DUBAI DEBUTS CONFIRMED FOR AUSTRALIAN MEN’S SEVENS NEXT GENERATION
Australian Men’s Sevens Team for Dubai
Henry Hutchison, 33 caps
Solomone Vosaicake*
Kristian Jensen*
Dietrich Roache*
Yool Yool*
Henry Paterson*
Joshua Turner, 6 caps
Ben Dowling*
Billy Meakes, 2 caps
Nicholas Malouf, 40 caps
Maurice Longbottom, 20 caps
Jed Stuart*
Corey Toole*
*denotes uncapped Sevens World Series player
The Australian Men’s Seven side has been confirmed for Dubai as the team looks to return to the World Series for the first time since 2020.
Headlined by the inclusion of eight World Series debutants, the new-look Australian Men’s side will draw on its core contracted playing group for a wealth of experience while also ushering through the next generation of Australian Sevens stars.
Brumbies Academy players Jed Stuart and Corey Toole highlight the new collaboration between the Men’s program and Super Rugby sides, with the 20 and 21-year-old (respectively) set to make their debuts in the tournament.
The Canberra-based duo will join New South Wales products Henry Paterson, Dietrich Roach, Yool Yool, Kristan Jensen and Ben Dowling in the side, with Solomone Vosaicake rounding out the eight debutants.
Former Melbourne Rebels centre Billy Meakes is also set to make his return to the World Series, returning to his debut tournament, where he was first capped for the Australian program in 2011.
Meakes, who is currently plying his trade in Major League Rugby, was a critical member of the LA Giltinis championship-winning side. Meakes is on loan to the Australian Sevens as they look to kick start their 2021-22 season in winning fashion.
Meakes will be joined by Australian World Series stalwarts Nick Malouf, Henry Hutchison, Maurice Longbottom and Josh Turner with the side to wear their new gold and First Nations inspired jerseys for the first time.
The Australian Men, drawn in Pool A, will face Canada and France and reigning Olympic Gold Medallists Fiji on day one of the competition before progressing through to the Finals on Saturday 27 November (local).
Australian Men’s Sevens Head Coach, Tim Walsh said: “After a long wait, the World Series kicks off again in Dubai, with eight debutants, seven of which were products of the program’s initiatives pre-Olympics, where we put together and created our own series to select and prepare players for Tokyo.
“Each of these players have a fascinating story, filled with determination and resilience. To award caps to a third of the players in one tournament is a humbling and unique experience that showcases a new era in our team’s future.
“A marquee selection for this leg of the World Series is Billy Meakes from the LA Giltinis. Billy will emulate Samu Kerevi’s Olympic impact thanks to the vision and support from LA Giltinis’ management team of Steve Hoiles, Adam Freier and their founder Adam Gilchrist.
“The engine room and the foundations driving the team into this new era are the world class players, and leaders, Nick Malouf, Maurice Longbottom, Henry Hutchison and Josh Turner,” Walsh said.
Australian Men’s Sevens Dubai Pool A Fixtures:
Friday 26 November
Australia v Canada, 6:00pm AEDT
Australia v France, 9:30pm AEDT
Saturday 27 November
Fiji v Australia, 2:33am AEDT
Related Posts
« Ringers Western partner with Queensland Reds as official Corporate and Casual wear partner Limited tickets for Vodacom Bulls home match »
