The countdown to the Australian Sevens campaign at the Commonwealth Games is on, with both squads named on Thursday.
The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games will be the first to feature Women's Sevens and coach Tim Walsh has named his strongest possible squad as his side strives to continue what has been a brilliant start to the 2017/18 season.
Having claimed gold at the Dubai and Sydney World Series legs as a response to a lacklustre season following their Olympic gold medal success, attention now shifts to the Gold Coast, which will be Walsh's final tournament in charge of the team.
"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 full-time whistle," Walsh said.
Australia's men have also tasted success this season, putting together a stunning run to win the Sydney 7s, ending a six year World Series Cup drought.
They also claimed a third place finish in Hamilton and have been a consistent threat to the traditional big three - Fiji, South Africa and New Zealand.
Coach Andy Friend has made no secret of his team's three big targets this year - the Sydney 7s, Commonwealth Games and Sevens World Cup - and having already ticked off one of those three targets, he has named a stellar squad to try and replicate the success achieved in Sydney.
"We targeted three major tournaments at the start of the season and the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast was one of those.
"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," Friend said.
Commonwealth Games Australia Chef de Mission Steve Moneghetti also congratulated the players selected in both squads.
"We welcome the selection of the Men’s and Women’s Rugby Sevens team, which are our second last teams to be selected for the Gold Coast," Moneghetti said.
"The Australian Men went close in Glasgow and we hope this team can perform as well, or better, on the Gold Coast while the Women have been so exciting to watch since their Gold medal efforts in Rio."
Ticket sales for all three days of Sevens action have been strong, with Sunday already sold out.
A handful of tickets remain for Friday, April 13 and the morning session on Saturday, April 14.
SQUADS
Australian Men's Sevens squad for the Commonwealth Games
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
*Commonwealth Games debut
Australian Women's Sevens squad for the Commonwealth Games
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 (c)*, 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 (c)*, 24 caps, ACT and University of Canberra
FIXTURES
Australian Men's Sevens fixtures at the Commonwealth Games
Saturday April 14 (times TBC)
Australia v Samoa, Pool B
Australia v Jamaica, Pool B
Australia v England, Pool B
Australian Women's Sevens fixtures at the Commonwealth Games
Friday April 13, Saturday April 14 (times TBC)
Australia v Wales, Pool B
Australia v England, Pool B
Australia v Fiji, Pool B
