Australia call on 7s ace Faalavaau
Wallaby Sevens coach Michael O’Connor has made one change to the squad that played in Wellington a week ago, after scrumhalf Lewis Holland was forced out of the side through injury.
As a result, 18-year-old Victorian, Allan Faalavaau, has been brought into to the side and will make his international Sevens debut for Australia, having already made appearances with the domestic Aussie Thunderbolts in the Hyperion Paradise Sevens on the Gold Coast in late 2011 and at the Hottest Sevens Tournament in Darwin in January.
The young Victorian will join, Tomas English and Cameron Clark, who debuted for Australia last week in Wellington and with another young face being added to the squad, coach O’Connor is happy to continue building selection depth.
Speaking from Las Vegas ahead of the fifth leg of the Sevens World Series, O’Connor said Faalavaau had earned the call up through shear hard work.
“Allan played really well in the Gold Coast and Darwin tournaments, in fact he was one of the Thunderbolts better players, so he’s very worthy of a shot,” O’Connor said.
“We’re blooding a lot of young players this year and there’s nothing like experience to help development.
“You learn a lot from your losses. It’s just about getting these young guys used to the step up.”
A versatile back, Faalavaau is a product of the Australian Rugby Union’s National Gold program and represented the Australian Schoolboys against New Zealand last year.
O’Connor said his side gained valuable experience last weekend and had focused on support play and defensive structures in the lead up to Las Vegas.
“I’m very confident we’ll be better this week,” O’Connor said.
“We played a lot of good footy last week, we just came unstuck, but our blokes will be better for the run.”
The Las Vegas tournament will be held over three days, starting with pool play Friday Las Vegas time, followed by quarterfinals on Saturday and finals Sunday.
Australia 7s squad: Tomas English, Jesse Parahi, Sean McMahon, Ed Stubbs, Jordan Tuapou, Con Foley, Cameron Clark, Greg Jeloudev, Ed Jenkins (captain), Allan Faalavaau, Daniel Yakopo, Pama Fou.
