Five reasons not to miss the women’s HSBC SVNS Dubai

From the greatest active sevens player on the planet to era-defining rivalries, new names to watch and a conundrum wrapped in an enigma, the women's SVNS Dubai tournament has just about everything you could wish for.

Here is why you should tune in with the pool stage kicking off on 30 November and finals following a day later:

1. Unmissable storylines 

Australia versus New Zealand dominated the women's 2023/24 SVNS season. The seesaw rivalry between the two best teams was so electrifying - New Zealand denied their front-running neighbours the league title by beating them in the final match of the regular season before Australia returned the favour in the final minutes of their Grand Final semi-final - that the duo's first face-off of the new season (likely to be in the latter stages of the knockout matches) could probably sell out the Dubai Sevens Stadium on its own. 

But thrillingly, Dubai 2024 is far from just a Trans-Tasman affair. In fact, it could well be a North American show. Since June's Grand Final in Madrid, Canada and the USA have placed themselves firmly on the top table. The former beat Australia and France en-route to Olympic silver, while the USA joined them on the Paris podium by also slaying the current SVNS champs. 

NZL v CAN in Pool C and USA v FRA in Pool B may well provide the highlights of day one in Dubai. 

2. Best player on the planet

With Antoine Dupont back in the 15-a-side game, just one of World Rugby's reigning Sevens Players of the Year will be in Dubai and she will be wearing green and gold.

Even among the non-stop try scoring nature of sevens, the extraordinary Maddison Levi (pictured) stands out. The 22-year-old has an almost ridiculous 150 tries in her 110 top-tier matches, enough to place her sixth in the all-time women's list already.

Sixty-nine of those tries came during last season's title-winning SVNS campaign. The Australian followed all of that by touching down a record 14 times at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.  

You are advised not to miss a moment this player is on the field. 

3. New names to watch

There is somewhat of a 'new school year' feel to the start of this SVNS campaign, with multiple nations freshening up their squads as the Olympic cycle begins again. This gives even more room than usual for stars to emerge and there is a feeling that Ariana Ramsey (USA) may just be one of those ready to bloom. 

Only injury has stopped the rocket-fuelled finisher from already stepping up to grab the limelight. With the likes of uber-famous teammate Ilona Maher taking a break from SVNS action, the 24-year-old Ramsey looks set to improve an already impressive record of 20 tries in 34 matches. 

Similarly, Teagan Levi (AUS) has had to cede the spotlight to others, in her case elder sister Maddison. But at 1.73m and quick the 21-year-old Levi, a hooker, can cast her own shadow. 

Thalia Costa (BRA) is a little different. The Brazilian, 121 caps and counting, will already be a name familiar to opposition coaches. But at just 1.55m tall Costa can sometimes escape attention. The blink-and-you-miss-her quick winger has scored 90 top-tier tries already and is a dream to watch. 

4. Watch out world: here comes China

China, despite preparing to make their SVNS debut on Saturday, are arguably one of the form teams in Dubai. They won three in three in last season's HSBC Challenger Series, getting the better of the likes of Argentina and Kenya in the process.  

China then went unbeaten in the HSBC SVNS Playoffs to grab promotion to the big time. A second consecutive Olympic quarter-final appearance - only losing to eventual gold medallists New Zealand - suggest they might be here to stay.

5. Defending champions with a point to prove

It seems somewhat wrong that defending champions and two-time SVNS 2023/24 event winners will start the season with a bit of a question mark hanging over their heads. But when you set standards as high as they have done, a loss to Canada in the Olympic semi-finals followed by defeat at the hands of the USA in the bronze-medal playoff has left some wondering which Australia will turn up in Dubai?

For fans it's a question that is almost guaranteed to throw up a thrilling answer. A squad packed full of established talent (see above) and nicely balanced with youthful promise suggests that they will come out swinging hard.