The Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens squad has been named for the HSBC USA Sevens in Las Vegas next weekend with former Junior Wallabies flier, Liam McNamara coming into the squad.
McNamara has overcome a hamstring injury having missed rounds three and four of the Series and comes in for the injured Maurice Longbottom (hamstring). Matthew Hood is the other addition to the squad replacing Josh Coward (ankle).
The Sydney born-and-raised Hood will earn his first cap since playing for Australia at the 2018 HSBC Hamilton Sevens.
Australia will face Wales, Scotland and Fiji in the battle for Pool D as the Aussie Sevens look to gain some crucial Series points heading into the halfway point of the HSBC Sevens World Series.
Australia (47) currently sits in sixth place trailing England (55) and South Africa (57). Oceania region rivals Fiji (72) and New Zealand (76) sit in the top three with the USA (76) taking second position.
Qantas Australian Men’s Sevens Head Coach Tim Walsh said: “The next two legs of the Series presents a great opportunity for this squad to attack for HSBC Sevens World Series Points as we cross into the halfway point.
“The team has had a good look at Hamilton and Sydney and we have addressed some key performance areas.
“Liam McNamara is an aggressive attacking player, has a great Rugby brain and he is ready to lead the players around the field in his ball playing role.
“Matt (Hood) is one of the most explosive players in our wider squad and has been breaking down the selection door to be included in the 12.”
All matches from the HSBC USA 7s will be broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS and Kayo.
1. Nick Malouf (vc), University of Queensland, 32 caps
2. Jesse Parahi (vc), Norths (Sydney), 41 caps
3. Lewis Holland (c), Queanbeyan, 41 caps
4. John Porch, Norths (Sydney), 21 caps
5. Ben O’Donnell, Randwick, 13 caps
6. Jeral Skelton, Brothers, 8 caps
7. Simon Kennewell, Randwick, 13 caps
8. Michael Wells, Norths (Sydney), 5 caps
9. Liam McNamara, Sunnybank, 10 caps
10. Henry Hutchison, Randwick, 20 caps
11. Brandon Quinn, Gordon, 12 caps
12. Matthew Hood, Sydney University, 3 caps
13th Tom Connor, Warringah, 7 caps
HSBC USA 7s Fixtures
Friday March 1
Australia v Wales, 10.00am AEDT
Australia v Scotland, 1.01pm AEDT
Saturday 2 March
Australia v Fiji, 6.52am AEDT
