Aussies opt for real pace ... 'Quadzilla'

NEWS: The Australian Sevens team has announced a major signing in Australian speedster Trae Williams, who has committed to the program until 2021.

Williams is a welcome boost for the Australian Sevens and their desire for more speed as Tim Walsh continues to build his squad for the 2019-2020 season.

Part of Australia’s Track and Field team for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Williams is the fourth fastest Australian of all time, with a personal best of 10.1 seconds clocked on 16 February 2018 at the 2018 National Athletics Championships on the Gold Coast.

As a junior, Williams – affectionately known as Quadzilla – played Rugby for St John’s Anglican School, Brisbane and played Rugby League for Souths Acacia Ridge.

Williams will travel to London with the squad as an observer ahead of Australia’s campaign at the penultimate round of the Sevens World Series.

Australian Men’s Sevens Head Coach, Tim Walsh said: “Trae is an exciting athlete to be joining the Australian Men’s Sevens program and we are looking forward to getting him into the program.

“We’ve identified that a key area we need to improve on is adding more speed to our squad and Trae is the combination of speed and physical ability.

“Physically he is in excellent condition to convert into Sevens and what he will potentially offer us in terms of speed out wide will add to what we offer on the World stage.

“Players with sprinting backgrounds have made excellent converts to the game such as the USA’s Perry Baker and Carlin Isles as well as our very own Ellia Green and we believe Trae’s transfer will be just as successful.

“He’s been a talented Rugby and Rugby League player in the past and I know he is looking forward to throwing himself into Sevens and mixing it with some of the best athletes in the world.”

Australian Men’s Sevens player Trae Williams said: “I’m really excited about this new adventure with the Aussie 7s.

“I’ve always loved Rugby and to be able to potentially chase an Olympic Dream is through Rugby is something I never expected but I want to grab this opportunity with both hands.

“The World Series is an exciting competition and after talking to Tim (Walsh) I really felt passionate about where this team is going and its ambitions.

“I can’t wait to meet the boys and get stuck into some hard work.”