Michael Hooper’s exclusion has been confirmed but Australia’s men’s team have been boosted by the returns of Henry Hutchison and Darby Lancaster for next week’s Perth Sevens.
While Tim Walsh has named a formidable women’s squad as the 2016 gold medallists attempt to make it three in a row after victories in Dubai and Cape Town.
As reported last week, Hooper, the Wallabies’ most capped captain who is attempting to play a part in the Paris Olympics, will continue to increase his load before likely being rolled out for next month’s North America legs in Vancouver and Los Angeles.
“It is unfortunate to not have ‘Hoops’ available for Perth, however, we are looking to Paris and playing the long game with him – he’s certainly working hard to be ready as quickly as possible,” men’s coach John Manenti said.
Nonetheless, a month after making the Cape Town Sevens final, Manenti has named his strongest squad.
Hutchison, who has featured at two Olympics, returns for the first time since his devastating knee-injury during last year’s Sydney Sevens, while flyer Lancaster, who is being looked at for the Paris Olympics following his stunning 2022-23 sevens campaign, has been permitted to play despite joining the Melbourne Rebels this season.
“It is such a massive boost for us to get ‘Hutch’ back. He means so much to us and he does so much for the group on and off the field,” Manenti said.
“As we know, ACL injuries are tough to come back from, and Henry has worked incredibly hard to be able to make it to Perth – it will give us some additional inspiration.
“I want to thank the Melbourne Rebels for allowing us to bring back Darby Lancaster for Perth – he was with us all last season, so I expect it won’t take him too long to get up to speed with the guys; we saw what a great Sevens player he is all last season, so it’s a boost for us to get him back.”
The men’s side boasts plenty of experience, with captain Nick Malouf joined by Maurice Longbotom, Dietrich Roache and Nathan Lawson.
Matt Gonzalez also returns from a rib injury to give Manenti another ball playing option alongside Longbottom, who was brilliant in Cape Town after being eased back from injury in Dubai.
Australia will feel confident of making a run deep into the three-day tournament, with Manenti’s men grouped alongside Ireland, Great Britain and the USA in Pool B.
Meanwhile, Walsh has named just one new face in his women’s squad, with Heidi Levi coming in for the injured Demi Hayes.
Hayes suffered a knee-injury in Cape Town and is in a race against the clock to be fit for Paris.
Nonetheless, Walsh has named a formidable squad that has experience, ball playing ability, physicality and speed.
Flyer Maddison Levi has been named despite copping a suspension, which will see her miss the pool stage of the Perth Sevens.
But such is her athletic prowess that Walsh hasn’t hesitated naming her, knowing she will be primed for the finals.
The side has plenty of cover, with Faith Nathan, Kaitlin Shave and Bienne Terita offering plenty of speed too.
“Everyone in the squad is pumped about the opportunity to perform in front of our home crowd in Perth – though we are well aware of the need to be disciplined and focus on our performance,” Walsh said.
“We are not an outcome-focused team – we continue to adhere to our philosophy of ‘process and performance’. Our desire is to execute our individual roles and put on a show for Perth and Australia.
“We have selected a strong and experienced team which includes a debutant in Heidi Dennis, who replaces the talented Demi Hayes. Heidi performed incredibly well during preseason tournaments against the world’s best teams in New Zealand and Fiji.
“After a memorable debut in Dubai, Kaitlin Shave went onto score the winning try in the Cape Town Final to make it two from two for the Australian Women’s team. Kaitlin has retained her spot in the team and combines with our other speedsters Bienne [Terita], Faith [Nathan] and Maddi Levi.”
Australia’s women are grouped alongside Canada, Great Britain and South Africa.
Australia Women’s Sevens team for Perth SVNS:
2. Sharni Smale
3. Faith Nathan
4. Dominique Du Toit
5. Teagan Levi
6. Madison Ashby
7. Charlotte Caslick (c)
8. Kaitlin Shave
10. Bella Nasser
12. Maddison Levi
13. Heidi Dennis*
22. Bienne Terita
55. Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea
65. Sariah Paki
Australia Men’s Sevens team:
1. Henry Hutchison
2. Ben Dowling
3. Henry Palmer
4. Dietrich Roache
5. Tim Clements
7. Josh Turner
9. Matt Gonzalez
10. Nick Malouf (c)
11. Maurice Longbottom
12. Nathan Lawson
14. James Turner
23. Darby Lancaster
25. Hayden Sargeant
*Denotes potential debut.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Just noticed the AB7's squads are without a few star players, who include Andrew Knewstubb, Lewis Ormond, Roderick Solo, Kitiona Vai, Payton Spencer, Joe Webber & Tone Ng Shiu. so that's a Sevens team itself that's out with injury, as we see the Black Fern's without their captain, Sarah Hirini, along with Terina Te Tamaki & Kelly Brazier, out with injury as well. Fingers crossed we'll see a big majority of these players return a little before the World Series Sevens tournaments are completed.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Hahaha, you guys are tough over in the west
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
Mid 30s with the sun in your face…beer sales will be good. Glad we bought tickets on the other side where we will get some shade later in the day. As long as we don’t exceed 40C it would be great.
piru
Roar Rookie
Yes we're all looking forward to the cooler weather over here - mid 30s isn't hot
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Just looked at the Perth 14 day weather forecast, it’s looking extremely hot, mid 30s. Hard for the players & hard to get a crowd with those temperatures
In From The Side
Roar Rookie
Getting the publicity and advertising right to achieve this would require a level of competency within RA that has never been demonstrated.
In From The Side
Roar Rookie
The ladies are really playing well this year. Let's hope they stay injury free. A home win would be awesome
LifestyleSpecialist
Roar Rookie
To be honest I'll be surprised if Hoops makes Paris. 7s is so specialist these days and a young man's game that even a legend like Hoops is up against it. Also the men's team, at full strength, has good depth. Add Toole back and it's lethal.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yes, I'm so looking forward to this happening in Perth, with quite a few of the Squads having returning players to strengthen them. Should be a good one being only the third leg of the World Series.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
To me, Hoops signing is looking more as PR exercise or a Publicity Stunt !
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Good to see Darby Lancaster freed to play 7s. Pity Corey Toole not available but he's a far more proven commodity in the 15s, in fact I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the Wallabies this year. Raw speed always a weapon and he actually showed some pretty good rugby skills last year for the Brums. No Tia Hinds or Lily Dick in the womens team ... are they injured or on the outer? Strong looking squad anyway.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Tough for Demi.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Bit of wishful thinking to say Demi Hayes is racing to get to the Olympics, she did her ACL, like Sam Kerr she is out of the Olympics unfortunately.
AndyS
Roar Rookie
The sport has to have a brand before a team can. Sevens doesn't, and when that is the case despite an annual world tour, hard to see how it can.
dazell
Roar Rookie
The women's sevens team should be up there with The Mathildas as a sporting brand but it's a shame that they do not have the same public profile. Far more successful and wonderful athletes and role models.