Aussie Sevens go for Asquith

 

Asquith will replace the injured Allan Fa'alava'au, who was ruled out for the rest of the 2013/14 Sevens World Series season with a shoulder injury.

 

Fa'alava'au will fly back to Australia immediately and will undergo surgery on the shoulder he originally hurt at the Wellington tournament last month.

 

Fresh from finishing fifth following their 17-12 win against USA in the Plate Final in Tokyo on Sunday, Australia has been drawn in a tricky Pool B alongside Spain, France and new World Series leaders South Africa.

 

The three-day event (28-30 March) is O'Connor's favourite on the World Series calendar.

 

"I'm really looking forward to Hong Kong. 

 

"I love this tournament, but sadly it will be my last opportunity as Head Coach of the Australian team to lift a trophy that has eluded us for almost a quarter of a century.

 

"The team can take a lot of confidence out of our performance in Tokyo having only lost two games, both by narrow margins. 

 

"This week it will all be about rest, recovery and review then prepare to play the Spanish, French and South Africans in Hong Kong," O'Connor said.

 

In-form Cameron Clark will be looking to replicate his recent form, having been chosen in the Dream Team in Tokyo last weekend. 

 

"His defence, particularly against New Zealand, was outstanding," O'Connor remarked.

 

Captain Ed Jenkins will miss Australia's opener against Spain as he serves the final game of a three-match suspension for a dangerous tackle on New Zealand's Tim Mikkelson in the Cup quarterfinal in Tokyo.

 

Ed Jenkins, Con Foley, Jesse Parahi, Sam Myers, Paul Asquith, Peter Schuster, Greg Jeloudev, Cameron Clark, Nick Malouf, Tom Lucas, Alex Gibbon, Afa Pakalani.