Pakalani set for Aussie 7s

 

Tokyo will host the next stop of the series on Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 March.

 

 After a mixed tournament in the USA, the Aussie Sevens team bounced back in Wellington following a gripping 12-10 Plate Final victory over Canada.

 

24-year-old Pakalani is looking forward to making his bow for the Sevens national side.

 

"The team is gathering experience all the time. We are all looking to build on both individual and team performance in the weeks to come and I'm excited to be a part of this.

 

"With just a few more events in this season's calendar, this is exciting times for Rugby Sevens in Australia. We've a young squad who are only going to get better and better. 

 

"There's still plenty to play for this year as far as I'm concerned. I have a chance to make an impression on Mick [O'Connor] and the coaching staff and I don't intend on wasting it," Pakalani said

 

Head Coach Michael O'Connor, who earlier this month announced he would be stepping down from his role, said: "I am more excited than ever to be coaching the Aussie Sevens team especially with the team a realistic chance for the Cup in Japan.

 

"We have a few new faces at camp and I firmly continue to believe that the future is looking bright for Rugby Sevens in Australia," he added.

 

The quintet of Shannon Walker, Tom Cusack, Lewis Holland, Lausii Taliauli and Pama Fou are all sidelined with injury.

 

With five rounds of the series complete, New Zealand (99) lead the competition ladder, with South Africa (97) just two points behind. Fiji (73) and England (68) sit in third and fourth spot respectively, with Australia (59) rounding out the top five.

 

The draw for Tokyo will see Australia take on England, Scotland and Spain in Pool D, while leaders New Zealand vie against Canada, Wales and Portugal in Pool A.

 

Second place South Africa is in Pool B with Argentina, Kenya and Japan while Pacific heavyweights Fiji and Samoa battle it out against France and USA in Pool C.

 

Australian Men's Sevens squad for the 2013 – 2014  Sevens World Series in Tokyo, Japan:

 

Ed Jenkins, Con Foley, Jesse Parahi, Sam Myers, Allan Fa'alava'au, Peter Schuster, Greg Jeloudev, Cameron Clark, Nick Malouf,Tom Lucas, Alex Gibbon, Afa Pakalani