The return of mighty Maurice Longbottom will light up the Commonwealth Games, according to Australian Men's Sevens coach Andy Friend.
Longbottom has not featured for the Aussies on the World Series since injuring his ankle in Hamilton during the New Zealand Sevens and the team has missed his spark dearly.
He regularly left opponents clutching at air as a star of the side that claimed the Sydney 7s crown and Friend is predicting a similar fate for defenders that try to stop him when the men kick off their Commonwealth Games campaign kicks off tomorrow morning.
"He has those little dancing feet which are pretty special," Friend said of Longbottom.
"We will be trying to inject him at the right time when opposition are slightly fatigued.
"He's one of the most electrifying players on the circuit."
Friend said the pristine turf at Robina Stadium will only aid the breathtaking speed Longbottom boasts in his arsenal.
"We went out to Robina yesterday and the track looks in outstanding condition," Friend said.
"It's a fast track and that's going to suit.
It will suit the Fijians, suit the South Africans but it will suit a bloke like Moz, too."
While he isn't a highlight machine in the Longbottom mould, the return of Boyd Killingworth will also boost Australia's gold medal hopes.
"Boyd, as we know, is one of the best on ballers on the circuit," Friend said.
"We certainly missed that at the tail end of Sydney and we certainly missed that in Hamilton, Vegas and Vancouver.
"So to have him back is a big advantage for the team."
With Friend's squad now set, all eyes turn to their opening pool match against Samoa at 9:31am on Saturday.
"They're a very physical specimen of rugby players and if you let them line you up, they're going to hurt you," Friend said.
"Our job is to try and run some lines and use our feet to avoid those hits."
The Aussie Men's Sevens kick off their Commonwealth Games campaign at Robina Stadium on Saturday, broadcast LIVE on Channel 7.
FIXTURES
Australian Men's Sevens pool matches
Saturday, April 14 (all times AEST)
9:31am - Australia vs Samoa
1:11pm - Australia vs Jamaica
8:05pm - Australia vs England
