AUSTRALIAN SEVENS TEAMS CONFIRM SQUADS FOR HAMILTON 7S
The Australian Men’s and Women’s Sevens programs have confirmed their travelling squads for the HSBC Hamilton Sevens tournament across January 21-22.
A party of 26 players departed for New Zealand yesterday, as both teams seek to start the year with a win.
The Aussie Women’s Sevens will continue the defence of their ‘Triple Crown’ in the new year, as they take on Japan, Canada and France on Saturday.
“We’re expecting our competition to step up, as we’ve found that teams are often just finding their feet in the first two rounds, and only really find their rhythm in the ensuing tournaments,” said Tim Walsh, Head Coach of the Women’s team.
“The team’s preparations have been very pleasing thus far – the playing group has knuckled down and been conscious of making performance-based decisions.
“The group is bubbling with excitement with Sydney 7s around the corner, so they’re keen to get on the field in Hamilton.”
After a refreshing break, the Men’s team will compete against Great Britain, New Zealand and Tonga throughout Saturday.
“The Christmas break came at a great time for us, as we were really fatigued after 12 months of tournaments and a few busted bodies,” said John Manenti, Head Coach of the Men’s team.
“We’ve been really pleased by the lead up to Hamilton and we’re excited by the opportunity to play New Zealand at home.
“A strong performance in Hamilton will set us up for a good pool in Sydney the following week, and it’s important we get back into the top end of the World Series for Olympic Qualification.
“We welcome back Maurice Longbottom and James Turner from injuries that kept them out of Cape Town.
“Dally Bird will get another opportunity after a strong debut, and Simon Kennewell has been brought into the 13-man squad for the first time in over 12 months.
“Henry Hutchison will again captain the team in Nick Malouf’s absence and he will be assisted by Stu Dunbar and Maurice Longbottom as his deputies.”
Both coaches will confirm their squads for the Sydney 7s tournament on 24 January.
AUSTRALIAN SEVENS TEAMS FOR HAMILTON
Women’s Sevens Squad
Lily Dick
Sharni Williams
Faith Nathan
Dom Du Toit
Teagan Levi
Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea
Charlotte Caslick (Cc)
Madison Ashby
Tia Hinds
Sariah Paki
Maddison Levi
Demi Hayes (Cc)
Bienne Terita
Men’s Sevens Squad
Henry Hutchison (C)
Stu Dunbar
Dietrich Roache
Tim Clements
Henry Paterson
Josh Turner
Dally Bird
Maurice Longbottom
Nathan Lawson
James Turner
Ben Marr
Trae Williams
Simon Kennewell
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