World School Sevens Rugby 2022: Aussie youth team have speed to burn, preview, team list

They know their World Schools Sevens opposition will be big and aggressive but Australia's youth coach said his charges have something special up their sleeve. Team list

Waratahs young gun Oscar Jorgensen is in the Australian youth sevens team.

They know their World School Sevens rugby opposition will be big and aggressive but Australian youth sevens coach Michael Hodge said his charges have something special up their sleeve.

Hodge, who has coached the Oceana sevens team in the past, will lead a squad of 14 players in the Auckland tournament on December 17 and 18.

And he has wraps on his young team and their ability to hold their own at the event in New Zealand where they will be pitted against teams from around the world, including New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.

“It’s a good mix this team,’’ he said.

“It’s all the best kids from different programs like Colts, GPS, CHS, Queensland … the best kids around.

Hwi Sharples scoring in a XV match.

“They have come together really well, they have trained hard and I’m really impressed with how well they have played together and their cohesion which is very important in Sevens.

“They have all been excellent and close which is important in sevens.’’

Angus Staniforth playing against the Rebels in a recent national rugby series.

Hodge said the key to success for his side will be his young charges using their excellent speed.

“We are quick. We have great gas,’’ he said.

Omar Noureddine in a recent series in Sydney.

“We have some exceptional wingers, our forwards are quick and we need to use our speed to our advantage.

“We have height as well with Oscar and Archie Campbell and Beau Morrison all tall.

“We have speed on the edges and the small guys like James McGregor and Angus Staniforth, they are the fullbacks from Newington and Kings, are good.

“Then we have Hadley Tonga, Toshi Butland and guys like that who have proper speed.”

Hodge said the competition format means it is crucial Australian do not drop a game early at the event.

“The goal is to be in the final, they have never been in the final in this format before and it’s going to be hard to get there and when it.” He said

“But we are going for it. We will play hard. It’s a great opportunity to get a feel of a sevens tournament and a win.

“While we don’t know the opposition, we do know it will be tough.”

Hwi Sharples in action in Sydney.

AUSTRALIAN YOUTH BOYS SQUAD FOR WORLD SCHOOLS 7S

Aden Ekanayake (Barker College), Archie Campbell (St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill).

Jono Ryan (Knox College), Finn Watkins (Oakhill College), James McGregor (Newington College), Angus Staniforth (The Kings School), Hadley Tonga (The Kings School).

Rocco Gollings (Nudgee College), Oscar Jorgensen (St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill), Omar Noureddine (Eastwood Rugby Club), Thomas Klem (The Shore School).

Hwi Sharples (St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill), Toshi Butlin (Brisbane State High School), Beau Morrison (Knox College).

Read more from AMANDA LULHAM HERE