Wallaby Liam Gill and Melbourne Rebels flanker Sean McMahon are all but certain starters for the Australian Sevens rugby side in next month’s Commonwealth Games.
Provided the pair get through this weekend’s Super Rugby fixtures unscathed, they will be released to join the Australian Sevens camp next week and be included in new coach Geraint John’s final squad of 12 for Glasgow to be named on July 7.
Queensland Reds openside flanker Gill won a Sevens silver medal with Australia at the 2010 Delhi Games, while blindside flanker McMahon played his last Sevens tournament as recently as late last year in Dubai.
Luke Morahan, another former Wallaby and Delhi medallist was also set to be included in the Commonwealth Games team but the Western Force flyer has been ruled out of contention due to a minor hamstring injury.
It’s likely Gill and McMahon will stay with the squad after Glasgow and be on deck for the opening rounds of the IRB world series starting in October, which double as Olympic qualifiers.
“Nothing’s been confirmed (post Glasgow),” said Andrew Fagan, the ARU’s general manager of national teams and competitions.
“(But) Allowances have been provided under our high performance agreement with the Super Rugby teams that with this being an Olympic qualification year, we have access to some players up to the end of December.
“Essentially the alignment of access to players for the national Sevens team is the same way they’re aligned to the Wallabies.
“But Geraint needs to settle in, take a squad to the Commonwealth Games and get a feel for how he wants the balance of that squad looking.”
The agreement with the Super Rugby clubs dictated that teams no longer in finals contention would have to provide players for Sevens selection if required.
Queensland and Melbourne were supportive of the process according to Fagan, and if Gill and McMahon and other Super Rugby players are required post-Glasgow, further discussions will take place.
Michael O’Connor’s successor as coach, John – who has been coaching Canada – arrives in Australia on Tuesday and will lead his first training session at the side’s base on Sydney’s northern beaches on Wednesday.
John was keen on adding Gill and McMahon, and for that matter Morahan, to his existing squad because their Sevens background would allow them to adapt on a short preparation.
Crazy Horse
Guest
Yoou left out Hodgson who is only the highest scoring forward in Super Rugby AND the player with the highest tackle count too.
Max Power
Guest
I'm pretty certain he was in their system although not in their top squad. The talk when he was at Randwick was that the Waratahs were his last chance because he'd already been through the Reds and Force
PM
Guest
Glad you hnow what you are talking about ole mate. Mayby you should check out some of the Rugby young McMahon has been playing over the last three years both at Sevens level and Super Rugby. He has just turned 20 years of age from what i have seen he is one very tough young man with good pace good rugby head on his shoulders and great defensive skills. He has what it takes - i have no doubt he will go on to even greater things as he gains experience.
RollAway7
Guest
Foil hat stuff FOS but I love that I can count on you no matter how odd the reds conspiracy gets!
bryan
Guest
Hodgson?
Rugger
Guest
McMahon does not have size for 6 or 8. Neither does he have speed for 7. Good for Rebels not wallabies
formeropenside
Guest
He was never with the Reds, despite being a Qld schoolboy.
Rugger
Guest
Daveski and Max Power you miss my point. Nadolo needed to be brought into 7s fold to increase his aerobic fitness. Thinks Joe Rocokco. He was dropped by AB's and Tiejans brought him into to 7s fold. Rest is history, he found his mojo and was one of the best AB's. Also, aussie teams cannot get best out of him yet in Crusader environment he is leading try scorer. Does that say something about our Super sides and environment they have?
Michael Lee
Roar Rookie
You are right, that is the only scenario in which Gill would be the first choice openside flanker in Australia.... although within 12 months I think that McMahon will be better than him as well.
Moreton Bait
Roar Pro
Hooper should do some serious passing practice and play Scrum half - if he could develop the passing game he'd be an awesome half. (even with training wheels on he'd probably be better than White or Phipps!) Pocock should try out the front row and practice his LO throwing as a Hooker Gill, the best 7 of this generation. McMahon will probably grow into a robust 6 or, if not, he fights out 7 with Gill. Wallabies need all the best players in the team and on the field 9. Genia, Hooper, White 2: Moore, Pocock, Polota-Nau 4/5. Simmons, Skelton, Carter, Jones 7. Gill, Hodgson, Faingaa 6. Fardy, McMahon, Schatz 8. Palu, McCalman, Higginbotham Moore (c)
Daveski
Guest
Yes Nemani you may be 120kg and run like the wind but unless you are willing to chase Will Genia's box kicks with more enthusiasm and be more clinical in the rucks and mauls we think you're better off in club rugby.... If that's what Aussie coaches told him then they're daft.. Oh and FOS - if you saw McMahon play in the U20 RWC you'll realise he's now ahead of Gill in the pecking order of Aussie 7s Hooper Daylight McMahon Gill / C.Faingaa / Cottrell dead heat Pocock isn't included but geez we have some depth there even without him...
Fin
Guest
Don't worry FOS when it comes to the Olympics I'm sure Gill will get dropped for Hooper
Max Power
Guest
Nadolo was lost because he was too lazy to take advantage of the opportunities presented to him by 3 Super franchises. He was consistently told to work on certain areas of his game and he wouldn't, hence why he was let go from the Reds, Force and Waratahs.
Don
Roar Rookie
If we rested Simmons and Slipper then I would definitely call shenanigans. As it is we will be without Gill, Quirk, Genia, QC, CFS etc. Still, a good opportunity for some others to show their wares in front of a good crowd.
Harry
Guest
Cunning ARU plot to make sure the Tahs get into the finals ... next they'll insist Simmons be spelled for the final game against the Tahs.
Rugger
Guest
How about adding following to squad: Taqele Naiyaravoro, Nigel Au Wong, JOC and Rodney Davies, Karmichael Hunt. ARU needs to think outside the square. Another pro-type player - Nemani Nadolo - has been lost to Australian Rugby thanks to Mick sleeping in his role.
Don
Roar Rookie
Happy for Gill to be playing in the Comm Games but I was really looking forward to him going up against Hooper in a few weeks now he is fit again. It will make it a bit tougher for the Reds without him. Beau Robinson isn't an equal replacement.
redder than kevin
Guest
Your on the money FOS. Gill is clearly the better player, its just a shame me and you are the only ones to see it. I thought Link might see it but it seems he cant.
Bakkies
Guest
Why would you want in season league players. If they want to play Comm Games 7s they have to switch to Rugby and register with the ARU.
Michael Lee
Roar Rookie
Gill is just lucky that Hooper does not want to play in the Commonwealth games. He would keep him out of that squad as well.....