QANTAS AUSTRALIAN MEN’S SEVENS SQUAD, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

Jan 23 • General News, Sevens Rugby • 1655 Views • Comments Off on QANTAS AUSTRALIAN MEN’S SEVENS SQUAD, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

1. Charlie Taylor, 7 caps, Warringah

2. Simon Kennewell, 11 caps, Randwick

3. Sam Myers, 30 caps, Norths (Sydney)

4. Lewis Holland (c), 33 caps, Queanbeyan Whites

5. James Stannard, 43 caps, Souths (Brisbane)

6. John Porch, 11 caps, Norths (Sydney)

7. Tim Anstee, 12 caps, Eastwood

8. Jesse Parahi, 36 caps, Norths (Sydney)

9. Boyd Killingworth, 15 caps, Manly

10. Ben O’Donnell, 2 caps, Randwick

11. Maurice Longbottom, 2 caps, Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team

12. Lachie Anderson, 9 caps, Eastwood

13th man. Tom Lucas, 19 caps, Sunnybank

Friend changes two for Sydney showdown

Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens coach Andy Friend has made two changes to his side ahead of the Sydney7s this weekend at Allianz Stadium kicking off on Australia Day.

Veteran Jesse Parahi returns to the team while speedster Charlie Taylor has earned his first start of the 2017/18 season after impressing in Darwin last weekend at the Hottest7s. Matthew Hood and Jeral Skelton drop out of the squad that won the Challenge Trophy in Cape Town.

The Aussie 7s are in Pool D alongside HSBC Sevens World Series heavyweights USA, Canada and Scotland with Friend desperate to earn Cup Quarter-Final qualification to ensure a strong seeding ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games draw next week.

Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens Head Coach Andy Friend said: “We marked Sydney 7s down at the start of the season as one of our target tournaments, so we have an internal expectation to do well here. It’s crucial that we do perform to the best of our ability, not only because it’s on home soil in front of family and friends, but also because of its importance to the Commonwealth Games draw.

“We weren’t happy with our pool performance in Cape Town and so now we have to aim up against USA, Canada and Scotland. All three teams will be tough opponents so we will need to be at our best to beat them respectively.

“Jesse (Parahi), Charlie (Taylor) and Tom (Lucas) all played well in Darwin, and have earned their inclusion into the squad. As a squad, it’s now about trusting the hard work we’ve put in over the past six months, and enjoying the vibe and excitement about playing on our home turf,” Friend said.

Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens Fixtures, Sydney: Friday 26 January

Australia v USA, 8.12pm AEDT

Saturday 27 January

Australia v Canada, 5.15pm AEDT

Australia v Scotland, 8.04pm AEDT