TWO NEW FACES IN AUSTRALIAN SEVENS FOR LA
February 13, 2004 - 2:45pm
Story by: ARU
International rugby hits the USA this weekend, with the inaugural Los Angeles Sevens kicking off this Saturday (early Sunday morning ADST).
The tournament will be telecast live across USA and Canada on Fox Sports World, giving millions of viewers in North America the chance to experience the speed and excitement of international Sevens Rugby.
For the Ricoh Australian Sevens, it is time to regroup after losing key players Gene Fairbanks (foot) and Tom Carter (collar bone) to injury at the Wellington Sevens last weekend.
The new faces in the team are Josh Graham from Queensland and Tim Curran from the ACT (player profiles below).
Australian coach Bill Millard said Graham and Curran were talented young players who had the potential to make the step up to the next level.
"The Australian Sevens team is all about developing young players who have the potential to go on to Super 12 or even Test level in years to come, and both Tim and Josh have that potential.
"It was a big blow to lose Tom and Gene in Wellington, because they were both playing well and making a big contribution to the team. It will be a big test for Tim and Josh to step up to the pace of international Sevens, but they are both talented young guys and they will learn quickly from the more experienced players.
Millard said that the opening day of matches which includes pool games against Tonga, Canada and New Zealand would prove challenging to his young squad.
"Tonga are a very physical team that plays a great brand of Sevens Rugby. They beat South Africa in Wellington at the last tournament and with numerous flyers from their Rugby World Cup team they will be a big challenge," said Millard.
"Facing New Zealand in the last match of the day will also test us."
Australia will play Tonga at 11:50am (6:50am Sunday ADST), Canada at 2:56pm (9:56pm Sunday ADST) then New Zealand at 6:34pm (1:34pm Sunday ADST).
The Ricoh Australian Sevens team is:
Paul Warwick (captain) Manly, NSW
Adam Ashley-Cooper Norths (NSW), ACT
Richard Brown Wests, QLD
Tim Curran Canberra Vikings, ACT
Josh Fuimaona Gold Coast, QLD
Josh Graham University, QLD
Daniel Halangahu Sydney University, ACT
Luke Inman Sydney University, NSW
Jarrod Saffy Sydney University, NSW
Chris Siale West Harbour, NSW
Andrew Smith Norths, NSW
Rex Tapuai Randwick, NSW
Bill Millard Coach
Brendan Morris Manager
Alan Davies Physiotherapist
TIM CURRAN
Position: Fullback/Centre
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 95 kg
Date & Place of Birth: 9/5/84
Club: Canberra Vikings
State: ACT
IRB Sevens Tournaments: -
Representative Honours: 2002 ACT Schoolboys, 2003 ACT U19s, 2004 Brumby Runners
Tim is a promising young player who has had an unlucky run with injuries. He required knee reconstructions in 2001 and 2002, but he is now back to full fitness and is making a big mark at the Brumbies Academy. He represented the ACT in the U19s last year, and was set to make his debut for the Brumby Runners in February 2004 before being called up to the Australian Sevens team for the inaugural LA Sevens tournament.
JOSH GRAHAM
Position: Outside centre
Height: 189 cm
Weight: 90 kg
Date & Place of Birth: 10 January 1983
Club: University
State: QLD
IRB Sevens Tournaments: -
Representative Honours: Australian Schoolboys, QLD U19s, QLD Reds (4 caps)
Josh joins the Australian Seven team for the LA Sevens, replacing the injured Tom Carter. He is a powerful young centre who has made his way up through representative teams including the Australian Schoolboys and Queensland U19s. He made his debut for the Queensland Reds in 2003 against the Canterbury Crusaders and also played for Queensland against Samoa and Fiji last year.
IRB Sevens 2003/04 Schedule
Dubai 4-5 December, 2003
George, South Africa 12-13 December, 2003
New Zealand 6-7 February, 2004
Los Angeles 14-15 February, 2004
Hong Kong 26-28 March, 2004
Singapore 3-4 April, 2004
France 28-29 May, 2004
London 5-6 June, 2004
Standings after three tournaments
New Zealand 52
England 44
South Africa 44
Fiji 32
Samoa 20
Argentina 18
France 14
Australia 10
Tonga 8
Kenya 6
Canada 4
