A lot more than the World Series will be on the line for the world's top sevens teams this year, as they aim to secure qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where the sport will be making its debut.

In fact, by the time the series wraps up in The Netherlands next May, the first four teams will be determined for the Games, along with hosts Brazil.

Last season's Series winners New Zealand will be captained by Sarah Goss after regular captain Huriana Manuel was ruled out of the Dubai round with injury.

Goss is expecting the Series to be tougher than ever, with Olympic qualification on the line.

"I think it's going to be a lot more competitive, the series has grown year to year and everyone is coming a lot closer to that top spot," she said.

"It's gonna be tough but we're really looking forward to seeing how other teams have progressed."

"We've got a few new young girls coming through, and we have older girls but with less experience on the sevens circuit.

"So we're looking forward to showcasing them in Dubai and throughout the season."

Australia won the Dubai Sevens leg in last year's Women's Sevens Series competition with victory over eventual champions New Zealand ©World Rugby


Australia won the Dubai leg of last year's Women's Sevens Series after a 35-27 victory over New Zealand in the final.

Their captain Sharni Williams is back to lead from the front, but even with Olympic qualification up for grabs, she is taking things one step at a time.

"It's all about Olympic qualification but we do have to take it one match at a time," said Williams.

"But definitely, we want to make top four at the end of the series.

"I've been around a while now but I've stepped back a little bit and let these younger girls start to lead.

"I was away at Women's Rugby World Cup this year and the girls took charge, and this is what we're about this season - growth and leadership.

"Charlotte Caslick is amazing and Emilee Cherry is exciting to watch, very fast and with only one season under her belt things are only going to get bigger and better for her and that's going to be exciting to see."

The tournament is set to kick off at the Sevens Stadium tomorrow, as the top 12 sevens nation's battle for all-important rankings points en route to Rio 2016 qualification.

As the women's competition comes to an end on Friday (December 5), the men's contest will take its place with the second round of the HSBC Sevens World Series.

Fiji took top points in this leg last year and currently lead the Series standings after victory in the Gold Coast in October.

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