Sydney Sevens: Aussie women boost as star flyer Ellia Green recovers from injury

OLYMPIC star Ellia Green has made remarkable progress from post-Rio Olympics surgery and will play in the Sydney Sevens next week.

Ellia Green gives the Aussies a key attacking weapon for Sydney.

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OLYMPIC star Ellia Green and Evania Pelite have been added to the Australian side for next week’s Sydney Sevens.

Eight members of the Olympic gold medal-winning team will play in Sydney, the team’s first world rugby sanctioned event on home soil since the team’s victory in Rio.

The pair are the only two changes made by coach Tim Walsh to the side which played in the Dubai leg of the World Sevens in December.

Green underwent surgery after Australia’s historic success at the Rio Olympics but set herself the Sydney Sevens as her D-Day for return.

“Ellia (Green) is a remarkable healer and she has worked really hard on her rehab, which has been outstanding,” Walsh said.

“She’s almost back to full strength in terms of fitness and power.

Ellia Green is back after recent surgery.

“It’s very pleasing to have the fastest woman on the HSBC Sevens World Series coming back into the side.”

Brooke Anderson has been omitted from the team while Emma Tonegato has been forced onto the sidelines with an elbow injury.

Australia play Fiji, Brazil and Ireland in their group games at Allianz Stadium on Friday, February 3. The semi-finals and final will be played in front of what’s set to be a sell-out crowd on Saturday.

Australia team

Shannon Parry (c), Sharni Williams (c), Tiana Penitani, Chloe Dalton, Evania Pelite, Georgina Friedrichs, Charlotte Caslick, Alicia Quirk, Emma Sykes, Emilee Cherry, Ellia Green, Mahalia Murphy.

Matches

Day One — Friday, February 3

Australia v Brazil — Pool B — 1.36pm (EDT)

Australia v Ireland — Pool B — 4.18pm (EDT)

Australia v Fiji — Pool B — 7.00pm (EDT)