There is still plenty at stake as the Women's World Series heads into its fifth and final round of the season at the Stade Jean Bouin in Paris this weekend—including the overall championship. 

The three-day tournament kicks off Friday with pool play and is set to crown a 2018 series winner between either current leader Australia or second place New Zealand, which trails the Aussies by just a four-point margin in the standings.

Watch the Women's World Series Paris 7s LIVE on FloRugby

Likewise, the rest of the top five placements are set for a fierce battle, as just 11 points separate France, Canada, the U.S., and Russia.

Here are five reasons you need to watch the Women's World Series Paris 7s:

Championship Time

Despite another all-world season by Portia Woodman, New Zealand has found itself trailing what has been a very consistent Australian team. The difference in the two comes down to New Zealand's disappointing start. 

Both teams have won two tournaments. Both teams have finished second another time. Both teams have finished lower than second in another event. For Australia, that was a third-place effort in Kitakyushu, Japan, earning 16 points in the standings. For New Zealand, it was the opener in Dubai, where the Silver Ferns took fifth after a surprise loss to the USA.

WHAT A WIN! @USAWomens7s grab a shock win against @BlackFerns at the #Dubai7s to progress to the semi-final where they will face Russia pic.twitter.com/Se7GJxwExt

— World Rugby Sevens (@WorldRugby7s) December 1, 2017

With that setback, New Zealand got only 12 points in Dubai and so trails Australia 74 to 70 in the standings. 

To get back on top, New Zealand will probably have to win it all in Paris and hope Australia runs into trouble in the semis.

Eagles Chase 4th

Right now, the USA and Canada are tied with 44 points in the standings. Canada has the tiebreaker edge and sits in fourth, while the USA is fifth. Both teams will be shaking their heads at poor performances in Kitakyushu, and now each has a chance at redemption.

It's simple for both. Canada just has to match the USA in performance to hold onto fourth. The Eagles have to be better than Canada. It will all probably come down how each team fares in Saturday's quarterfinals.

Stats Race

There's really no way Woodman will be overtaken as the top try-scorer in the World Series. She has 36 entering this weekend's games, seven ahead of New Zealand teammate Michaela Blyde in second place. That's too much of a gap to overcome. So just sit back and marvel at the talent of Woodman and Blyde.

USA's Alev Kelter is second in points scored behind Woodman and will hope to hold off Blyde to keep that spot. France's Camille Grassineau leads the World Series in tackles by such a wide margin that she doesn't have to tackle anyone again and she would still be the best of this season. Only Ireland's Lucy Mulhall is anywhere near Grassineau, and she's not, really.

A Testing Ground

Can the Women's World Series handle another event? With the news that the circuit is coming back to the USA, this time in Glendale, CO, can we consider a World Series with six events? It's a tough testing ground for the programs. Do they have the depth in numbers and the depth of talent to handle increased injuries as the circuit gets longer?

Right now, the overall feeling is that we should be expanding the Women's World Series, not contracting it. Watch this week to see how spry the players are after a long season.

Something Called The Rugby World Cup Sevens

All of these players will be in San Francisco on July 20-22 for the Rugby World Cup Sevens. This is the final tuneup for that momentous event and it's especially crucial for what has been a relatively inconsistent USA team. While the Eagles have finished in the top three the last two World Cups, this tournament will be tougher than ever. 

Before the USA can worry about upending New Zealand or Australia, it should be concerned with France and Canada. And with the World Cup being a bracket format, not a pool format, there's no time to ease into it. Look for every team to try to start quickly.