Australian World School Sevens Rugby player Piper Simons born to tackle thanks to seven brothers

If you have seven older brothers you need to learn how to fend for yourself pretty quickly. It’s also part of the reason this world school sevens youngster is on a fast track to success.

Young Rugby Sevens talent Piper Simons learned to tackle thanks to her seven brothers.

She’s only 17 but Piper Simons knows exactly where she wants to be in a few years from now - the Olympic stage.

The teen Rugby Sevens talent has just returned from Dubai where she debuted for Australia A in the Invitational international played alongside the world series event won by the Australian women’s team.

Now the young gun from Manly on Sydney’s northern beaches is in New Zealand as part of the Australian youth side competing at the World School Sevens tournament in Auckland on December 17-18.

“It’s just so exciting and it’s cool to get to travel as well,’’ said Simons, who made her Australia A debut against the Czech Republic in Dubai.

One of the smaller players in her team, Simons still has plenty of experience holding her own in the game.

Piper Simons and family. Pic: Supplied

“I have a lot of brothers so I always tackled them in the garden growing up,’’ she said.

“I’m one of nine. We are a blended family with Sofie my oldest sister at 27.

“Then there's Archie, 20, Benson 21, Max 23, Zac 24, Max my stepbrother who is 19, Fraser is 21 and Connor who is 24.

Piper Simons in action. Pic: Supplied

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“They all played footy. They would let me play with them and they were tackling me all the time so I got pretty used to it.’’

Simons, who attends Stella Maris at Manly, plays her local footy with the Manly Mermaids but last year toured Fiji as a rugby league player.

“I made an Australian schoolgirls rugby league team even though I didn’t play league outside school,’’ she said.

“I used to play football as well with Manly United and have been playing touch for as long as I can remember.

“But once I started in Sevens I just loved it. I’m small but agile and I love the physicality of the game.’’

“The Olympic Games is a big dream, Hopefully Los Angeles in 2028.’’

AUSTRALIAN YOUTH TEAM AT WORLD SCHOOLS SEVENS IN AUCKLAND

Amahli Hala - Bond University - Kings College, Anaia Cruickshank - Manly Marlins - McKellar Girls Campus, Ava Wereta - Bond University - Kings College, Betty Koula - Manly Marlins - Our Ladies Sacred Heart, Edie Burke - Manly Marlins - Barker College, Ella Carlisle - Manly Marlins - Central Coast Sports College, Georgia Grey- Manly Marlins - Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College, Ivana Lolesio - Easts Rugby Union Club - Acquinis College, Leilani Hills - Easts Rugby Union Club - Brisbane State High School, Milla Elaro - Manly Marlins - Westfield Sports High School, Piper Simons - Manly Marlins - Stella Marist College, Ruby Nicholas - Manly Marlins - Pymble Ladies College, Shalom Sauaso - Marist Rise - Ipswich State High School, Tayla Sykes - University of Queensland - St Aidan’s

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