Qantas Women's Sevens named for Asia Pacific Women's Sevens Championships

Qantas Women’s Sevens coach, Chris Lane, has named his side for the 2012 Asia Pacific Women’s Sevens Championships in Sabah, Malaysia this weekend.

The three day tournament will kick off tomorrow, Friday 31 August and wrap up on Sunday 2 September.

The Qantas Women’s will look to go one better than their last outing where they finished second at the Oceania Women’s Sevens Championships in Fiji earlier this month.

As they prepare for the 2012/13 IRB Women’s Sevens Challenge Cup and the Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 in Russia, the focus for Qantas Women’s Sevens coach Chris Lane continues to be development.

“We’re continually looking to improve as we move closer to the World Cup,” Lane said.

“This side has come a long way together and have worked hard off the pitch, it’s just a matter of continuing to improve on it.

“It’s also important that we continue to develop the younger women coming through the ranks and get some tournament experience into them.”

Lane has named a mix of youth and experience for the Asia Pacific Women’s Sevens Championships.

Led by captain, Rebecca Tavo, regulars Cobie-Jane Morgan, Shontelle Stowers and Sharni Williams will be joined by relative newcomers, Emilee Cherry and Alicia Quirk.

Lane has also injected five new faces into the squad for the Championships.

After making their debuts at the Oceania Women’s Sevens Championships just a few weeks ago Gemma Etheridge, Brianna Nathan, Katrina Barker, d’Arcy Sadler and Dalena Dennison will all be making their way to Malaysia as part of the Qantas Women’s Sevens squad.

Drawn in Pool B, Australia will face Chinese Taipei, Japan and Singapore on day one before taking on Kazakhstan in their final pool match on day two.

Should the Australians finish first or second in their pool they’ll move straight through to a semi-final clash on Sunday for a place in the final.

Information on the 2012 Asia Pacific Women’s Sevens Championships including Pools and the draw for Pool play can be found below along with the Qantas Women’s Sevens squad list for the tournament.