A year ago the Pacific Coast Grizzlies fulfilled their potential to win the 2010 Men’s 7s National All-Star Championships, with Mile Pulu earning the MVP award.

And while Pulu was superb, everyone knew that the injection of pace from Isimeli Daveta didn’t hurt, either.

Head Coach John Tyler fashioned his team around Daveta and Pulu, getting smart role players to win ball and get it to the speedsters in space.

This year, it’s a different Grizzlies team. Daveta has not been chosen because he is not, yet, USA eligible. Pulu is back, but he is by no means the only star. Matt Byrd, not that long ago the MVP of the college all-star championships, and Miles Craigwell join Pulu in a potent backline. And of course the new sensation, Maka Unufe, could well electrify fans once more.

Tyler still has his role players, but they are very experienced, and often have some star quality of their own. Pate Tuilevuka has reinvented himself as a 7s forward. Mose Timoteo is the link between ruck and attackers, and Ben Green brings a worldiness from having played all over the globe.

It’s hard to see the Pacific Coast being challenged in their pool, but if they are, it will be by Southern California. Despite being with Shalom Suniula (pro club commitments), and Matt Hawkins (surgery), the Griffins can look to Belmont Shore champion and USA player Justin Boyd to provide a physical attacking flair to rival that of Pulu. They add to that lineup the classy Taylor Howden, a transplant from Denver, and Corey Council, a crossover who has shifted to SoCal because the West didn’t want him.

Add to that the constant presence of Peter Sio and the tireless Eddie McKenna up front and you’ve got a SoCal side, complete with some young guys with pace, who could challenge Pacific Coast.

The Northeast and South are not there to make up the numbers, but they will be challenged to match the other two teams in pure athleticism. The South is a very young squad, including 2010 Rugby Magazine U19 Player of the Year Will Farrell, and Mu Cabbell, a 20-year-old who played cornerback for Georgia Southern. Head Coach Julie McCoy is as technically proficient a 7s coach as anyone in the nation, and will have the South playing a smart game.

Sean Horan’s NRU side is certainly more experienced, with Duran Vota, Dom Wareing, Brennan Moore, but the guy to look at might be Peter Ondi. He was the high-schooler who showed up at the Mid-Atlantic open combine and blew observers away with his pace.

Still Pool A appears to be Pacific Coast’s to lose. The Grizzlies, however, have to go into the event thinking differently, or they might be in for a nasty surprise.

The Northeast is the frontrunner in pool B of the Women’s National All Star 7s Championship, due to begin tomorrow morning in Chula Vista, Calif. The NRU has the most experienced squad by far and should emerge as the top seed after pool play.

The Nessies have their share of 7s and 15s Eagles in Emilie Bydwell, Katie Dowty, Phaidra Knight and Kitt Wagner, and the Boston Belles have added some interesting talent. Ashley Clancy, one of the fastest players on the circuit this summer, makes her debut for NRU. She’s joined by Belles captain Emily Malkin and teammate Danielle Miano.

Only the Belles players made the trip to San Francisco in early August for the Club 7s Championship, where the team finished second to the All Blues, so the majority of the squad didn’t have to budget to West Coast trips during three weeks time. That wasn’t the case for the South, however.

Typically the Panthers are achored by a number of Atlanta Harlequins, easily the most successful and experienced team in the region. The Harlequins played at Club 7s nationals, and with the travel-heavy 15s season looming, there isn’t a single Atlanta player on this year’s team.

That said, the South will receive plenty of direction from Pat Neder and Lindsay Stephenson. The rest of the squad is filled with college players from NC State, Florida State, Auburn, East Carolina, Clemson and Elon. Coach Mike May pointed to ECU flyhalf Jessica Peterson as a player to watch.

“Jess is definitely an up-and-comer,” May said. “Her skill and ability to read the game will turn some heads.”

The South finished second to MARFU in last year’s competition, but the Panthers are a different team this year.

As the for the West, the worst that could happen is nothing, and the Mustangs keep their 8^th seed. Tracy Gola has been recently installed as West 7s coach and is running her first dual training session with the team this evening.

“We are pretty small in size and have a mixture of experience players,” Gola said. “I have a bunch of athletic girls who aren't afraid to work hard and will give 110% this weekend.  Our size will mainly come from Dee McGillivray and Sarah Wilson. Our speed will come from players such as Kathryn Pavao, Sara Edwards, Hannah Stolba and Rachel Muir. Each player has their own individual strengths and I'm excited to see the end product when we put them all together this weekend.”

Several players attended club 7s with Glendale in early August, and were exposed to some of the higher level play out there. Their leadership will be greatly needed as the Mustangs try to improve upon their ranking.

Will that confidence-boosting win come against the USA 7s Developmental squad? Likely not. Even though Ric Suggitt’s team in comprised almost entirely of college players, many have substantial 7s experience. Deven Owsiany, Katie Lorenz, Tyra McGrady, Frances Wherwein, Ryan Carlyle and Amelia Villines all have USA 7s caps.

“We have some new faces in the shape of sisters Amy and Ella Nabar,” Suggitt said. “They are both recent attendees of the open camp in Santa Barbara. This young team has some speed with Kaelene Lunnstrum coming straight in from 15s Nation Cup and complimented with Bex Seibach, a graduate of the USA U20 squad.“

Kimber Rozier, who was instrumental during the Collegiate All Americans’ win over Canada in Saranac, will be at the helm at flyhalf.

As Suggitt mans his developmental side, he’ll be scanning the field for any hibernating talent. It’s the players’ last shot of the summer to impress the national coach, as 15s goes into full force after this weekend.

Play kicks off at 10:20 a.m. PDT.