Five reasons not to miss the men’s HSBC SVNS Perth

From surprise packages to resurgent heavyweights, the first two legs of this season's men's SVNS have set the pulses racing, and set things up perfectly for Perth to kick-off 2025 in style. 

With many to choose from, here are our top five reasons for tuning in:

1. Just about anyone could win

If anyone tells you they know who is going to claim the men's HSBC SVNS Perth title run a mile; they cannot be trusted.

There have been four different champions across the two SVNS tournaments (two men's, two women's) so far this season, but it is on the men's side that things are wonderfully difficult to predict. 

You would have got some attractive odds on South Africa (Cape Town) and Fiji (Dubai) taking the first two titles alongside last season's League winners Argentina failing to make a final and New Zealand ending 2024 sixth in the table.

All that is before you throw Spain (silver medallists in Dubai and bronze medal match losers in Cape Town) into the mix and consider Perth's HBF Park factor - the sold out venue roared hosts Australia all the way to the final last year. 

The only answer? Surely, it is not to miss a moment. 

2. Absolute humdingers everywhere you look

The above has the excellent advantage of increasing the jeopardy and importance of each and every pool game. Meaning those with Friday 24 January tickets are in for a real treat.

Take Pool A. It kicks-off with the small matter of Australia versus Argentina, a repeat of the 2024 Perth final. If the hosts can reverse their 31-5 loss, it will get the tournament off to a flier. Looking at the rest of the pool, containing Cape Town winners South Africa and the ever lively USA, whoever does lose that opener could be in trouble. 

You do not have to look much further for the next Day One highlights. Olympic champions France, narrow losers to South Africa in Cape Town, will go head-to-head with everyone's second favourite team Spain in the tie of Pool B. While eternal Pacific rivals Fiji and New Zealand face-off in Pool C. 

3. Fijians finding a new way to fly

While perennial sevens favourites Fiji had a pretty good 2024 - not many teams would sniff at an Olympic silver medal - their sixth place finish in the inaugural SVNS season was a disappointment. So, the Pacific Islanders' return to form, highlighted by a first world tournament win since 2022, has been a welcome, if perhaps foreseeable development. 

What has been far less predictable is the manner in which they have achieved it. Head coach Osea Kolinisau, captain for Fiji's first Olympic gold in 2016, has been transparent that his focus this season is on "defensive shape and fitness". 

It may not be classic Fijian way, but it has been highly effective. The 2016 and 2020 Olympic champions sit four points clear at the top of the table.  

4. Tonga fuelling Aussie expectations

Home success was a huge part of the incredible atmosphere at last season SVNS Perth or perhaps it was the other way round... Either-way, Perth residents young and old will be delighted to read that their men's team is entering the third stop on this year's SVNS tour with a renewed pep in their step. 

The disappointment of seventh place in Dubai and ninth in Cape Town has been replaced with genuine fervour around the debut of Hadley Tonga. The 19-year-old has long been touted as a sporting prodigy, drawing interest from a number of big-time Australian rugby league outlets as far back as 2023. Injuries have somewhat stalled his progress since, but all eyes will be on the teenager in Perth. 

Add to that the return of Wallaby sevens icon Maurice Longbottom and things are looking up for the Liam Barry-coached outfit, and their mountain of fans. 

5. 'Everyone's there for a good time'

Finally, do not just take our word for why you should watch the Perth SVNS, listen to a local legend. The 34-year-old Ian Prior knows his way round a rugby pitch, having played 110 games for Perth's Super Rugby side Western Force. And, having watched last year's Perth SVNS as a fan, he had this to say: 

"It's a great weekend, a great atmosphere around the whole city. It's got that different feel to a traditional rugby game, everyone's there for a good time and a party. But it's good for families too. 

"Perth's such a multicultural city, so there's lots of Irish, English, South Africans, Fijians and the New Zealanders come out too," Prior said. "It's fantastic."