Two newcomers for Australia
The Australian Rugby Union named two newcomers in the squad for this weekend’s Wellington leg of the IRB Sevens World Series.
The team shows four changes from the previous tournament – in South African in December.
Thomas English and Cameron Clark have both been rewarded for their hard work at the recent tournament in Darwin, receiving their first call up to the Australian side up for the fourth round of the Sevens World Series.
Ed Stubbs and Daniel Yakopo, who are both returning from injury, have also been selected in the 12-man squad for the Friday and Saturday tournament.
The four new inclusions replace Bill Meakes, Danny Routledge, Jo Lalagavesi and Will Miller from the squad that played in Port Elizabeth last December.
Speaking from the team’s hotel in Wellington coach Michael O’Connor said the squad was one of the strongest and more experienced selected this series.
“Having Dan Yakopo and Ed Stubbs back from injury adds experience and leadership to the side,” O’Connor said.
“While neither have played a lot of international rugby recently due to injury both Ed and Dan are senior players who have performed on the world stage before so it is great to have them fit and back in Australian colours.
“Our two debutants, Cameron and Thomas, showed at the recent tournament in Darwin that they have the potential to match it with the best on the world stage.
“Cameron has been on the radar for some time, coming up through the schoolboy ranks, the junior gold squad and last year the youth Commonwealth Games, unfortunately though he has been hampered by a number of injuries.
“However he has shown when fit, particularly at last year’ s youth Commonwealth Games and up in Darwin this year, that he can be a very a valuable player in attack.”
The Aussie side, who are currently sitting sixth on the Sevens World Series standings after three rounds, are pitted against France, Canada and Kenya in Pool D.
With a potential quarterfinal clash against either Samoa or hosts New Zealand awaiting the Aussies on day two, should they finish first or second in their Pool, O’Connor said he expected big things from the group.
“We’ve got a strong squad of players who have worked hard, want to be here and are keen to enjoy a successful start to 2012,” O’Connor said.
“There are four players in this squad who took part in Wellington last year so they’ll know what to expect and I have no doubt their experiences will stand us in good stead when we’re being challenged by the opposition and possibly the crowd.
“With the team we’ve got I’m expecting us to be in the mix on the final day and really challenging for a spot in the Cup Final.
“We’ve got matches on day one against France, Kenya and Canada and if we finish first or second in our pool then we’ll meet either Samoa or New Zealand Day two, which is a challenge the guys are really looking forward to.”
Australia: Tomas English, Jesse Parahi, Sean McMahon, Ed Stubbs, Jordan Tuapou, Con Foley, Cameron Clark, Greg Jeloudev, Ed Jenkins (captain), Lewis Holland, Daniel Yakopo, Pama Fou.
