Aussies take 'settled' side to the World Cup
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Australian Sevens coach Tim Walsh has named a settled squad with Lewis Holland set to lead the side at AT&T Park in San Francisco.
Tom Connor is the unlucky man to miss out after the return of former Rebels speedster Henry Hutchison to the Sevens fold.
Veteran Jesse Parahi has won the race to be fit for the tournament after battling an ongoing knee concern that he picked up in Singapore.
The side finished fifth at the World Cup in Russia five years ago and have featured at all six of the previous Rugby World Cup Sevens, having finished second on two occasions (1993, 2001) and third in 2005.
Australia coach Tim Walsh said his side had prepared as much as possible for the different format of the World Cup.
“We are used to playing six games over two days and not four games over three days, so in order to replicate the Rugby World Cup format, we have adjusted our training and strategies to assist with our mental preparation. More so than ever our ‘Process driven and Performance-based’ thinking, is relevant,” he said.
“Liam (McNamara) has had a tough run with injuries over the last while but really came back strong in Paris last month to force my hand. He’s a great ball player with awareness, time and composure so I’m looking forward to seeing him play to his potential.”
The Aussie men open their campaign against the winner of a preliminary match against France and Jamaica.
Australia Sevens: Lachlan Anderson, Tim Anstee, Lewis Holland (captain), Henry Hutchison, Boyd Killingworth, Maurice Longbottom, Tom Lucas, Liam McNamara, Sam Myers, Ben O’Donnell, Jesse Parahi, John Porch, Brandon Quinn.
