Australia re-signs five young guns as they build for Tokyo Olympics

Jun 5 • General News • 949 Views • Comments Off on Australia re-signs five young guns as they build for Tokyo Olympics

The Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens team have secured the signatures of five future stars with Lachlan Anderson, Charlie Taylor, Boyd Killingworth, Dylan Pietsch and Tim Anstee all re-signing.

Killingworth and Anstee have signed through until the end of 2020 with the pair now setting their sights on the Tokyo Olympics.

Anderson has signed on until August 2018 while Taylor and Pietsch have extended theirs deals until August 2019.

Anstee, Anderson and Taylor were a revelation in the 2016/17 HSBC Sevens World Series after making their debuts under Andy Friend this season.

Qantas Australian Men’s coach Andy Friend said: “These are five very important re-signings as we build to the Commonwealth Games and Sevens World Cup next year, as well as the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.”

“Boyd has been a pillar of strength for us this season while Dylan has really stepped up since making his debut in Wellington this year. And Charlie has added some fantastic finishing ability since crossing over from rugby league.

“Both Tim and Lachie have really impressed in their first season on the World Series, and have earned the right to gain full contracts. I see the pair of them being crucial members of the squad through to Tokyo.

“Tim has made his intentions known signing through to 2020, and I’m hoping Lachie will follow suit in the next 12 months.”

“We will continue to lock in talent ahead of the Dubai opener in December, but I’m also keeping one eye firmly fixed on giving more players opportunities in the off-season as we continue to grow the playing base,” Friend said.

The Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens team finished sixth in the 2016/17 HSBC Sevens World Series, following a sixth-place finish in London last month.

A rights free photo of the Anderson, Killingworth and Taylor, alongside fellow rookie Liam McNamara can be downloaded here.

Boyd Killingworth
DOB: 06/04/1992
Club: Warringah NSW
Australian Sevens debut: Cape Town, 2015
Australian Sevens caps: 13
Australian Sevens points: 60 (12 tries)

Tim Anstee
DOB: 19/05/1997
Club: Eastwood NSW
Australian Sevens debut: Dubai, 2016
Australian Sevens caps: 10
Australian Sevens points: 60 (12 tries)

Charlie Taylor
DOB: 25/07/1995
Club: Warringah NSW
Australian Sevens debut: Dubai, 2016
Australian Sevens caps: 7
Australian Sevens points: 55 (11 tries)

Lachie Anderson
DOB: 27/08/1997
Club: Eastwood NSW
Australian Sevens debut: Sydney, 2017
Australian Sevens caps: 7
Australian Sevens points: 90 (18 tries)