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Rugby Australia has today revealed the men’s and women’s playing groups headed for the Gold Coast next month to compete in the Commonwealth Games rugby sevens tournament.
It’ll be a new look men’s side for Australia, with nine of the 13 players selected making their Commonwealth Games debuts.
The men’s team will be looking to go one better this year, after claiming the silver medal at the 2014 tournament in Glasgow and bronze at Delhi 2010.
Just Tom Lucas, Sam Myers, Jesse Parahi and James Stannard remain from the team that finished runners-up in Scotland four years ago.
Men’s coach Andy Friend said the Commonwealth Games were a big moment for his side.
“We targeted three major tournaments at the start of the season and the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast was one of those.
“We have been in some good form this season so far but I know we still have room to grow with just under a month left before the Games.
“In this squad I think we have an extremely talented group of players with the right mix of youth and experience so I’m looking forward to seeing this team perform to the best of their potential on the Gold Coast,” Friend said.
For the women – who are participating in the Commonwealth Games level for the very first time – there’s a lot more continuity, with eight members of the gold medal-winning side from Rio 2016 making the trip to Queensland.
Women’s coach Tim Walsh said his side were relishing the opportunity to play in front of a home crowd.
“It’s always a privilege to play at home and something that we really enjoy but in reality, it’s the same size rugby field against the same number of players. The real difference is after the full-time whistle,” he said.
Both teams have been drawn in Pool B of their respective competitions. The men will tackle England, Jamaica and Samoa in their group, while the women will face off against England, Fiji and Wales.
Australian Men’s Sevens squad for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games
Lachlan Anderson, Timothy Anstee, Thomas Connor, Lewis Holland (c), Boyd Killingworth, Maurice Longbottom, Thomas Lucas, Samuel Myers, Benjamin O’Donnell, Jesse Parahi, John Porch, James Stannard, Charlie Taylor
Australian Women’s Sevens squad for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games
Charlotte Caslick, Emilee Cherry, Dominique Du Toit, Georgina Friedrichs, Ellia Green, Demi Hayes, Shannon Parry (cc), Evania Pelite, Alicia Quirk, Cassandra Staples, Emma Sykes, Emma Tonegato, Sharni Williams (cc)
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