Australian sevens rugby squads unveiled for Commonwealth Games

AUSTRALIA has unveiled its sevens rugby squads for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, with the code making its women’s debut at the tournament and the men looking to better their bronze medal from four years ago.

Australia sevens captains Sharni Williams, Lewis Holland and Shannon Parry.

AUSTRALIA has unveiled its sevens squads for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, with the code making its women’s debut at the tournament and the men looking to better their bronze medal from four years ago.

There are no major surprises in either squad, with Tim Walsh’s World Series leading women’s side starting favourites on home soil for the tournament kicking off on April 13.

Andy Friend’s men are fourth on the World Series standings and both coaches have had the luxury of naming the same squads that won the Sydney Sevens tournament in February.

“We’re a really process driven team so we know that we’ve prepared well and we’re ready to walk off the field after the last game without any regret,” Walsh said.

“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 fulltime whistle.”

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Australia celebrate victory after defeating South Africa at Allianz Stadium.

The Aussie women have been drawn in Pool B with Fiji, Wales and England while the men will meet Samoa, England and Jamaica in Pool B.

“We targeted three major tournaments at the start of the season and the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast was one of those,” Friend said.

“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.”

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Emma Tonegato, Charlotte Caslick and Dominique du Toit of Australia celebrate.

Australian women’s sevens squad

Charlotte Caslick, 24 caps, QLD and Bond University

Emilee Cherry, 26 caps, QLD and University of Queensland

Dominique Du Toit, 7 caps, QLD and Macquarie University

Georgina Friedrichs, 8 caps, QLD and University of Tasmania

Ellia Green, 19 caps, VIC and University of Tasmania

Demi Hayes, 4 caps, QLD and Griffith University

Shannon Parry (co-captain), 25 caps, QLD and Griffith University

Evania Pelite, 15 caps, QLD and University of Adelaide

Alicia Quirk, 23 caps, NSW and University of New England

Cassandra Staples, 4 caps, NSW and University of Canberra

Emma Sykes, 7 caps, QLD and University of Queensland

Emma Tonegato, 19 caps, NSW and University of Adelaide

Sharni Williams (co-captain), 24 caps, ACT and University of Canberra

Australian men’s sevens squad

Lachlan Anderson, 13 caps, Eastwood NSW

Timothy Anstee, 16 caps, Eastwood NSW

Thomas Connor, 4 caps, Warringah NSW

Lewis Holland (c), 36 caps, Queanbeyan

Boyd Killingworth, 16 caps, Warringah NSW

Maurice Longbottom, 4 caps, Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team

Thomas Lucas, 23 caps, Sunnybank QLD

Samuel Myers, 32 caps, Norths NSW

Benjamin O’Donnell, 6 caps, Randwick NSW

Jesse Parahi, 39 caps, Norths NSW

John Porch, 15 caps, Norths NSW

James Stannard, 47 caps, Souths QLD

Charlie Taylor, 11 caps, Manly NSW

Originally published as Australian sevens rugby squads unveiled for Commonwealth Games