rugby newcomer Perry Baker left defenders in his wake once again this season with his sensational speed. The 2014-15 rookie of the year nominee carried the ball 149 times and broke the line 64 times. USA Rugby’s speedster also displayed his all-around talent with 27 offloads and 78 tackles, earning him fourth place on the DHL Series Performance Tracker.
Samoan captain Faalemiga Selesele was also seen repeatedly at the upper end of the tracker throughout the Series. His powerful performance in Paris – which earned him the HSBC Player of the Final – helped led his side to their first Cup title since 2012. He was the sixth best player overall in Round 9 and was named to the HSBC Paris dream team.
Virimi Vakatawa may not have made the top seven for the Series overall, but he took home bragging rights to inaugural DHL Impact Award in sensational form at the opening round in Dubai. The Frenchman won it again on home soil in Paris.
Kwagga Smith is a breed apart – a master of raw pace, stepping and handling. The young South African flanker scored 17 tries in 44 matches in the 2015-16 Series, earning him a well-deserved place on the HSBC Dream Team.
Head over to World Rugby’s Impact Player page or check out the Rugby stream right here on DHL InMotion to read more about DHL Impact Players. And with Rio 2016 approaching, the conversation is sure to continue so keep following hashtag #DHLImpactPlayer, @DHLRugby and Facebook.
Five things you need to know about the DHL Impact Player Award
DHL is the Official Logistics Partner of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series
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