Holland locked in for London return

Tue, May 22, 2018, 9:30 PM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
The Aussie Sevens have been boosted ahead of the penultimate leg of the World Series with Lewis Holland named as skipper. He joins Tom Lucas, Boyd Killingworth Triston Reilly, Liam McNamara and debutant Joe Pincus as changes in the 13-man squad.

Australian men's Sevens skipper Lewis Holland is locked in for a return at the London Sevens, one of six changes to a 13-man squad that will push for Cup glory at Twickenham.

Holland hasn't featured for Australia since injuring his hamstring in Vancouver, missing out on the Commonwealth Games campaign and Tim Walsh's first tournament in charge, a second-place finish in Singapore.

His return is a welcome one, adding playmaking nous to a side which went into Singapore without its skipper and senior players James Stannard and Tom Lucas.

The latter also returns to Walsh's side, with Stannard still eyeing a return at the World Cup in San Francisco.Tom Lucas will make his return from injury in London. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyBreakdown hound Boyd Killingworth slots back into the side, too, with the other changes a debut for Joe Pincus, a second cap for rookie Triston Reilly and a 13th man spot for Liam McNamara, who made his return from an ACL injury with Sunnybank in Queensland Premier Rugby on Saturday.

"It's great to welcome back Lewis and his experience," coach Tim Walsh said.

"I’ve had a large group of players to select from and this has enabled a strong team for the final two legs of the 2017/18 World Series.

"Joe (Pincus) has all the attributes to be a great Sevens player for Australia.

"He's done his apprenticeship and has been knocking down the door of selection for a while now and the whole squad is excited to see him make his debut on the Twickenham turf in London."

Walsh set his sights on going one better, having fallen to Fiji after the final siren in the Cup final in Singapore.

"We fell short in Singapore and we don't accept defeats no matter how they are perceived," he said.

"Five out of our six games came down to the last play and we won four of them.

"We need to be relishing the moments in pressure games and also learn to put teams away to avoid the games that should not be close."

TEAM

Australian Men's Sevens team for London 7s

1. Joe Pincus*, University of Queensland

2. Tom Connor, 6 caps, Warringah

3. Sam Myers, 35 caps, Norths (Sydney)

4. Lewis Holland (C), 38 caps, Queanbeyan

5. Ben O'Donnell, 8 caps, Randwick

6. John Porch, 18 caps, Norths (Sydney)

7. Tim Anstee, 18 caps, Eastwood

8. Triston Reilly, 1 cap, Randwick

9. Boyd Killingworth, 17 caps, Warringah

10. Tom Lucas, 25 caps, Sunnybank (QLD)

11. Maurice Longbottom, 6 caps, Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team

12. Lachie Anderson, 15 caps, Eastwood

13th man. Liam McNamara, 7 caps, Sunnybank (QLD)

FIXTURES

Australian Men’s Sevens fixtures at London Sevens

Saturday, June 2

Australia vs Ireland, 7:36pm AEST

Australia vs Wales, 10:42pm AEST

Sunday, June 3

Australia vs Spain, 1:48am AEST

Australia's London 7s kick off on Saturday at 7:36pm AEST, broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS.

Share
Spink 'itching to return' in Force boost against in-form Reds
Emerging local Super W talent excites Force vice-captain Leonard
Gordon's combine as brothers Carter and Mason reflect on Rebels debut
Waratahs centre Izaia Perese confirms departure to Leicester