Walsh names Squad for start of 2018-2019 HSBC Sevens World Series in Dubai

Tue, Nov 20, 2018, 11:31 PM
Rugby Australia
by Rugby Australia
Maurice Longbottom returns. Photo: Rugby AU Media
Maurice Longbottom returns. Photo: Rugby AU Media

NOVEMBER 21, 2018

1.Lewis Holland (c), Queanbeyan, 38 caps
2. Jesse Parahi (vc), Norths (Sydney), 40 caps 
3. Nick Malouf (vc), 22 caps
4. Ben O’Donnell, Randwick, 9 caps
5. John Porch, Norths (Sydney), 17 caps
6. Michael Wells, Norths (Sydney), 2 caps 
7. Liam McNamara, Sunnybank, 8 caps
8. Tim Anstee, Eastwood, 19 caps
9. Boyd Killingworth, Warringah, 18 caps
10. Maurice Longbottom, Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team, 7 caps
11. Henry Hutchison, Randwick, 16 caps
12. Lachie Anderson, Eastwood, 16 caps
13. Brandon Quinn, Gordon, 8 caps 

Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens Head Coach Tim Walsh has named his squad for the opening round of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Dubai next weekend with NSW Waratahs’ player, Michael Wells to earn his first cap for Australia since 2014.

Wells has been with the Aussie 7s side since pre-season this year and performed well at the Oceania Rugby Sevens Championship in Suva, Fiji earlier this month.

Joining the squad as team manager will be Classic Wallaby, Rob Horne who will travel with the team to Dubai and Cape Town as a part of a wider push to have more Classic Wallabies and Sevens players work with the Australian Sevens program.

Australia will face off against Japan, Canada and England in Pool D as they fight to progress to the Quarter Final stages.

Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens Head Coach, Tim Walsh said: “The team has worked hard throughout pre-season and we have been looking forward to the World Series kicking off and getting our campaign underway.

“Michael (Wells) is really excited about his returning cap for Australia. He played well at the Oceania Sevens Championship and is always looking to improve himself in Sevens.

“We have a challenging Pool with three sides that can really do some damage on the field. For us it will be about making sure our preparation is World Class and executing our plans.

“We want to start and finish this season without any regret.”

On Classic Wallaby Rob Horne joining the squad as team manager, Walsh said.

“Rob is just looking forward to getting back involved in Australian Rugby and he has a lot to offer the team and the program. 

“We want to have more engagement with former Aussie Sevens players and Classic Wallabies with this squad and with what we have done already the players have really responded strongly.”

The Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens campaign in Dubai will be broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS.

Day 1 fixtures
Friday 30 November
Australia v Japan, 6.36pm AEDT
Australia v Canada, 10.20pm AEDT
Saturday 1 December
Australia v England, 3.37am AEDT

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