Following the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series opener in Dubai there are now two players leading the DHL Performance Tracker for 2018.

Returning from 15s duty in Super Rugby, former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Seabelo Senatla and Samoa’s Alamanda Motuga both finished up on a total of 50 points, with Scotland’s Darcy Graham on 43.

Senatla and Motuga were equal on offloads with seven points apiece, and as attack-minded players clocked up some impressive stats for carries, 22 for Motuga and 21 for Senatla. Typically, backs would score less on the tackle count but both put in a big shift in Dubai to score strongly, 14 for the Blitzboks star and 12 for Samoa's creative back. On breaks made, it was eight and nine apiece. 

South Africa flyer Senatla also scored seven tries to help his side to their first tournament win of the 2018 series and put them top of the standings with 22 points overall. The 24-year-old says his 15s experience has helped him build his game and strength which he has carried over into sevens rugby.

“It was the first time that I had played with guys for a long time so it was a real change getting back into it,” he said. “Sevens is so different but I think I have gained some new skills which can help me. It was great to be out there with the boys and it’s a real team effort to win in Dubai.

The next round of the series will be in Cape Town on 9-10 December.

 

DHL Impact Player Table - Dubai
POS Player Country Total
1 Seabelo Senatla South Africa 7s 50
1 Alamanda Motuga Samoa 7s 50
3 Darcy Graham Scotland 7s 43
3 Dan Norton England 7s 43
5 Tavite Veredamu France 7s 42
6 Solomon Okia Uganda 7s 40
6 Tila Mealoi Samoa 7s 40
8 Manoel Dall'igna France 7s 39
9 Jerry Tuwai Fiji 7s 38
10 Harry Glover England 7s 36
10 Kwagga Smith South Africa 7s 36