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Henry Speight has been selected to make his sevens debut in Dubai, included in Australian coach’s Scott Bowen’s 12-man squad for the opening round of the 2015-16 season.
Speight will not play Super Rugby in 2016, instead focussing on making Australia’s Olympics team for 2016, where they have already qualified.
Joining Speight as a debutant will be former Waratahs winger Tom Kingston, who will add plenty of pace to Australia’s attack, and Stephan van der Walt.
Ed Jenkins skippers the team that was runner up in Dubai last year, with Pat McCutcheon and Nick Malouf the two big outs – both unavailable for selection due to injury.
Australia head to Dubai having won the Oceania Regional Olympic Qualifier in Auckland a fortnight ago.
Bowen said the team was excited to go one better this year.
“Everyone is excited for Dubai. The boys did well at the event 12 months ago and there is no reason to think we can’t perform well this time around.
“The team is looking sharp and the players are fit and raring to go. As a group, we are battle-hardened having played in some high-pressure tournaments. When you add the fact we have three debutants keen to make their mark, then it’s a tournament for all of us – from players, coaches and fans – to look forward to.”
Australian Men’s Sevens squad for the Dubai Sevens
1. Henry Speight
2. Tom Kingston
3. Sam Myers
4. Lewis Holland
5. James Stannard
6. Con Foley
7. Cameron Clark
8. Stephan van der Walt
9. Ed Jenkins
10. Allan Fa’alava’au
11. Pama Fou
12. Tom Cusack
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