While pace, power and brilliance can win you matches in Sevens, tournaments are usually won by experience, and in that regard Samoa look strong contenders in Dubai this weekend.

Not only have Rudi Moor's islanders benefited from the rigours of a Rugby World Cup Sevens qualifying campaign this year, in which they crushed rivals Tonga in the final, they also have the most caps among them.

In fact, Samoa are the only side to field no debutants at the season-opening Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens.

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Captain Uale Mai is the world's most capped Sevens player, having played 54 Series events. Even their greenest player Reupena Levasa has played in eight events.

Mark Tanuvasa returns to bolster the side and forwards Jerry Meafou, Ofisa Treviranus, Alafoti Fa'osiliva and Simaika Mikaele will provide half backs Mai and Lolo Lui with plenty of ball to set free the likes of Mikaele Pesamino.

If Samoa get it right they could be very good and possibly too strong for any of the opposition.

Defending champions New Zealand will still start as favourites in the eyes of many but, with four debutants in their ranks following injuries to Edwin Cocker and Nigel Hunt, Gordon Tietjens will hope that his big guns avoid injury.

Of the other top teams, South Africa arguably look the best equipped. Philip Snyman and Kyle Brown start a tournament for the first time and some notable stars are missing but in Schoeman, Mbiyozo and Horne up front, returning half backs Paul Delport and Mzwandile Stick and Benjamin, Ebersohn, Aplon and SA Sevens player of the year Refred Dazel outside they have talent to burn.

The Pumas name just one debutant in an otherwise assured line-up - the second most seasoned after Samoa's - while, of the lesser-known teams, expect Zimbabwe to spring a surprise; only Ryan Manyika is a novice at this level and they too have been toughened and conditioned by World Cup qualifying recently.

Of the 16 nations competing, Australia and Georgia blood the highest number of new players, each naming nine new faces.

A world of experience: Debutants by team

0  Samoa
1  Argentina
    Zimbabwe
2  England
    Kenya
    Portugal
    South Africa
    USA
3  Fiji
4  Arabian Gulf
    New Zealand
5  Scotland
    Wales
7  France
9  Australia
    Georgia