Two changes to Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens line-up for Cape Town

Dec 9 • General News, International • 1214 Views • Comments Off on Two changes to Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens line-up for Cape Town

Qantas Australian Head Coach Andy Friend has called stalwart Jesse Parahi and former Brumby Stephan Van der Walt into the Cape Town squad as the team looks to improve on its fifth-place finish at the Dubai Sevens.

The experienced Parahi has recovered from an ankle injury that prevented him competing in Dubai and will add valuable experience to the Australian forwards in a tough pool which includes hosts and Dubai Sevens champions, South Africa, alongside USA and Russia.

Australia lost only one match in the Dubai tournament, overcoming New Zealand (20-12) and Scotland (19-12) in two intense Day 2 matches to secure 13 points on the HSBC Sevens World Series ladder.

Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens Head Coach Andy Friend: “The team showed great ability and character to finish in fifth after a disappointing loss in the Quarter Finals in Dubai.

“This tournament is about taking our game up to the next level and proving our consistency across the two days.

“With five debutants last week, we showed the depth of our young talent we have coming through this squad and we are looking forward to getting back out onto the field in Cape Town.”

Of the five debutants named last week, Sam Caslick, Charlie Taylor, Michael Adams and Simon Kennewall have all retained their places in the squad after impressing Andy Friend with their strong performances.

All matches will be broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS.

Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens Squad, Cape Town:
1. Henry Hutchison, Randwick
2. Jesse Parahi, Aussie7s
3. Sam Myers (c), Norths
4. Alex Gibbon, Southern Districts
5. James Stannard, Aussie7s
6. Sam Caslick, Tribe7s
7. Simon Kennewell, Randwick
8. Stephan Van der Walt, University of Queensland
9. Ed Jenkins, Aussie7s
10. Michael Adams, Warringah
11. Charlie Taylor, Warringah
12. Boyd Killingworth, Warringah
13. Tim Anstee, Eastwood

Qantas Australia Men’s Sevens fixtures, day one:
Australia v USA, 9.27pm AEDT, Saturday 10 December
Australia v Russia, 12.48am AEDT, Sunday 11 December
Australia v South Africa, 4.56am AEDT, Sunday 11 December