Parahi re-joins Australian Sevens set-up

Apr 13 • International, Sevens Rugby, Sevens World Series, World Rugby • 2576 Views • Comments Off on Parahi re-joins Australian Sevens set-up

The Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens program today announced that Jesse Parahi will re-join the squad from NRL outfit the Wests Tigers on a two-year deal, effective immediately.

The 26-year-old powerful ball carrier from Avoca Beach has won 33 Sevens World Series caps for Australia and represented his country at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Parahi last played for the Australian Sevens side in Auckland last November when he helped the team qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Jesse Parahi said: “I’m really excited to be linking up with the boys again. Rugby Sevens is close to my heart and always will be.

“I’m passionate about the game and have been getting up at all times of the day to watch the boys play. When the opportunity arose to come back, it was one I couldn’t turn down.

“I’m fully aware that I need to impress Andy [Friend] and the coaching staff and hopefully I can secure a seat on the plane to Paris and London for the last two rounds of the World Series.”

Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens Head Coach Andy Friend said: “I’m delighted that we have secured Jesse’s services. He had a genuine desire to come back to us and everyone in the Sevens program is well aware of the type of character he is and the quality he will bring to the group.

“Competition for places is always healthy and we now have a level of depth in the program that we have never had before.”

Parahi will be available for selection for the last two tournaments of the 2015-16 HSBC Sevens World Series season in Paris and London.

The Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens side currently sits fourth in the 2015-16 HSBC Sevens World Series standings on 105 points, 17 points adrift of third-placed South Africa.

Warringah half-back Josh Holmes has also joined the Australian Sevens program on a short-term contract and has been named in the touring party for this weekend’s HSBC Singapore Sevens.

Jesse Parahi Factfile
Born: 29 July 1989
Place of Birth: Sydney, New South Wales
Height: 190cm
Weight: 101kg
Representative Honours: Australian Schools (2007), Commonwealth Games (2014)